NEWS RELEASE

2nd Indigenous Peoples Summit of the Americas
An overview by Tony Belcourt
August 17th, 2005

This will be an initial report to provide basic information about this Summit. There is a great deal of additional information forthcoming and I will be forwarding that to you in the days ahead.

Attached is a deck of slides from a power point presentation providing an overview of the 2nd IPSA. Also attached are the terms of reference for the “Indigenous Summit Planning Committee” which has the mandate to plan and implement the events related to the 2nd IPSA. Also attached is a listing of the members of this Committee. Please note that the Metis National Council is a member of the Committee.

The Nation States which make up the Organization of American States (OAS) from North, Central and South America, hold a “Summit” of the Heads of these States in 5 year intervals. You will recall that the OAS held a “Summit of the Americas” in Quebec City in 2000. The week before that meeting, we participated in the first “Indigenous Peoples Summit of the Americas” which was held in Ottawa. The OAS will be holding a “Summit of the Americas”, November 4-5, 2005, in Mar del Plata, Argentina. Prime Minister Paul Marin and Presidents Bush and Fox will be among the 32 or so heads of state who will be attending.

The purpose of the 2nd IPSA will be to raise the profile of Indigenous peoples and their issues so as to have an influence on the Declaration and Plan of Action that will be adopted by the Heads of State. By holding our meeting the week prior to that of the Heads of State, we will have the best opportunity to gain media attention and to “feed into” the Summit of the Americas.

The 2nd IPSA will be preceded by a special meeting of Indigenous Women and of Indigenous Youth. Other events include a trade show and a cultural showcase.

I believe there is much potential economic benefit to Metis organizations and businesses through possible international trade and/or partnership development. Indigenous peoples of central and southern America have much to offer in terms of goods and cultural industries. Metis organizations and businesses have much to offer in these areas as well. In addition, we have valuable organizational expertise in many areas that could be of benefit to Indigenous peoples and organizations in the south. CIDA’s Indigenous Peoples Partnership Program (IPPP) is designed to foster development in these areas. I know full well that Indigenous peoples of the south are looking for partners in the north. What is needed is an exchange where our two sides can meet and foster those relationships, getting to know each other, our respective goals and what we each can bring to a potential partnership. For more information on the IPPP please log on to: www.acdi-cida.gc.ca/ippp.

While I encourage participation in the 2nd IPSA, I also know that we have to be creative in finding the funding to do so. The only funding specifically available to the MNC at this point is the travel and accommodations for the MNC’s representative on the Planning Committee. Funding might also be found for those who wish to apply to the Canada Council for the Arts through an “Aboriginal Peoples Collaborative Exchange” program. Aboriginal Artists may apply for a grant to participate in the upcoming 2nd IPSA but I would suggest that you encourage Metis artists who might be interested to apply very soon as the normal deadline is 8 weeks prior to the event itself. Information on this program can be found at www.canadacouncil.ca/grants/aboriginal

I hope this information was useful, in the coming weeks more information will be brought foreward for all.

Best regards to everyone.

Tony Belcourt
President - Metis Nation of Ontario