First Nations’ Peoples To Play Significant Role during LWF Tenth Assembly in Canada
LWF General Secretary Urges Closer Collaboration on Common Concerns
MANITOBA, Canada/GENEVA, 24 March 2003 (LWI) - Canada’s National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN), Matthew Coon Come, and the leader of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, Grand Chief Dennis White Bird, have welcomed an invitation of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) General Secretary, Rev. Dr Ishmael Noko, to make an active contribution to the forthcoming LWF Tenth Assembly.
The Assembly theme, “For the Healing of the World,” relates very well to the context of Indigenous peoples in Canada, said Bird in a meeting with Noko on March 21. “We have the same human features, so why aren’t we the same?” he asked. Bird was referring to recent discussions with the Canadian government on issues related to self-determination and the right of Aboriginal peoples to realize their aspirations as peoples and nations, and to be distinct in terms of language, traditions and spirituality, as well as being the architects of their own future.
The general secretary invited First Nations' representatives to send a liaison person to Geneva, where the LWF is based, to work closely with the United Nations and LWF on Indigenous issues. Noko said the Federation would provide the necessary office space and infrastructure to facilitate such collaboration.
Noko also attended the National Church Council meeting of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) in Winnipeg. He congratulated the ELCIC – as the host of the LWF Tenth Assembly, on its impressive effort to involve volunteers. So far 270 people have signed up to serve as volunteers before and during the 21-31 July 2003 Assembly, to be held in Winnipeg. The Assembly is the LWF's highest decision-making body. It meets normally every six years.
Noko’s March 18-22 visit in Canada started in the capital Ottawa, where he met with AFN Chief Coon Come as well as with Canadian government officials, AFN representatives, and church leaders on March 19. He was accompanied by the ELCIC National Bishop, Raymond Schultz.
The AFN is the national organization representing First Nations citizens in Canada. The ELCIC has 188,654 members. It joined the LWF in 1986.
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