Identifier | Created | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|
05OTTAWA3309 | 2005-11-07 17:19:00 | UNCLASSIFIED | Embassy Ottawa |
1. SUMMARY. Post proposes a six-day funded Voluntary Visitor program for Lillian Thomson, Winnipeg City Councillor and Secretary of Urban Aboriginal Opportunities, focused on U.S. approaches to Native American Affairs and urban indigenous populations at the federal, state and local levels. Proposed program dates are January 8-13, 2006. Ms. Thomson has full-country team approval. END SUMMARY. START FIXED-FORMAT TEXT (PLEASE DO NOT EDIT): : The following data is in a fixed format which enables : automated processing in Washington and should not be : edited except by means of the Post-EVDB software. EXPORT-SOURCE: POST-EVDB VERSION: 3.0.7 POST-EMAIL: slw@pd.state.gov TRANSMITTING-POST: PAS Ottawa TRANSMITTING-POST-ID: 6540 EXPORT-TYPE: BIO DATA START NOMINATION: ECA-OFFICE: E/VFA PROG-AGENCY-NAME: POST-PROJ-ID: 366 ECA-PROJ-NO: PROJ-NAME: Thomas, Lillian - VV START MEMO PROJ-DESC: An individual voluntary visitor program to enable a city councillor in the Canadian city with the largest population of indigenous people to explore U.S. best practices in addressing the social and economic needs of urban indigenous populations. Visitor will cover international airfare. The post requests Voluntary Visitor funding for domestic travel and per diem for six nights (Jan 8-13). END MEMO PROJ-DESC: PROJ-TYPE: Individual PROG-TYPE: Voluntary Visitor FY: 2006 DEPART-POST: 01/08/2006 SESSION-DATE: RETURN-POST: 01/14/2006 NO-OF-PART: 1 RANK-ORDER: 0 START MEMO POST-OBJ: Canada shares with the United States the heritage of the indigenous people who inhabited North America before the advent of European settlers. Today, native Americans and Canada's "First Nations" and aboriginal peoples face similar challenges in adapting and harmonizing their traditional lifestyles and values with the economic and cultural demands of the modern milieu in which they find themselves. Canadians, like Americans, continue to discuss approaches to preserving and respecting indigenous heritage while at the same time seeking viable economic and social avenues for integrating them into modern society. Winnipeg is the capital and largest city in the Canadian province of Manitoba. Fully 680,000 of Manitoba's 1.2 million people live in Winnipeg, and the city has become the destination of choice for thousands of aboriginals (as they are now known in Canada) fleeing poverty in Manitoba's remote northern reserves. Winnipeg's rapidly growing Indian population now makes up one-tenth of the city's total, and at current rates, could approach 100,000 (one-sixth of the total population) by 2020. The post proposes a program to allow influential Winnipeg city councillor Lillian Thomas to engage with U.S. federal, state and local officials to better understand the range of programs and institutions in the United States which help native Americans adapt to urban lifestyles. The program supports the post's interest in promoting dialogue and possible trade and economic exchange between Canada and the U.S., as well as the MPP goal focused on broadening Canadian understanding of the values and attitudes that underlie U.S. policy goals and objectives. Ms. Thomas' travel may also open new opportunities for American Indian groups to expand cross-border contacts in trade. Since being appointed by Winnipeg's mayor as Secretary of Urban Aboriginal Opportunities for the city of Winnipeg, Thomas has worked to develop a better understanding of the issues confronting Indians migrating to the city from remote reservations. She has been keen to learn of different approaches taken in different cities in Canada, and now is eager to learn about what is being done in the United States. She is particularly interested in innovative programs that have proven successful in U.S. cities and that could be usefully adapted to Winnipeg's situation. Post proposes Washington, DC and Arizona for the exchange sites, but welcomes suggestions from ECA/PE/V/F/A on destinations that can best accommodate Thomas's interests. Other U.S. sites Thomas expressed interest in include the Indian Housing Loan Guarantee program being initiated by the Office of Native American programs in Denver, and the Seattle Indian Center, which provides a wide variety of services to native people. Arizona shares several similarities with Manitoba. In both jurisdictions, Indians make up a larger percentage of the population than the national average, are moving in large numbers from rural reservations to the cities, and are having similar problems adjusting to life in urban environments. In both locations, the recent migrants from remote reservations struggle with the consequences of addiction, poverty and homelessness. We believe it would be useful for Thomas to see the approach taken by U.S. cities to their native American