Miki Bradshaw, manifesto 4/07
From Tribewanted
Why would you want to be chief?
I have had a lot of major changes in my life in the last few years which has changed my outlook on a lot of things. I never dreamed that there would ever be a possibility to become the chief of a tribe! Who ever thinks that something like that would come up in their lives?! Last June I read about TribeWanted in our local newspaper’s travel section. My husband and I were hooked from the get go! Part of what attracted me to TW was the ability to help make a positive change in the lives of people I don’t even know. Since battling cancer (and winning!) that is what I’ve found myself wanting to do, help others and make a positive impact in other peoples lives. I proceeded to find a job that allows me to do this here at home, but with TW I get to do it on a larger scale. I also want my future grandchildren to learn that it only takes one person to initiate change and that the world can be changed, even if it’s only one person at a time.
What relevant skills would you bring to this role?
I am a good listener and communicator. I am also a good organizer and leader. I also love to give others the opportunity to take the lead when the need arises. I am definitely a good delegator! (Just ask my husband!! LOL) My background is in customer relations, management and environmental services. I am currently working as an in home caregiver for the elderly and terminally ill. I have excellent people skills. Over the years I’ve learned when to speak up but also when to keep my mouth closed and let things work themselves out. I have the ability to stand back and look at a situation or problem and often come up with a different view, therefore different solutions to issues and problems as they present themselves.
What, other than your skills, makes you the right person for this roll?
I am very enthusiastic about this project (as many are!) I jumped into this project with both feet and eyes wide open (which sometimes gets me into trouble!) But I have been living and breathing TW daily since. I have collected books for the library and have sent 102 pounds of books just for the school children’s library. I’ll be sending the books for the main library soon. I have always been a nature lover and one of my passions is camping. Being a single parent while raising my daughter I took her camping a lot, taught her to make and break camp on her own and how to respect and love nature. I love travel and immersing myself in other cultures. What better way to do that in Fiji than spending a month living as they do? With each passing day my passion for this project grows stronger, as does my desire to get to the island and get to know everyone there on a personal basis and build lasting friendships.
What would you like to achieve as chief?
Naturally I would like to make sure that any projects already underway get finished. I would work hard to let nothing fall behind. I look forward to keeping those not on the island up to date with what’s going on. I want to make sure the children of Mali know how important they are to not only the islands future but to the world’s future. I hope to spend a lot of time with them if possible and to build a lasting bond with the people of Mali. Not only for myself but for the tribe as a whole. I also hope to take something away from the experience of being chief. I hope to take away a sense of accomplishment & fulfillment, but mostly knowing that I helped change one small part of our world. Finally, I want to make sure that everyone who arrives on the island while I’m chief has the time of their life!
As chief you’ll be given a small pot of money to leave your legacy. How will you spend it?
Those who already know me know that the children’s library is something near and dear to my heart. So as my legacy I would like to ensure that they end up with an amazing library. I won’t know what that will take until I get there but that is something that is important to me. I’ll look at what needs they have now and do my best to see that those needs get fulfilled.
Tell us something interesting about yourself?
People who know me know to NEVER tell me I CAN’T do something because that’s the best way to ensure that I WILL do it! I love to meet new people and have had a fantastic time meeting many TW members already. My best friend and her family have nicknamed me psycho. (I used to be a lot wilder than I am now!) And on my first date with my husband, I took him to the top of a mountain in my truck and did donuts in the snow and mud! Scared the cr*p out of him! But he married me anyway!!!
In one sentence, why should you be chief?
Because telling your grandchildren that you were the chief of a tribe and had a small part in changing someone’s world just might inspire them to keep that legacy going.
