From left, Indigenous Leadership Development Institute CEO Rosa Walker, Canadian Senior Trade Commissioner Francis Huot, Andrew Carrier and Te Ohu Whai Ao's Tatiana Kiwi-Knight. Photo/Stephen Parker
From left, Indigenous Leadership Development Institute CEO Rosa Walker, Canadian Senior Trade Commissioner Francis Huot, Andrew Carrier and Te Ohu Whai Ao's Tatiana Kiwi-Knight. Photo/Stephen Parker
Dave Archambault, the former chairman of the Sioux tribe Standing Rock who gained global attention for their opposition to the Dakota Access Pipeline, will speak to the World Indigenous Business Forum in Rotorua in October.
This week, forum organisers, Canadian and New Zealand Government representatives, Rotorua Lakes Council, and the Te Ohu Whai Ao (TOWA) Māori Indigenous Business Development Trust have been in Rotorua to finalise plans for the October 9-11 event.
Delegations from more than 25 countries and representatives for more than 500 indigenous businesses were expected to attend the ninth annual event.
From left, Indigenous Leadership Development Institute CEO Rosa Walker, Canadian Senior Trade Commissioner Francis Huot, Andrew Carrier and Te Ohu Whai Ao's Tatiana Kiwi-Knight. Photo/Stephen Parker
Te Ohu Whai Ao chairman Richard Jefferies said Archambault "was a shining light of the thinking of a lot of indigenous groups".
Last year a US District Judge allowed the $3.8 billion pipeline to begin pumping oil from western North Dakota to a shipping point in Illinois after years of non-violent protest, and a temporary halt to the project under President Barack Obama, that was later overturned by Donald Trump.
Standing Rock Sioux continues to argue that the pipeline crosses sacred land, was approved without adequate consultation and environmental impact studies, and violates the tribe's right to practise its religion, which relies on clean water.
Jefferies said Archambault "is a good example of how amazing things can be achieved if you stick to your values".
A Rotorua haka for Standing Rock, North Dakota in November 2016. Photo/File
"He can present against the challenge that many indigenous people face: balancing environmental and cultural needs of a community with business."
Te Ohu Whai Ao deputy chairwoman Rachel Petero said Archambault's leadership united indigenous people globally.
She said "he believes in the kaupapa" and "came on board without much fuss" when approached to speak at the forum in Rotorua.
Karakia for Standing Rock at the Lakefront in Rotorua, December 2016. Photo/File
Petero said the forum aimed to connect indigenous business leaders from around the world to share their common values and challenges.
"Business gets done once the relationship is built," she said.
Jefferies said, "Most indigenous people around the world are struggling in their societies so this gives them an opportunity to lift themselves up through economic development."
Karakia for Standing Rock in Rotorua, December 2016. Photo/File
Indigenous Leadership Development Institute chairman Andrew Carrier travelled from Winnipeg, Canada for the planning meetings in Rotorua this week.
He said most of the forum events would be held at the Energy Events Centre.
The organising team was hoping for 1000 delegates.
Already 500 had registered, with another 200 currently completing the process.
"We have chosen Rotorua as the hub of Māori culture. This week we have been signing a lot of contracts, booking space."
Carrier said the conference put more than $2 million into the Santiago economy when it was held in the Chilean capital last year.
He described Rotorua as "a magical place".
"The people are respectful, and the land has a certain amount of calmness about it."
Other World Indigenous Business Forum 2018 speakers • Dr Kholode Al-Obaidli, chief learning officer at Sidra Medical and Research Centre in Qatar • 2017 New South Wales Aboriginal Woman of the Year, Kristal Kinsela • Tipene Funerals directors, Francis and Kaiora Tipene
