Press

ARCTIC ATHABASKAN COUNCIL
11 Nisutlin Drive, Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada, Y1A 3S4
telephone (867) 393-9214 or 393-9215, fax (867) 668-6577
e-mail: ncp.cyfn@yukon.net

Press Release

Leaders of Northern Indigenous Peoples Talk POPs with Nelson Mandela

7 December 2000, Johannesburg, South Africa
Leaders of the Council of Yukon First Nations, Russian Association of Indigenous Peoples of the North, Inuit Circum- polar Conference Canada, and the Premier of the Nunavut Territorial Government today met Mr. Nelson Mandela, former President of the Republic of South Africa. These northern indi- genous organizations, along with the Dene Nation and Metis Nation-NWT, form the Canadian Arctic Indigenous Peoples Against Persistent Organic Pollutants (CAIPAP).
	Pictured (L to R): Terry Fenge, Larissa Abryuotina, Carol Mills, Sheila Watt-Cloutier, Nelson Mandela, Paul Okalik, Cindy Dickson, Robert Charlie. Click image for a higher resolution version (JPEG format, approximately 390K)

Robert Charlie, Chief, Champagne/ Aishihik First Nations and Cindy Dickson, both representatives of the Council of Yukon First Nations - here in Johannesburg to attend the INC-5 negotiations on POPs - presented Mr. Mandela with a gift on behalf of Yukon First Nations.

Carole Mills of CAIPAP presented Mr. Mandela with a traditional dog whip and Denendeh book from the Dene Nation of the Northwest Territories. The ICC presented Mr. Mandela with a traditional anowak and a polar bear carving from Nunavut.

Mr. Mandela spoke of his first encounter with Indigenous people in the Arctic during an unexpected stop in Iqaluit some years ago. He had been surprised by the fact that Indigenous people in the north were aware of his ongoing struggle.

Chief Robert Charlie spoke about on-going land claims in northern Canada and thanked him for his vision and for inspiring Indigenous people worldwide.

Mr. Mandela advised Indigenous peoples to be strong and always be positive with the other side and that hopefully it will be returned.

Ms. Sheila Watt-Cloutier, President of Inuit Circumpolar Conference Canada and Vice-President of ICC, spoke on behalf of the Canadian Arctic Indigenous Peoples Against Persistent Organic Pollutants Coalition about the international negotiations underway in Johannesburg to conclude a global convention on persistent organic pollutants (POPs), including pesticides and combustion products. Some POPs end-up in the Arctic and accumulate in marine mammal fat eaten by Indigenous peoples with very worrying long-term health effects.

Mr. Mandela was very interested in this issue. He said the issue was very important and worthy of serious attention. He showed particular interest when Ms. Watt-Cloutier’s remarked that the health issue represented by POPs unites the interests of the developing and developed worlds. He agreed to be further briefed by the coalition on the issue. The coalition is currently preparing material for him to consider.

For further information contact:

Sheila Watt-Cloutier, Premier Paul Okalik or Robert Charlieat 011 269-7000 in Johannesburg, South Africa until Saturday 9^th December