Oilsands issue and indigenous peoples' rights at Co-existence in the Arctic
Photo: Shaughn Butts, Edmonton Journal
Indigenous leaders and experts from the Russian Federation, Canada and the Nordic countries are among the speakers at the international conference, Co-existence in the Arctic in Kirkenes on February 5th. George Poitras, former Chief of the Mikisew Cree in Alberta, Canada, will address the conference on his experiences and his work with regard to the oil sands issue. 60 participants will attend the conference, of which 30 represent indigenous peoples of the Russian Federation.The former Chief of the Mikisew Cree First Nation, George Poitras, is invited to the international conference Co-existence in the Arctic to share his experience and knowledge on indigenous peoples' encounters with industrial companies. Poitras will be among the speakers at the conferene, which will take place in Kirkenes, Norway, on February 5th 2010. Read more about George Poitras in this article from the Edmonton Journal.
Pavel Vasilievich Sulyandziga, Vice-president of RAIPON and member ofthe United Nations' Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) will share experiences from the Russian Federation, which is among the world's largest producer of unrenewable natural resources, such as oil and gas.
Valentina Vyacheslavovna Sovkina, who is leading the struggle of the Saami people in Russia towards establishment of a democratic political body, will address the conference on experiences from the Kola Peninsula, which is the centre of several mining projects. The concept of free, prior and informed consent plays a central role when indigenous peoples' areas are used for industrial operations, and Ms Sovkina will probably touch upon her experience with this concept in her address.
Benjamin Powless is Mohawk from Six Nations, Ontario, Canada, and he is an active member of the Indigenous Environmental Network and the Board of the National Council of the Canadian Environmental Network. Mr Powless is a strong voice for indigenous youth and has participated in several international high-level events, recently the COP15 (United Nations’ Climate Change Conference), promoting indigenous peoples’ rights and environmental issues. Last summer, Mr Powless reported from the massacres in Peruvian Amazon, where indigenous peoples were killed while trying to protect the Amazon from oil extraction. Read about Mr Powless’ experiences here.
Magne Ove Varsi is the director of Gáldu - Resource Centre for the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which is situated in Guovdageaidnu, Norway. Mr Varsi will give a presentation of international legislative instruments important for indigenous peoples' rights.
Altogether 60 participants have registered for the conference, which is held in Aurora kino, downtown Kirkenes. 30 representatives for indigenous peoples in Russia will attend the conference and the preceding Barents Indigenous Peoples’ Congress. The delegation from Russia includes representatives from Yasavey (the Public Association of Nenets Peoples in NAO), the three Saami organizations in Murmansk oblast, the Vepsian Culture Society and RAIPON (Russian Association of Indigenous Peoples of the North, Siberia and Far East.
The Norwegian State Secretary for Saami and Minority Issues, Mr Raimo Valle of the Norwegian Ministry of Government Administration, Reform and Church Affairs will open the conference.
Program Co-existence in the Arctic
Chair: Ms Gunn-Britt Retter (Saami Council) and Bjarne Store-Jakobsen (WGIP)
0830 Opening
Mr Raimo Valle, State Secretary of the Norwegian Ministry of Government Administration, Reform and Church Affairs
0900 Indigenous peoples’ rights and international legislation – Corporate Social Responsibility
Mr Magne Ove Varsi. Director of Gáldu – Resource Centre for the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
0950 Coffee break
1010 Indigenous peoples’ international cooperation – Involvement and joining of forces
Mr Benjamin Powless, member of the Indigenous Environmental Network
1050 Indigenous peoples in encounters with the industry – Experiences from the Russian Federation
Mr Pavel V. Sulyandziga, Vice-president of RAIPON and member of the UNPFII
1130 Lunch
1230 Indigenous peoples in encounters with the industry – Experiences from the Kola Peninsula
Ms Valentina V. Sovkina, Head of the Council of Authorized Representatives of the Saami in Murmansk Oblast
1310 Indigenous peoples in encounters with the industry – Experiences from Canada and the oil sands projects in Alberta
Mr George Poitras, former Chief of the Mikisew Cree First Nation
1340 Coffee break
1400 Plenary discussion
15.55 Closing
LOCATION: Aurora kino, city centre of Kirkenes
