report on indigenous development and the prime ministerial trade mission to argentina, chile and...

Apikan Indigenous Network

World Council of Indigenous Peoples

Indigenous Development and the

Prime Ministerial Trade Mission

to Argentina, Chile and Brazil January 21 - 29, 1995

Prepared by: Wayne Dunn Executive Director, Apikan

Indigenous Network Economic Development Advisor,

World Council of Indigenous Peoples

[email protected]

- 1 -

Prime Ministerial Trade Mission to South America January 21 - 29, 1995 Apikan/WCIP Report

This report was prepared by Wayne Dunn for Apikan Indigenous Network and the World Council of Indigenous Peoples. For additional information, contact:

Wayne Dunn Apikan Indigenous Network 110C Twyford Street Ottawa, Ont. K1V 0V7 CANADA Phone: 613-733-6069 Fax: 613-733-7816 Internet: [email protected]

Rodrigo Contreras World Council of Indigenous Peoples 100 Argyle Ottawa, On Canada Phone: 613-230-9030 Fax: 613-230-9340

THE MISSION The Canadian government, as part of its efforts to enhance trade, and following up on the Miami Summit, organized the first ever Prime Ministerial Trade mission to Argentina, Chile and Brazil. This mission was led by Prime Minster Chrétien, who also visited Trinidad & Tobago, Uruguay and Costa Rica. Accompanying the Prime Minister, was International Trade Minister Roy MacLaren and Secretary of State for Latin America, Christine Stewart. The mission also included senior Canadian trade representatives, and a number of leading Canadian business representatives. Wayne Dunn, Economic Development Advisor to the President of the World Council of Indigenous Peoples, and Rodrigo Contreras, represented that organization on the Mission.

BACKGROUND ON ABORIGINAL INVOLVEMENT Indigenous peoples throughout the Americas had extensive trading relationships dating back thousands of years. In recent years, many Canadian indigenous businesses have been looking at the international arena for trade and investment opportunities. As well, Indigenous Peoples organizations and community based entrepreneurs from Latin America have identified Canadian Indigenous peoples as potential partners and markets. Canadian based Apikan Indigenous Network specializes in international Indigenous trade and development partnerships and international Indigenous development. Apikan, through Wayne Dunn, has taken a lead role in this area and sponsored and supported various international Indigenous development efforts in Latin America. In addition, they have organized several international Indigenous partnership conferences. Wayne Dunn has recently conducted a five country Central American project identification mission, and Apikan has co-sponsored, with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), an international round table on Indigenous trade and development, which was held at UN Headquarters in New York.

- 2 -


The international community has recognized the principles of Indigenous Peoples’ meaningful participation in their own development and the promotion of cultural values as a contribution to national and international sustainable and democratic development. The World Council of Indigenous Peoples (WCIP), has consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) at the United Nations, and has a long history of supporting Indigenous peoples development efforts throughout the world. Recently Apikan, with support from WCIP, has been working closely with the UNDP in New York and numerous national and international Indigenous organizations, to develop an international facility that will support the efforts of Indigenous peoples development, especially as it relates to trade, partnerships, production, marketing and training. At the invitation of Minister MacLaren, and with the support of Aboriginal Business Canada, Apikan Indigenous Network (Wayne Dunn, Project Director) and the World Council of Indigenous Peoples (Rodrigo Contreras, Executive Director) participated in the Jan. 21-29 Prime Ministerial Trade Mission to Argentina, Chile and Brazil. These representatives were delegated by their respective institutions to appropriately represent them on this mission. The objective of the participation was to increase dialogue with Indigenous organizations regarding the Apikan/UNDP/WCIP Indigenous Peoples Development initiative. A further objective was to provide information on the capacity of Canadian Indigenous business. An additional objective was to discuss with business and government trade representatives the beneficial role Canadian Indigenous businesses can play in the international arena. In addition to participating in all official functions during the mission, specific meetings and activities were undertaken to further the stated objectives. Arrangements were made in advance by Apikan and WCIP with the active support of UNDP in New York. The Apikan/WCIP efforts were assisted throughout the mission with support from Secretary of State Stewart and her staff.

