NEWS RELEASE
MNO Offers Strategy and Challenge to Obtain Funds for UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues Offers to Provide First Full Time Staff Member New York (May 14, 2002) --- Tony Belcourt, President of the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO), today announced the MNO's offer to provide one fully-funded staff position to a secretariat to support the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. The Permanent Forum is holding its historic first meeting at UN Headquarters in New York May 13 - 24, 2002.

"If we really want the Permanent Forum to work for us effectively, and to be more than a once-a-year gathering to complain about the actions of Member States of the United Nations, then we must exercise our inherent right to self-determination by helping to pay for the Forum ourselves", Mr. Belcourt said. He added, "In this spirit, I am authorized to offer the Permanent Forum, on a year-toyear basis, one fully-funded staff member from the Métis people of Ontario, equivalent to a pledge of $100,000 per year."

The Permanent Forum was approved by the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the UN but the approval did not carry with it, the funds for a Secretariat to support its work. The 16 members of the Forum include 8 representatives chosen by Member States and 8 Indigenous people chosen by the President of ECOSOC following consultations with Indigenous peoples.

Mr. Belcourt also announced a strategy to develop a budget of $750,000 for the Secretariat. He said: "We also want to issue a friendly challenge, to Member States as well as our Indigenous Brothers and Sisters who live in the wealthiest countries, to match our pledge." He said the budget would be one-tenth of one percent of the operational budget of the UN system and added: "A very small amount. But it would be a real beginning. And as much as we are able, we must do this ourselves and challenge the Member States to follow our leadership.

The MNO will work out the details of job description of the staff person and will soon be announcing the details of a competition to fill the post. The program to support this position was approved by the PCMNO through its funds for training and employment.

For further information contact:
Leticia Larsen: 1-613-864-3333
Beverley Newton: 1-613-798-1488