International Intertribal Trade and Investment Organization
Key Events, Meetings, and Presentations on Indigenous Trade 2017-2019
The area of Indigenous International Trade has grown significantly in the last three years. There has been and continues to be a lot of infrastructure development, which will lead to significant breakthroughs in International Indigenous Trade. Our organization works collaboratively with governments (tribal, state/provincial, federal and international) as well as Indigenous and non-Indigenous businesses, to educate and help develop trade agreements, trade chapters, trade policies, and trade deals.
IITIO is an international not-for-profit organization dedicated to educating and assisting governments and businesses in the creation of Indigenous trade agreements.
The vision of IITIO is:
An end state where there exists a global flow and exchange of Indigenous goods, services and investments.
The mission of IITIO is:
To support and enhance the implementation of the global flow and exchange of Indigenous goods, services, and investments.
“to apply the group’s combined international expertise, passion and experience in addressing tangible issues that can assist in the global flow and exchange of Indigenous goods, services and investments…
“…to facilitate productive discussion, objective research, and effective education with respect to international inter-tribal trade and investment, through seminars, conferences and scholarly papers…
2017-2019 Notable Achievements:
- Original NAFTA Indigenous Trade Submissions
July 2017. Submission by IITIO to Global Affairs Canada re NAFTA renegotiation. Out of some 2500 submissions received by the government of Canada, IITIO’s was the only submission to argue for an Indigenous Trade Chapter. Read the full IITIO submission of July 2017 here:
- Development of Indigenous Trade Chapter with Global Affairs
July 2017. Based on IITIO’s submission, a Global Affairs Indigenous Working Group was formed to collaboratively build the Indigenous Trade Chapter with all interested Indigenous Rights Holders, Indigenous Treaty Holders, and interested Indigenous Organizations. Read a full description of this bold new collaborative initiative led by Global Affairs here:
https://iitio.org/global-affairs-2/
- Part of the Canadian Mission to the United Nations
April 16 & 17, 2018. The Chair of IITIO, Wayne Garnons-Williams, was put on the Canadian Delegation to the 17th Session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) in New York:
- Part of the Canadian Indigenous Trade Mission to New Zealand
October 8 & 9, 2018. Auckland, New Zealand: IITIO was part of Canada’s first official Indigenous Trade Mission to New Zealand with Parliamentary Secretary for Trade Omar Alghabra, and Mario Bot, High Commissioner for Canada to New Zealand. Dr. Jim Collard, Wayne Garnons-Williams and Dr. Robert Joseph spoke on behalf of IITIO.
- Joint Research/Writing MOU on Indigenous Trade Issues signed between University of Oklahoma and University of Victoria
IITIO executive member Dr. Lindsay Robertson, for the College of Law, University of Oklahoma and IITIO executive member Miles Richardson O.C., for the National Consortium for Indigenous Economic Development, signed a Memorandum of Understanding to dedicate research and writing that will focus on various Indigenous Trade issues.
- Five Successful International Indigenous Trade Conferences in Canada and the United States
As of the close of 2018, IITIO has put on five wonderfully successful International Indigenous Trade Conferences. Our collaborative and educational business format allows for both learning by business and government on challenging trade issues and bringing Indigenous business leaders together to find real trade deals.
- Stood up to support domestic legislation to make UNDRIP law in Canada
IITIO president, Wayne Garnons-Williams, was Invited to speak at a rally on on Parliament Hill with Romeo Saganash, Member of Parliament for Abitibi—Baie James—Nunavik—Eeyou in support of Private Members Bill C-262 on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). Wayne spoke about the need to have domestic legislation in Canada making UNDRIP enforceable in domestic law.
https://iitio.org/iitio-undrip/
Key Global Affairs Meetings
October 6, 2017 in Toronto
Global Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland, Global Affairs – NAFTA Indigenous Trade Chapter – TK in IP issue – Paper Presented to Think IP Tank
https://iitio.org/minister-global-affairs/
Fall 2018 IITIO Trade Mission and Conference Day 1
Global Affairs Vancouver – West Coast Office hosted Day 1 of the Fall 2018 IITIO Trade Mission and Conference.
