Wayne Dunn of Apikan Indigenous Network and Rodrigo Contreras of the World Council of Indigenous Peoples accompanied the Canadian Prime Minister's trade mission to Argentina, Chile, and Brazil in January 1995. The trip aimed to promote dialogue on indigenous trade and development initiatives and showcase Canadian indigenous business opportunities. In Argentina and Chile, they met with indigenous leaders and UN organizations to discuss partnership opportunities. Indigenous representatives in Argentina participated in the Prime Minister's meetings, raising their domestic profile. Chilean leaders were interested in international partnerships but cautious about trade agreements. No meetings were held in Brazil as relevant organizations were based elsewhere. The inclusion of indigenous representatives in the high-level trade delegation opened new dialogues on indigenous issues

1. 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
wayne@waynedunn.com

2. -1-
This report was prepared by Wayne Dunn for Apikan Indigenous Network and the World
Council of Indigenous Peoples.
For additional information, contact:
Wayne Dunn Rodrigo Contreras
Apikan Indigenous Network World Council of Indigenous Peoples
110C Twyford Street 100 Argyle
Ottawa, Ont. K1V 0V7 Ottawa, On Canada
CANADA Phone: 613-230-9030
Phone: 613-733-6069 Fax: 613-230-9340
Fax: 613-733-7816
Internet: wayne@waynedunn.com
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.
Prime Ministerial Trade Mission to South America January 21 - 29, 1995
Apikan/WCIP Report

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

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

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