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VANCOUVER - High profile speakers and an array of delegates from around the world, will gather in Vancouver (Oct. 24th and 25th), to attend the first International Indigenous Forum that will focus on how indigenous cultures can harmonize and flourish in the midst of an economically driven western society, and achieve success through good government and economic development.

Nobel prize nominee and Canada's long serving Foreign Affairs Minister the Hon. Lloyd Axworthy (now the CEO of UBC's Lui Centre for the Study of Global Issues and international affairs advisor with Fraser Milner Casgrain), will co-chair the two day conference with the President of the Nisga'a Lisims Government, Dr. Joseph Gosnell. British Columbia's Lieutenant Governor, the Honourable Iona Campagnolo will welcome attendees and give introductory remarks, while B.C. Attorney-General the Hon. Geoff Plant and his New Zealand counterpart, the Honourable Margaret Wilson, are scheduled to give keynote addresses.

The forum which has been more than two (2) years in the planning, has attracted participants from as far away as Myanmar (Burma), Bangladesh, the Philippines and Australia, as well as all parts of Canada and the United States. Organized by Vancouver-based Pacific Business and Law Institute (PBLI), a nationally recognized independent Aboriginal research and education organization, leading experts from around the world are being assembled to discuss and explain how various societies have handled change and prospered while maintaining control over their culture and destiny.

Pauline Cusack, Director of Programming at PBLI, is pleased with the level of participation given the importance of the agenda. "We are delighted to be working with so many knowledgeable leaders from around the world for this first international forum on indigenous issues. Some indigenous peoples have flourished and attained remarkable economic success while maintaining cultural cohesiveness. Our goal is to canvass the issue from a worldwide perspective and to share solutions moving forward."

Denis de Keruzec of the federal Department of Justice (a conference co- sponsor), and General Counsel to the Federal Treaty Negotiation Office, noted that, "there is no 'one' indigenous culture, so there is not 'one' solution. Answers must come from an in-depth examination of various approaches and initiatives where progress has been achieved. The conference will bring together the various personalities and experiences to make that happen." A complete list of the conference speakers follows for easy reference. Registration for the event can be obtained from PBLI, phone: 604-730-2500. Only registered delegates and faculty will be permitted in the conference room. Chair
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The Honourable Lloyd Axworthy, Liu Centre for the Study of Global Issues, UBC, Vancouver, BC and International Affairs Advisor, Fraser Milner Casgrain, Canada
Dr. Joseph Gosnell, Nisga'a Lisims Government, New Aiyansh, BC

Faculty
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Larry Baird, Ucluelet First Nation, Port Alberni, BC
Clare Beckton, Department of Justice, Ottawa, ON
John Kim Bell, National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation, Toronto, ON The Honourable Iona Campagnolo, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, Victoria, BC
Dr. Geoff Dickie, Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Brisbane, Australia
Blaine Favel, Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, Calgary, AB
Leonard D. George, Tsleil-Waututh First Nation, North Vancouver, BC
Kevin Gover, Steptoe & Johnson, LLP, Washington, DC, USA
Donna Hall, Chamber of Commerce House, Wellington, Lower Hutt, New Zealand
Philippa Horner, Native Title Division, National Circuit, Banton, Australia
Terri Janke, Terri Janke and Company, Rosebery, NSW, Australia
Andrew Lee, Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
Dr. George F. MacDonald, The Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, Seattle, WA, USA
Grand Chief Ted Moses, Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee), PQ
Grand Chief Joseph Tokwiro Norton, Mohawk Council of Kahnawake, Kahnawake, PQ
Justice Howard Olney, Federal Court of Australia, Melbourne, Australia
Chief Sophie Pierre, St. Mary's Indian Band, Cranbrook, BC
The Honourable P. Geoffrey Plant, Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Treaty Negotiations, Victoria, BC
Captain Paul Watson, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, Malibu, CA, USA
Rhonda Whiting, S&K Technologies, St. Ignatius, MT, USA
Chief Judge Joe Williams, Maori Land Court, Wellington, New Zealand
The Honourable Margaret Wilson, Attorney General and Minister in Charge of Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations, Wellington, New Zealand

For further information: or to arrange media interviews, contact Peter Baird, phone: 604-775-8141 or on cell 604-209-2687.