Christian Hansen, Director General, Global Affairs Canada; Jennifer Hooper, Business Relations, BC Ministry of Trade.
https://iitio.org/christian-hansen-global-affairs/
December 2017 Nicole Van Hove, Trade Commissioner, Pacific Regional Office – Joint Presentation, CANDO Links to Learning Conference
Spring 2017 IITIO Trade Mission and Conference, University of Oklahoma
Blanket ceremony honouring Sara Wilshaw, Head of Trade for North America, Global Affairs Canada (ex Consul General, Texas and Southwestern United States)
October 1, 2018 – Ottawa – with Trade Minister Jim Carr, working strategy dinner at Global Affairs Canada to discuss WTO and USMCA
April 10, 2018 – Ottawa – with Ailisha Campbell, Chief Trade Commissioner & Assistant Deputy Minister, Global Affairs discussing reporting and tracking of Indigenous Trade with the Canadian Trade Commission Service
July 2017-September 2018, weekly meetings on the NAFTA Indigenous Trade Chapter with Monika Surma, Senior Trade Policy Advisor (took over from Danielle Belanger – Director – Partnerships and Coordination – Economic Policy Development)
Meeting monthly since July 2017, Robert Brookfield, Deputy Legal Advisor and DG – (NAFTA Indigenous Trade Chapter)
Claude Dagenais, Trade Commissioner – Indigenous Business, Global Affairs – Ottawa (Mohawks of Akwesasane – briefing Summer 2016)
Winter 2018 Christine Wong, Deputy Director, Domestic Engagement Unit in the Trade Missions, Consultations and Outreach Division (co-presented at NCAIED RES Las Vegas)
https://iitio.org/las-vegas-2018/
Joint IITIO & Global Affairs Initiatives
International Intertribal Trade and Investment Organization, IITIO Trade Mission and Conference – Led & organized two Conferences jointly with Thompson Rivers University – Faculty of Law- Kamloops British Columbia, on November 11 & 12, 2016 and on September 21, 22 and 23, 2018. (Christian Hansen, Director General, Global Affairs Canada with Rosi Niedermayer, Trade Commissioner – Indigenous Business, Global Affairs – Vancouver )
International Intertribal Trade and Investment Organization, IITIO Trade Mission and Conference – Led & organized Conference jointly with the University of Oklahoma, College of Law – Norman, Oklahoma June 5-6, 2017 (Sara Wilshaw, Consul General of Canada for Texas and Oklahoma)
https://iitio.org/cpn-ironhorse/
International Intertribal Trade and Investment Organization, IITIO Trade Mission and Conference – Led & organized Conference jointly with Global Affairs Consular Office – Dallas and the University of Oklahoma, College of Law – Norman, Oklahoma June 3-5, 2018 (Vasken Khabayan, acting Consul General of Canada for Texas and Oklahoma and Monika Surma, Senior Trade Policy Advisor)
International Intertribal Trade and Investment Organization, IITIO Trade Mission and Conference – Led & organized Conference jointly with Global Affairs Canada – Pacific Region and Thompson Rivers University, Faculty of Law – Kamloops, British Columbia, September 21-23, 2018 (Christian Hansen, Director General, Global Affairs Canada – Pacific Region, with Rosi Niedermayer, Trade Commissioner – Indigenous Business, Global Affairs – Vancouver ). Keynote Speakers were His Excellency, Daniel Mellsop, New Zealand High Commissioner to Canada and Jamaica, BC Minister of Trade George Chow and Dr. Robert Joseph, Senior faculty law professor (University of Waikato) an expert in New Zealand Indigenous law
Canadian Indigenous Trade Mission to New Zealand led by Omar Alghabra, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade and His Excellency, Mario Bot, Canadian High Commissioner to New Zealand – Auckland – Hamilton – Rotorua October 8-12, 2018
Global Affairs Canada Omar Alghabra, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade and His Excellency, Mario Bot, Canadian High Commissioner to New Zealand leading the Canadian Trade Mission to the World Indigenous Business Forum 2018 – Rotorua, New Zealand, October 9-11, 2018
Omar Alghabra, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade opening the WIBF Canadian Business Networking Event for the Canadian Indigenous Trade Mission – Rotorua, New Zealand, October 10, 2018.
IITIO executive member, Dr. Jim Collard, presenting on Indigenous Foreign Trade Zones at the World Indigenous Business Forum 2018 – Rotorua, New Zealand, October 10, 2018
Key International Meetings
February 20, 2018 Great meeting with His Excellency, Martin Vizcarra, then Ambassador for Peru in Canada (now President of Peru). Discussion was around Indigenous Trade, Reconciliation and Recognizing Indigenous Economic Rights.
IITIO Chair Wayne Garnons-Williams has Indigenous Trade Discussion with President of Peru. https://iitio.org/president-of-peru/
December 18, 2017 and March 29, 2018 Great meetings with New Zealand High Commissioner to Canada, Mr. Daniel Mellsop briefing his office on the work of the IITIO executive (www.iitio.org) and discussing Indigenous Trade policy, law and meaningful economic opportunities between Canada, New Zealand and others nation-states to embrace Global Indigenous Trade.
