"Andrew Fuller is All Ears"

OHSWEKEN - Andrew Fuller was concerned about how Ottawa treated the Mohawk people during last summer's standoff at Oka.

So he decided to help change the way this country works.

The Mohawk from the Six nations reserve is southern Ontario supervisor for the Citizen's Forum on Canada's Future.

The forum, known as the Spicer commission, is encouraging all Canadians to initiate discussion about the future of the nation, and to record their thoughts for a national survey.

Mr. Fuller's job is to help organize and, occasionally, moderate those discussions.

His job has taken him from universities and hostels to coffee shops and living rooms trying to reach people and get them involved in the process.

At first, he said, people were not sure whether the forum would accomplish anything.

He has spoken one on one with a number of people, including an elder in the Six Nations community.

A normal discussion group lasts about two hours, but this one was almost five times as long.

"The elders are our past, and they are also our directive for our future. They are our history, they are our wisdom, they are our eyes," said Mr. Fuller, trying to explain why it is important to hear their views.

He said many older people, native and non-native, have expressed deep concern for the future of the country.

He also has been impressed by the sincerity of many students who have asked to get involved.

Mr. Fuller has had a wide range of experiences, working as an actor, a model, a meat cutter, a steelworker and an independent businessman.

That should help him in his goal of reaching as many people as possible from varied backgrounds.

"We're not going to reach everyone - there are 25, 26 million people in the country - but we're going to do our damndest."

As he looked down at his only son, two-year-old Jazz Fuller, the energetic father paused for a moment before talking about his personal stake in the matter.

"This is the reconstruction of Canada's future, and my son is one of the eyes of the future.

"If I can make this country for him that's a bonus. That's a real bonus."