Dan Goodleaf

Ambassador thrilled with award

By Rob McKinley
Windspeaker Staff Writer

Taking hold of his National Aboriginal Achievement Award helped warm Dan Goodleaf against Toronto's winter bite, which was quite the contrast from the warm temperatures he experiences every day at his posting at the Canadian Embassy in Costa Rica.

Goodleaf, Canada's Ambassador to Costa Rica, was the recipient of the award in the Public Service category.

Since graduating with a degree in political science from Loyola University in 1971, Goodleaf has made a life for himself in the public sector.

For the last two years, he has been representing Canada in the Central American country. Prior to that, Goodleaf served in a variety of positions. He was appointed director of the Native Citizens' Directorate in 1977. He then served as regional director general of Saskatchewan with Indian Affairs, and was soon promoted to the office of the Privy Council where he served as assistant secretary of the Cabinet on Social Development. In 1992, he was the first Aboriginal person appointed to the office of deputy minister in the federal government, as the deputy minister of Indian and Northern Affairs. He held that post from 1991 to 1995.

During his time with Indian Affairs, Goodleaf played a major role in settling land claim issues and treaties. He played a big part in the negotiations over Canada's newest territory, Nunavut. He was instrumental in the creation of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples and the Indian Claims Commission.

With his national, and now international portfolios, Goodleaf has long been a role model for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people.

Contacted at his office in San Jose, Costa Rica following the award presentation, Goodleaf said he was very surprised and very honored with the award.

"I was a bit surprised," said the 49-year-old Mohawk. "Then I was quite thrilled and honored."

Although receiving the award for his years of public service and commitment to Aboriginal people and the country, Goodleaf said his was just a small portion of a much greater event. The whole idea behind the National Aboriginal Achievement Awards is a great thing, he said. The night was a special one, not only for himself, but for all of Canada's Aboriginal people.

"It wasn't just the personal tribute which I found gratifying," he said. "I appreciate having received the award, but it's more than that. It's an evening put aside to celebrate the achievements of all Aboriginal people in Canada."

Goodleaf had nothing but praise for his fellow award recipients. The ambassador even sounded humbled to be sharing the honor with the other recipients.

On receiving his award, Goodleaf told the crowd that the awards were not only for the personal, individual efforts of the recipients, but for all Aboriginal people and the impression that the rest of society has of them.

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