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From http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/subscriber/local/story/3711844p-4291037c.html

Manitoba native leaders heading to Bolivia

Wed Oct 4 2006
By Carol Sanders (carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca)
 
Manitoba chiefs looking for strength in numbers are travelling to Bolivia this weekend for the Continental Gathering of Indigenous Peoples.

Dennis Meeches of Long Plain First Nation, Terry Nelson of Roseau River Anishinabe First Nation, traditional dancers and drummers from Long Plain and the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs' political adviser, Don Clarke, leave Sunday for the five-day conference in La Paz, Bolivia.

The Continental Gathering is also a celebration of Bolivia electing its first indigenous leader, President Evo Morales. His leadership is a beacon for aboriginal people around the world who've been colonized and disenfranchised, said Clarke. It's a symbol of hope and also expected to give indigenous companies and First Nations an inside track on trade with that country, he said.

"It's creating some huge opportunities for some of our expertise to be shared," Clarke said.

Bolivia and other South American countries are mineral rich, and First Nations in Canada have experience working with industry to develop resources.

"We as First Nations have lots of experience in mining, forestry and oil and gas -- these are experiences we want to share with the Bolivian government," said Clarke. "We're interested in enhancing Canadian trade in Bolivia, which is about $50 million Canadian."
 
And countries like Bolivia can teach First Nations here a thing or two, he said.

"We're learning from their being colonized and disenfranchised -- what models can we apply here for cultural retention and preserving their languages? They're working through what the dominant society has thrust on them," said Clarke. "They're strengthening their (indigenous) languages. What low-cost, effective strategies do they have to help us maintain our culture and identity?"

Next week's conference in Bolivia draws indigenous people from throughout the Americas to join forces socially and culturally, as well as economically. The trip is being funded by the AMC, tribal organizations, First Nations and businesses, said Clarke.

At the conference in Bolivia, Nelson will be showing a video entitled Not So Gentle Neighbour (watch the video online at http://www.streamreel.com/archives/aim/aim_gentle.htm) that illustrates the strained relationship between the Canadian government and aboriginal people. His message is that indigenous people can become independent of their governments through international trade and investment.

The Manitoba chiefs have been working toward forging closer ties with Latin America.

Last month, the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs announced it was opening an office in Santiago, Chile to create a permanent presence in Latin America.

In January, the Manitoba chiefs voted to set up an international relations department with a trade and investment adviser on the ground in Chile and Ecuador, said Clarke.