Dear Colleagues,

We warmly invite you to attend a side-event on Developing Indigenous-Led Climate Ventures for a Sustainable Future during UNFCCC Climate Conference / Dec 7 – 18, 2009, Copenhagen, hosted by the AFN, CISDL, the University of Toronto Center for the Environment and other international organisations.

Please note that all details are subject to confirmation from invited speakers and partners. Please check the following websites for confirmation and updates on all event details: www.afn.ca and www.cisdl.org.

Thursday, December 17, 2009, 18:00 – 19:30/ EITA Room 3, Mt Everest Foyer,

Crowne Plaza Copenhagen Towers (just outside Bella Center)

Indigenous Peoples’ rights and title to forests, peat lands, wetlands and other carbon sinks provide a unique opportunity to develop a rights based approach for combating climate change. As recognized in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, there is a need to develop climate change and other policies that respect Indigenous ownership, traditional knowledge, economic development priorities, conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. Indigenous Peoples, especially the youth, need access to education and empowerment opportunities to take a leading role in sustainable development and the growing conservation economy. This Panel Discussion features Indigenous leaders from around the world speaking on about climate change impacts on Indigenous Peoples, and how Indigenous Peoples can develop and lead mitigation and adaptation ventures. Leaders will address the importance of forests in combating climate change, the connection between Indigenous Peoples and forests, and the integral role of the land in the economic development of many Indigenous Peoples. The event considers opportunities for Indigenous Peoples in developing and leading forestry and agricultural mitigation and adaptation projects, and new forms of education and employment.

Event Co-chairs:

- Barbara Hendrickson/Stephen Scharper, Centre for the Environment, University of Toronto

- Stuart Wuttke, Acting Director, Environmental Stewardship, Assembly of First Nations (Canada)

18:00 – 18:30 Welcome & Key Note: Grand Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo, Assembly of First Nations

A presentation of the Assembly of First Nations’ Platform of Principles of Environmental Stewardship, and a discussion of essential elements needed for successful Indigenous-led forest based mitigation and adaptation projects.

18:30 – 19:20 Expert-Led Conversations on Forest Based Mitigation and Adaptation Ventures

- Regional Chief Bill Erasmus, North West Territories, Dene Nation*

- Grand Chief Stan Beardy, Nishnawbe Aski Nation*

- Dave Porter, Executive Member, First Nations Summit, Kaska Dena Nation*

- Joe Morrison, Chief Executive Officer, NAILSMA*

- Indigenous Speaker, Tebtebba*/IWGIA*

19:20-19:30 Closing Remarks: Looking to the Future

- Marie-Claire Cordonier Segger/Tracy Coates, Centre for International Sustainable Development Law

This panel discussion is co-hosted by the Assembly of First Nations, NAILSMA,* and Tebtebba* with the University of Toronto Centre for the Environment, and the Centre for International Sustainable Development Law (CISDL). Our grateful thanks to all the speakers for their contributions and wisdom.

COP Delegates and friends welcome from Indigenous Peoples, government and intergovernmental organizations, civil society representatives, business representatives, students and others. For more information, please email swuttke@afn.ca with CC to info@cisdl.org.  Please check www.afn.ca and www.cisdl.org for updates to the programme.

*To be confirmed