People

Herbert Belcourt

Dr Herbert Clifford Belcourt
Convocation Address
University of Alberta, June 5, 2001

Eminent Chancellor, Mr President, Mr Chairman of the Board, graduates, friends, and family. I would like to thank the Senate of the University of Alberta for selecting me as a recipient of an Honorary Degree.

Today, I stand before you as a humble Métis man with a whole lot of years and wear to offer to you some of my words and experience that have sustained me throughout the years. Words and thoughts planted into me by my father and mother that have helped me achieve what was in my heart.

My roots are buried deeply and firmly within this earth. My family and people have lived among these rivers and forests for many, many generations. And from this land, we have learned some of the most basic and valuable lessons in life. Mother Nature is a very wise and patient teacher.

You must have firm roots — roots that are embraced by the gentle earth of family, community, and faith. This foundation is all that you will have to hold you fast when the storms of life rage about you.

Those storms will come. Do not be afraid. If you have tended to your foundation, these roots and earth will hold you.

Fear, perhaps, is our greatest enemy. Its venom paralyzes you. It stops you from taking a chance. It robs you of opportunity. It will shake its fist at you as you go out on a limb to sample the fruits of life. I say, go out there, on that limb: that's where all the fruit is but remember to return. That limb will not hold you for too long. Return to the centre for stability. Even a bird leaves the branch when the chokecherries are gone.

Taking a risk requires bravery and intelligence. This is no place for the lighthearted or the unprepared. That is why education should be one of our greatest ambitions.

While I did not reach the academic levels that I had wished for myself, I committed to make educational opportunities accessible for others. I have always valued education as one of the essentials in life. While Canative Housing focused on the other essential of life — shelter — our company made sure that it incorporated an attitude and programming to support continued learning and training.

Canative Housing has made good on this commitment. We have created a Canative Housing Bursary and Scholarship program with the U of A. We have endowed the U of A Aboriginal recruitment program called "Community Relations" out of the Office of Native Student Services. And we will continue to support initiatives that will increase participation of Métis and Aboriginal students in post-secondary institutions.

Why?

My people have yet to realize their rightful place in Canadian society. We have contributed greatly to this fine fabric called the Canadian mosaic. We are hard workers. We are partners in the founding of Canada. We fought just as hard for the defense of Canada, as anyone. And yet, we are not seen in the numbers that we should be in these places of higher learning.

Yet there is hope!

We are nations in recovery. Recovering the strength of our culture. We are reviving that tradition of higher learning.

When I left my community as a very young lad, my father borrowed ten dollars, which he gave to me as I left home for the wide-open world. He said, "Save your money. Work for yourself, or you'll be carrying a lunch bucket all your life."

That bus ride, from Lac Ste Anne to Marlboro, Alberta, was the longest ride in my life. It was then that I made a solemn promise to myself. I promised that I would not be poor and that I would retire at 50. Well, I've kept the first half of that promise, and still have no intention of keeping the other half.

Don't be afraid of failure. Keep positive. Negativity is the brother of fear. Whereas fear quickly paralyzes us, negativity works its way under your skin and then slowly sucks the life out of you. Negativity is as infectious as positivity. Positive attracts positive. Being positive does bring life and opportunity.

When I started my business adventures many years ago, Herb's Upholstery was a step into an unknown territory. But I had a positive attitude that I would do my best: I knew how to work hard and smart. I wasn't afraid of taking a chance even when others around me thought I was crazy. They'd say, "Herb, what do you know about upholstery? You just can't go off and do this."

So, off I went and started Herb's Upholstery. By the end of that first year, I had so much business that I couldn't keep up with the demand. I sold that company after a couple of years and decided to try something else. I was looking for a new challenge.

Once again, I decided to start Mutual Telephone Line Services. At that time, all the farmers in Alberta wanted telephones, so I recognized their need and provided the service. After five years of building telephone lines, I sold that company. In 1965, I started a new company and a new adventure.

Once again, people thought I was crazy. "Herb," they'd say, "you don't know anything about big business. You can't just go off and do this." So off I went and created Belcourt Construction, which built power lines, which was my trade of 10 years.

Well, Belcourt Construction quickly grew into a company that held a multi-million-dollar payroll and power line contracts thoughout Alberta.

Again, I took the chance, trusted my instincts, trusted my own working knowledge, and had faith that I'd succeed. While I perhaps did not have the formal academic training, I always prepared myself before I went into the venture. This, therefore, is not called a risk; I like to say, "I took an educated chance." I prepared myself.

And every time that I tried something new and I did quite often: clothing stores, newspapers, restaurants, movie theatres, and housing, there would be those who would say the exact same thing.

Each time I'd prove them wrong.

I am here to tell you all that your dreams can be realized.

Your completion of your degrees is testimony to your endurance. Your commitment to finish your education and gain this high standard already sets you apart from others. If you keep that same kind of spirit throughout your lives, you will be successful.

Remember, however, to return to those firm roots that are embraced by the gentle earth of family, community, and faith. Return what you can to your community. They are the ones that supported you — even if you realize it or not.

Keep positive. Trust yourself. Always remember family and community. Take pride in your heritage and remember where you came from. And once in a while, take an "educated chance" because life is what you make of it.

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