ARGENTINA In Argentina meetings were held with UNDP staff, the President of the World Council of Indigenous Peoples, the President of the National Indigenous Association (AIRA), the President of the National Indigenous Parliament, the national Indigenous Women’s leader and several other local Indigenous leaders. The meetings were used to explain the Indigenous Peoples Development Initiative and to further discuss input from Indigenous peoples from Argentina through the efforts of the UNDP office in Buenos Aires and the collaboration of the State Agency concerned with Indigenous Affairs. Thanks to the Canadian officials, invitations were secured for the Argentinean Indigenous leaders to attend the Luncheon with the Prime Minister and the reception with Prime Minister Chrétien and President Menem. This created the opportunity for the Argentinean Indigenous leaders to briefly meet with Prime Minister Chrétien and President Menem, and the Argentinean Ministers of Finance and Education. (Prime Minister Chrétien was especially pleased with this opportunity, as he was well aware of the founding of the World Council when he was a Minister of Prime Minister Truedeau’s

- 3 -


government). Secretary of State Stewart also met with the Indigenous leaders, including the national Indigenous Women’s leader for Argentina. The local leaders were pleased with their meeting with Secretary Stewart, since she encouraged them to approach the Canadian Embassy with information on their development initiatives. The inclusion of the Argentinean Indigenous leaders in the official functions should prove very beneficial for their domestic profile. Their presence at these functions proved to be a very effective channel for directing a national dialogue. In addition, it served to further strengthen the relationship with Apikan and the interest in working with other Canadian Indigenous interests.

CHILE At the UNDP headquarters in Chile, we met with UNDP staff and a number of Indigenous leaders and organizations. We briefed them on Apikan/UNDP/WCIP Indigenous Trade and Development initiative, and they briefed us on the situation of Indigenous peoples in Chile. They were interested in the initiative, but expressed much caution regarding Chile joining NAFTA. They have a history of severe marginalization and are concerned that NAFTA will maintain or increase their economic exclusion. The Indigenous leaders were interested in further exploring the idea of international indigenous partnerships, and plan to organize a national meeting on Indigenous trade and development in Chile. This meeting will be part of a series of national meetings being organized as part of the Apikan/UNDP/World Council initiative. They asked that Apikan and the World Council participate in this conference with the aim of furthering international indigenous partnerships and sharing Canadian Indigenous development experience. However, financial considerations are a factor in organizing this meeting and we hope the Canadian Embassy will be in a position so support these efforts. We were pleased to note the collaborative efforts between several Indigenous organizations and their relationship with the UNDP and the National Indigenous Development Corporation (CONADI). This will ensure continuity in the development process. In Chile we also met with representatives of the Mapuche Cultural Centre and briefed them on the work that has been done and invited their input. Our work in Chile was important in terms of the NAFTA negotiations and the profile of the Prime Ministerial Trade Mission. As noted, Indigenous leaders expressed caution about NAFTA and did not feel at all part of the process. The inclusion of Apikan and the World Council in the Mission signaled positively the keen interest demonstrated by the Canadian Government towards the development of Indigenous Peoples. It also allowed them to at least be open to the idea that increased trade between Chile and Canada could result in opportunities and benefits for them. They are very keen to have Canadian participation in their upcoming national meeting on Indigenous trade and development.

- 4 -


BRAZIL No meetings with Brazilian Indigenous organizations were organized, as all government institutions and other relevant organizations are based in Brasilia and the trade mission went only to Rio de Janeiro. The time in Brazil was utilized to strengthen dialogue with Canadian business and trade officials.

CONCLUSION In addition to meeting the original objectives, several concrete opportunities were identified for domestic cooperation between Indigenous businesses and other business participating in the mission. The inclusion of Apikan and the World Council in the Prime Ministerial Trade Mission resulted in Indigenous organizations in the host countries feeling included, perhaps for the first time, in a State visit of this type. It served as an opportunity to open dialogue with them on trade and development and to enhance their positions in their respective countries.