First Nations and the Toronto 2015 Pan Am Games

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Chiefs of Ontario support the creation of an Aboriginal Secretariat
to work in partnership with the Toronto 2015 Pan Am Games

TORONTO, April 20, 2011

The Chiefs of Ontario today passed a resolution at the all Ontario Chiefs Assembly supporting the creation of an Aboriginal Secretariat that will represent First Nation interests in Toronto 2015 Pan Am Games. The resolution also called for the Secretariat to receive the necessary funding to carry out its responsibilities.

"The Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games set a new standard in terms of Aboriginal involvement in an international sporting event," says Chief Bryan LaForme, Mississaugas of New Credit First Nation, Ontario. "The Aboriginal Secretariat will be an inclusive voice of Aboriginal interests in the Games."

The Aboriginal Secretariat will model itself on the Four Host First Nations Secretariat, one of the official hosts of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. The mandate of the Aboriginal Secretariat will be to facilitate Aboriginal participation in all aspects of the Games including sport, employment, culture, arts, procurement and economic development.

"The Chiefs of Ontario want to ensure the 2015 Pan Am Games respect the traditional territories of First Nations and reflect our historic traditions", says Regional Chief of Ontario Angus Toulouse. "We support creation of the Aboriginal Secretariat so that First Nations People will benefit from the Games."

ABOUT THE CHIEFS OF ONTARIO (www.coo.org)
The Chiefs of Ontario, comprising the 133 First Nations in Ontario, is a political forum and secretariat for collective decision-making, action and advocacy.

For further information:

Chief Bryan LaForme
Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation
1-905-768-1133
bryanlaforme@newcreditfirstnation.com