Husky Energy executive named honorary chief

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"It was a fair trade and an honorable exchange of gifts," said the Elders during the opening ceremonies at the Frog Lake Millennium Powwow.

In a ceremony held on Saturday evening, Aug. 26, Chief Thomas Abraham presented Husky Energy Company's chief executive officer John C. S. Lau with a yellow chief's bonnet and a new name.

Lau was made an honorary chief of the Frog Lake First Nation and was given the Cree name, Chief Earth Child.

Acknowledging the friendship and deep respect between the First Nation and Husky Energy, Lau reciprocated with two corporate gifts.

He announced Husky's sponsorship of this year's powwow, $200,000, and the establishment of a five year, $3,000 per year post-secondary education scholarship for band members.

He also demonstrated a cultural sensitivity that brought smiles to the faces of the Elders.

There is an ancient Plains Cree custom firmly entrenched in traditional ways: If a person is given a gift, he or she must give one back, equal or better than the gift received.

As a matter of tribal honor among the nomadic people of the plains, wealth and greatness of spirit were shown by what you gave away, not by what you kept.

The warm expressions of thanks given by Chief Abraham and Honorary Chief Lau and the thunderous round of approval from Elders, band members, dancers and visitors, left no one present in doubt of the mutual respect and trust shared Husky and the Frog Lake band, secured and honored by a traditional exchange of gifts.

"As CEO of Husky, John Lau has shown his long-term commitment to the Frog Lake people. Under his leadership, Husky and Frog Lake First Nation have built a strong relationship based on trust.

"This occasion marks a step towards private industry and First Nations people working together. Today, we recognize John Lau for his vision and wisdom," said Chief Abraham.

In a speech following the ceremony, Lau expressed warm thanks for his new name, headdress, hand-carved walking stick and ceremonial leather case.

"I am truly grateful for this honor, very meaningful to me because it is a sign of respect and trust. Mutual respect and trust are the foundation of the relationship between Husky and the Frog Lake First Nation. As we continue to work, learn and celebrate together, this bond will become even stronger," said Lau.

Husky's activities on the Frog Lake Reserve began in the early 1980s. The company currently produces 850 barrels a day of oil and 2.5 million cubic feet of gas a day on band territory.

Husky and Frog Lake have recently signed a land deal for a three-well drilling program. Husky holds 14 sections of petroleum and natural gas rights on the reserve, and Frog Lake band members now hold 12 on-reserve jobs relating to those activities.

Speaking from Husky's head office in Calgary, Laurel Nichol, director of communications, said "The ceremony at Frog Lake First Nation was a great occasion for John Lau. It was the first time he has ever been made an honorary chief and the first time he has received a Cree name. It is a great honor. It was also the first time that Husky Energy has ever sponsored the Frog Lake powwow."