Opportunity arrives at our door in many ways. Sometimes it knocks gently, but sometimes not. Witness the outpouring of human kindness, as well as the big backlash as a result of the tragic terrorist events of September 11th.

Within hours, dozens of Akwesasne Mohawk ironworkers saw an opportunity to help. They were among the first to join the New York rescue effort. Aboriginal Canadians in great numbers joined their Native American counterparts and seized the moment and answered the call for blood donors, fundraising and . . . prayers.

From urban friendship centres to remote First Nations, Aboriginal people began digging deep into their already sadly stretched pockets and purses. In fact, Aboriginal people were so touched by the tragic events that weeks later they are still making a point of offering spiritual blessings.

For example, at the start of the most recent meeting of the Vancouver Island chapter of the National Aboriginal Veterans Association a prayer was offered for the victims and families. Aboriginal veterans of course were harder hit by the emotional wave caused by the attacks. Talk of war has brought on a flood of feelings and reflections.

Others saw a different opportunity, like the American patriots, war mongers, peaceniks, commentators and academics. Taiiake Alfred, for example. For the outspoken Mohawk from Kahnawake and UVIC professor it was an opportunity for him to remind us that it's not 'our' war but theirs and that 'they' are still the oppressors.

"This is mass hypocrisy on a scale to drive anyone crazy! But let's not be hypocrites too, Brothers and Sisters. We Indigenous people claim to be nations; we claim to have a memory; we claim to have pride in who we are. Yet, there are many of our people who identify so strongly with our oppressor that they begin to feel and think just like him. Basic human compassion is a noble thing. But think about the orgy of suffering we have endured broadcast live on TV for the past two weeks: our oppressor suffers, so we hurt? They are humiliated, so we get down on our knees and pray for them, hope for them, cry for them?"

The First Nations Summit, responding to public sensitivities spawned by September 11th atrocities, decided to hold off on such things as roadblocks to protest the treaty referendum. Chief Arthur Manuel saw that decision as an opportunity to affirm his support for the Native Youth Movement and the necessity of ongoing protests against the expansion of the Sun Peaks resort near Kamloops.

Meanwhile, two First Nations saw the resort business as an opportunity to bring jobs and money to their people. Chiefs Felix Arnouse and Richard LeBourdais of the Little Shuswap and Whispering Pines Indian bands joined their Sun Peaks partners for a ground-breaking ceremony for their $8-million housing and retail complex.

As we know, leaders like Bill Wilson and others who belong to the treaty making process, also known as the Summit, have flatly rejected the BC Government's Treaty Referendum Process. They are boycotting it. That's one perspective.

However, another comes from the Native Student Union at the University of Victoria where there is a very active group of Aboriginal people who are politically tuned-in. At a recent 'sharing circle', students said "The referendum is seen as an opportunity for us to bring our concerns about the treaty process into the public eye/ear. As university students we are sometimes sought out by non-Indigenous peoples as voices of our people - so we need to invite our people to share their views with us before we go talking about the referendum on their behalf. The referendum is seen as an opportunity to educate all people about 'treaty' and 'referendum' from our perspective."

While many students agreed with the Summit's call for a boycott, others said the referendum also presented the opportunity to participate in public education about important Aboriginal issues.

This past summer provided the Prime Minister with the opportunity to make promises that he will do all he can to ensure the lives of Aboriginals will be improved by new government policies. Those policies promised for this fall may now be shelved indefinitely. The Liberals, faced with big bucks decisions caused by massive layoffs from the economic impact of September 11th, admitted their agenda has been derailed and even though it was a personal commitment from the Prime Minister, Aboriginal policy changes have been thrown into doubt.

I will take this opportunity to point out, hot on the heels of words here last month about the BC Liberals scrapping public hearings into equality of education for Aboriginals came a new announcement.

Education Minister Christie Clark created an opportunity for parents and students to respond to an annual survey about how good or not so good the public schools are doing. She announced plans for more accountability processes to ensure the schools produce better results in educating young people.

It's an obvious opportunity for Aboriginal parents and students to voice their concerns, needs and suggestions for improvements.

Finally, there were the encouraging words from BC's new Lieutenant Governor, Iona Campagnolo in her remarks at her swearing-in ceremony. She never passes up an opportunity to make a powerful personal and public pronouncement about Aboriginal people, their contributions and her respect for First Nations.

She noted that the province's Aboriginal people played a large role in forming British Columbia traditions, "The descendants of B.C.'s Aboriginal peoples continue to inspire the spirit and heritage of our Province. Although it is everybody's culture now, the contribution of first peoples with their immutable traditions enriches our society and commands our respect. In this time of apologies between generations, with all its struggles and acknowledgement of dark passages, we are challenged to reconcile differences and find the "better way", knowing that British Columbia's future is limited only by our collective imaginations."

The new Lieutenant Governor grew up in Prince Rupert where she became personally aware of the very large Aboriginal population. During her swearing-in she even used some Aboriginal words in her speech -Konaway tillicums klatawa kunamokst klaska mamook okoke huloima chee illahie-. In Chinook it means -Friends from everywhere have been thrown together to make this strange new country!-. Ms. Campagnolo has been honoured with two aboriginal names --- Notz-whe-Neah or Mother of the Big Fin by Chief Haq be quot’o, Kenneth Harris of the Tsimpsean Nation, and --- Saan aag X’wha or Person who Sits High by Chief Skidegate, Clarence Collinson of the Haida Nation.

She didn't have to include so many Aboriginal references in her remarks, but her appointment brings deliberate, significant change and a fresh perspective to the position.

The Lieutenant Governor heard the sound of opportunity knocking, and she answered.