Read more on Tribal Trade between New Zealand and Canada https://iitio.org/new-zealand1/
December 2016; January 2017 & February 27 · 2018
National Center for American Indian Economic Development (NCAIED) President Chris James and IITIO Chair Wayne Garnons-Williams lead panels on International Inter-tribal Trade and the NAFTA Indigenous Chapter.
https://iitio.org/las-vegas-2018/
September 18, 2017 – Very pleased with the official endorsement and support for an Indigenous Chapter in NAFTA by the Canadian Parliamentary Standing Committee on International Trade in their December 2017 Report, Chapter 7; section D, Recommendation 28, page 69 & 70. Wayne Garnons-Williams is honoured to have made submissions on behalf of IITIO.
June 14, 2018 IITIO appeared before the Canadian Senate Committee on Trade, Banking and Commerce to present on the subject of emerging trade issues, in particular international Indigenous trade.
https://iitio.org/senate-trade/
April 16 & 17, 2018 IITIO was part of the official Canadian Delegation that attended and spoke on Indigenous Trade with New Zealand representatives at 17th Session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, Canadian Delegation – Representations to Minister Carolyn Bennett and Minister Jane Philpott – New York City, New York State
Governor Mary Fallin (annually) Oklahoma Governor’s International Team helps IITIO for the spring IITIO Tribal Trade Mission and Conference (2017, 2018 & 2019)
Madame Justice Yvonne Kauger, Oklahoma Superior Court Judge and organizer of the Oklahoma Supreme Court Sovereignty Symposium – IITIO has been invited to speak about NAFTA and the Indigenous Trade Chapter in their 2017, 2018 conferences and we will be coming back for the 2019 conference.
https://iitio.org/sovereignty-symposium/
During the NAFTA renegotiations, IITIO executive members and their supporters worked hard behind the scenes and obtained early outside third-party support in writing, for an Indigenous Chapter in a renegotiated NAFTA from (see attachments)
- National Congress of American Indians
- Key Mexican Indigenous groups
- International Council of the Great Lakes
- Canadian Law Deans
- Shuswap Nation Tribal Council
May 9, 2018 the International Inter-Tribal Trade and Investment Organization (IITIO) met for the morning with Ontario Ministry of Trade representatives and then in the afternoon of the same day briefed the Ontario Ministry of Intergovernmental Affairs and Indigenous Affairs on the issues of Global Indigenous Trade and NAFTA and the Indigenous Trade Chapter.
https://iitio.org/ontario-trade/
VIP Presentations at IITIO Conferences
David Nimmo, CEO Chickasaw Nation Industries
Vince Logan, Special Trustee for American Indians, Senior Advisor for Permanens Capital – Tribal Wealth Practice; Member, Osage Nation
Wayne Christian, Tribal Chair, Shuswap Nation Tribal Council
Grand Chief Joseph T. Norton, Mohawk Council of Kahnawake
Miles Richardson, O.C. Director, National Consortium for Indigenous Economic Development; Member, Haida Nation
B.C. AFN Regional Chief, Terry Teegee
Chief Troy Thompson, Kaweno:ke District, Mohawk Council of Akwesasne
Tribal Chairman John “Rocky” Barrett, Citizen Potawatomi Nation
B.C. AFN Regional Chief Shane Gottfriedson
Keith Matthew, President and Director, Southern British Columbia, Cando. Former Chief, Simpcw First Nation
Shane Jett, CEO, Citizen Potawatomi Nation Development Corp & U.S. President’s Tribal Representative
Chief Dan Miskokomon, Bkejwanong Walpole Island First Nation
Dr. Dara Kelly, Simon Fraser University
Ray Wanuch, Executive Director, Cando
Chief Judy Wilson, Union of BC Indians
Patrick Kelly, CEO Coastal First Nation/ Great Bear Initiative
Valerie Devol, Managing Partner – Devol & Associates
Dr. Ron Ignace, Chief Skeetchestn Nation
The Honourable David Zimmer, Ontario Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation
The Honourable George Chow, Minister of State for Trade
His Excellency Mr. Daniel Mellsop, New Zealand High Commissioner to Canada
Dr. Robert Joseph, Senior Faculty Law Professor, New Zealand Indigenous Law, University of Waikato
Chief Roy Fox, Kainai First Nation, CEO Indian Resource Council of Canada
Sara Wilshaw, Head of Trade for North America, Global Affairs Canada (former Consul General – Texas)
Vasken Khabayan, Acting Consul General for Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas
Christian Hansen, Director General, Global Affairs Canada – Pacific Region
IITIO Presentations 2017
Here are speaking engagements at which IITIO has expressly supported the efforts of Global Affairs to move forward with an Indigenous Chapter:
- Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI)– Bridging International Humans Rights, Trade and Investment Law – Ottawa – January 20, 2017
- International Intertribal Trade and Investment Organization, IITIO Trade Mission and Conference – Led & organized Conference with the University of Oklahoma, College of Law – June 4-6, 2017
- Supreme Court of Oklahoma – 30th Sovereignty Symposium, Global Indigenous Economic Development – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – June 7-8, 2017
- National Centre for American Indian Economic Development (NCAIED) – North West Enterprise Development Conference – International Intertribal Trade – How Do We Get Into Exporting and How Are We Innovative? – Tulalip Resort Casino, Tulalip, Washington State, September 4-7, 2017
- International Economic Development Council (IEDC) – Annual Conference – Indigenous Trade and Investment – Toronto – September 17 to 23, 2017
- Canadian Parliamentary Standing Committee on International Trade – Priorities of Canadian Stakeholders having an Interest in Bilateral and Trilateral Trade in North America, Between Canada, USA and Mexico, Standing Committee on International Trade (CIIT), Ottawa, September 18, 2017
- Council for the Advancement of Native Economic Development Officers, Regional Links to Learning Education Program, Getting Ready for Indigenous Trade – Edmonton, Alberta, September 19-21, 2017 to
- Council for the Advancement of Native Economic Development Officers, Regional Links to Learning Education Program, Getting Ready for Indigenous Trade – Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, September 26-28, 2017
- Council for the Advancement of Native Economic Development Officers, Annual National Conference, Global Indigenous Trade – October 23-26, Fredericton, New Brunswick, October 23-26, 2017
- Capacity Canada – 9th annual Manulife Board of Governance AGM – Indigenous Trade and Good Governance – Waterloo, November 15-18, 2017
- Aboriginal Financial Officers Association (AFOA) – Atlantic Canada Fall Conference- Intertribal Trade – Anticipating Change, Halifax, Nova Scotia, November 21-22, 2017
- Queen’s University, Faculty of Law – Economic Development and NAFTA Indigenous Trade Chapter, Kingston, November 29, 2017
- Council for the Advancement of Native Economic Development Officers (Cando), Regional Links to Learning Education Program, Getting Ready for Indigenous Trade – Vancouver, British Columbia, December 13-15, 2017
IITIO Presentations 2018
- Assembly of First Nations (AFN) – Chiefs Committee on Economic Development – NAFTA Indigenous Trade Chapter – Round 6 NAFTA discussions – Montreal January 23, 2018
- McGill University – Faculty of Law Journal of Sustainable Development Law – Annual Colloquium – Keynote Address – “Trade Agreements and Sustainable Development in an Age of Rising Protectionism,” Montréal, February 9, 2018
- National Centre for American Indian Economic Development (NCAIED) – RES Las Vegas – Global Indigenous Trade – NAFTA and Beyond – Las Vegas, Nevada, March 4-8, 2018
- Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB), First Nations Export Forum – Expert Panel – Toronto, March 8, 2018
- 17th Session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, Canadian Delegation – Representations to Minister Carolyn Bennett and Minister Jane Philpott – New York City, New York State, April 16 & 17, 2018
- International Council of the Great Lakes Region (CGLR), Great Lakes Economic Forum 2018 – Great Lakes International Tribal Trade – Montreal, May 3-4, 2018
- University of Waterloo, Balsillie School of International Affairs, International Sustainable Development Law Symposium, Global Indigenous Trade – Waterloo, May 30-31, 2018
- International Intertribal Trade and Investment Organization, IITIO Trade Mission and Conference – Led & organized Conference with the University of Oklahoma College of Law – Norman, Oklahoma June 3-5, 2018
- Supreme Court of Oklahoma – 31st Sovereignty Symposium, Global Indigenous Trade, NAFTA and the Indigenous Chapter – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – June 6-7, 2018
- International Intertribal Trade and Investment Organization, IITIO Trade Mission and Conference – Led & organized Conference with Thompson Rivers University, Faculty of Law – Kamloops, British Columbia, September 21-23, 2018
- IITIO was part of Canada’s first official Indigenous Trade Mission to New Zealand with Parliamentary Secretary for Trade Omar Alghabra and High Commissioner for Canada to New Zealand, Mario Bot – Auckland, New Zealand Monday October 8 and Tuesday October 9, 2018
