Canada's indigenous groups seek ties with Israel

By GREER FAY CASHMAN
The Assembly of First Nations, which represents all the indigenous nations of Canada, wants to establish a diplomatic mission in Israel. Members of an AFN delegation that included several chiefs of various nations met on Wednesday with President Moshe Katsav to tell him how much they have been inspired by Israel in their quest to reclaim their own national identities, cultures and territories. In the course of the meeting, Peter Barrow, Chief of the Indian Island, New Brunswick proposed that Israel start a diplomatic relationship with the indigenous people of Canada. "You know how hard it was for you to be recognized," he said. "We want to establish a diplomatic mission here. We are looking to become globally accepted and global players."