- World Indigenous Business Forum 2018 – Global Indigenous Trade, NAFTA, UNDRIP and the Indigenous Chapter Dr. James Collard and Wayne Garnons-Williams presented as keynote speakers at the World Indigenous Forum Conference. Rotorua, New Zealand Wednesday October 10 and Thursday October 11, 2018
- IITIO attended the Maori Law Society 30th Anniversary Conference, to brief members on International Indigenous Trade Law matters, in Rotorua, New Zealand at the Mokoia Campus of the Too-Ohomai Institute of Technology – Friday October 12 and Saturday October 14
- Wayne Garnons-Williams guest lectured on behalf of IITIO at the Faculty of Law, University of Waikato, as guest of Professor Robert Joseph and Dean of Law, Professor Wayne Rumbles on the topic of Indigenous International Trade – Hamilton, New Zealand – Tuesday October 16, 2018
- Wayne Garnons-Williams on behalf of IITIO presented at Faculty of Law, University of Auckland Symposium “What an alternative & progressive trade strategy should look like” as a guest of Professor Jane Kelsey and Professor Amokura Kawharu. – Auckland, New Zealand – Thursday October 18 and&Friday October 19, 2018
- Wayne Garnons-Williams on behalf of IITIO presented at Faculty of Law, University of Windsor, World Indigenous Law Conference on the topic of “The Case for a Separate yet Integrated Indigenous Traditional Knowledge Regime in Global Trade” Windsor, Ontario, November 18-21, 2018
- Dr. Lindsay Robertson, Faculty Director, Center for the Study of American Indian Law and Policy at the College of Law, University of Oklahoma, met with a visiting Indigenous Japanese delegation of professors (Professor Kenichi Ochiai and Professor Teruki Tsunemoto) from the Center of Ainu and Indigenous Legal Studies, University of Hokkaido as well as Japanese government and Industry representatives to discuss Indigenous peoples law in the United States in early December 2018.
Presentations 2019
- Center for Innovation and Governance Insight (CIGI), Traditional Knowledge in Intellectual Property – Toronto, Ontario March 1-2, 2019
- University of Ottawa, Faculty of Law, Understanding International Indigenous Trade, Ottawa, Ontario – March 19, 2019
- Affiliated Tribes of the Northwest Indians Economic Development Corporation (ATNI-EDC),Economic Summit, International Cross-border Cost Salish Inter-tribal Trade – Portland, Oregon – April 8-10, 2019
- International Council of the Great Lakes Region (CGLR), Great Lakes Economic Forum, Indigenous Great Lakes Trade - Cleveland, Ohio – May 6-8, 2019
- Supreme Court of Oklahoma –32nd Sovereignty Symposium, Internaiotnal Indigenous Trade Rights and the Indigenous Trade Chapter – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – June 5-6, 2019
- International Intertribal Trade and Investment Organization, IITIO Trade Mission and Conference – Led & Organized Conference jointly with the University of Oklahoma, College of Law – Norman Oklahoma June 2-4, 2019
Conclusion
The last three years have seen great advancements in the development of International Indigenous Trade. On behalf of the IITIO Executive I extend heartfelt thanks to all the American Tribal Nations, Canadian First Nations and Maori of New Zealand who have contributed of their time, knowledge, wisdom and generosity to advance international Indigenous trade. Our internationally trading Indigenous businesses are leading the way in setting the example for environmentally sustainable economic development. This is our Indigenous economic engine, driving economic prosperity for all Indigenous peoples; crafted by and among Indigenous peoples and encouraged by supportive Nation-States. We look forward to working with all our members and stakeholders during another productive and prosperous year.
Yours most respectfully,
The IITIO Chair
Wayne Garnons-Williams B.A., LL.B, M.P.A., LL.M.
Chair, International Intertribal Trade and Investment Organization
www.iitio.org – (613) 614-6277
Senior Lawyer & Principal Director, Garwill Law Professional Corporation
www.garwilllaw.com – (613) 778-8685
Principal Director, Indigenous Sovereign Trade Consultancy Ltd.
https://inter-tribal.com/ – (613) 614-6277
Chair, National Sixties Scoop Healing Foundation of Canada
www.nationalhealingfoundation.com
Research Fellow, Comparative and Federal Indigenous Law
College of Law, University of Oklahoma https://law.ou.edu/
Legal Fellow, Centre for International Sustainable Development Law (CISDL)