populations, and also to develop contacts with those involved in developing and implementing services designed to help alleviate the problems, spawning contacts that will endure beyond the immediate future. After the program concludes, Thomas will be in a position to convey to Canadian native groups, the media and the general public what she saw and learned on her visit. We anticipate this will create a significant multiplier effect beyond Thomas herself. She will also be in a position to implement the ideas she has seen in U.S. cities when she returns to Winnipeg. Winnipeg has the largest urban Indian population of any Canadian city, and other Canadian cities are looking to Winnipeg for ideas on how to aid the transition. Ms. Thomas has expressed a willingness to share her experiences with the network of professional colleagues she has developed in the field across Canada. English is Ms. Thomas' primary language. An escort officer, if available, may help the participant navigate the cities, but is not required. END MEMO POST-OBJ: START MEMO POST-RCMD: END MEMO POST-RCMD: ECA-OFFICE-ID: 1029 PROG-AGENCY-ID: PROJ-TYPE-ID: IND PROG-TYPE-ID: 30 NOMINATING-POST-ID: 6540 FUNDING-CNTRY-ID: STATUS: N ORIGINATOR: P SUBJ-DISC: Social Issues START BIO: PREFIX: Ms. F-NAME: Lillian M-NAME: Jean L-NAME: Thomas SUFFIX: POSITION-CODE: 136 PRINCIPAL?: Yes GENDER: F DOB: 06/25/1949 MAR-STAT: BIRTH-CITY: Port Arthur,Ontario BIRTH-CNTRY: Canada CITIZ-CNTRY: Canada RES-CNTRY: Canada START MEMO POSITION: Winnipeg City Councillor and Secretary of Urban Aboriginal Opportunities END MEMO POSITION: START MEMO OTHER-POSITIONS: END MEMO OTHER-POSITIONS: START MEMO PREV-POSITIONS: City Councillor - Secretary of Intergovernmental Affairs City Councillor - Deputy Mayor City Councillor (16 Years) END MEMO PREV-POSITIONS: START MEMO US-TRAVEL: Many visits, none funded by the United States END MEMO US-TRAVEL: START MEMO OTHER-TRAVEL: END MEMO OTHER-TRAVEL: START MEMO EDUCATION: M.A. - Sociology END MEMO EDUCATION: START MEMO MEMBERSHIPS: n/a END MEMO MEMBERSHIPS: START MEMO PUBLICATIONS: none END MEMO PUBLICATIONS: START MEMO SPEC-CONSID: Low Salt No MSG Allergic to hazlenuts Non-smoker END MEMO SPEC-CONSID: FIRST-LANG: English ENGL-READ: 5 ENGL-SPEAK: 5 ENGL-COMP: 5 START OTHER-LANGS: OTHER-LANG: French OTHER-LANG-ID: FR READ: 2 SPEAK: 2 COMP: 2 END OTHER-LANGS: START OTHER-LANGS: OTHER-LANG: Ukrainian OTHER-LANG-ID: UK READ: 1 SPEAK: 1 COMP: 1 END OTHER-LANGS: START MEMO NOM-POST-OBJ: Canada shares with the United States the heritage of the indigenous people who inhabited North America before the advent of European settlers. Today, native Americans and Canada's "First Nations" and aboriginal peoples face similar challenges in adapting and harmonizing their traditional lifestyles and values with the economic and cultural demands of the modern milieu in which they find themselves. Canadians, like Americans, continue to discuss approaches to preserving and respecting indigenous heritage while at the same time seeking viable economic and social avenues for integrating them into modern society. Winnipeg is the capital and largest city in the Canadian province of Manitoba. Fully 680,000 of Manitoba's 1.2 million people live in Winnipeg, and the city has become the destination of choice for thousands of aboriginals (as they are now known in Canada) fleeing poverty in Manitoba's remote northern reserves. Winnipeg's rapidly growing Indian population now makes up one-tenth of the city's total, and at current rates, could approach 100,000 (one-sixth of the total population)by 2020. The post proposes a program to allow influential Winnipeg city councillor Lillian Thomas to engage with U.S. federal, state and local officials to better understand the range of programs and institutions in the United States which help native Americans adapt to urban lifestyles. The program supports the post's interest in promoting dialogue and possible trade and economic exchange between Canada and the U.S., as well as the MPP boal focused on broadening Canadian understanding of the values and attitudes that underlie U.S. policy goals and objectives. Ms. Thomas' travel may also open new opportunities for American Indian groups to expand cross-border contacts in trade and in meeting the needs of aboriginal populations. Since being appointed by Winnipeg's mayor as Secretary of Urban Aboriginal Opportunities for the city of Winnipeg, Thomas has worked to develop a better understanding of the issues confronting Indians migrating to the city from remote reservations. She has been keen to learn of different approaches taken in different cities in Canada, and now is eager to learn about what is being done in the United States. She is particularly interested in innovative programs that have proven successful in U.S. cities and that could be usefully adapted to Winnipeg's situation. END MEMO NOM-POST-OBJ: START MEMO NOM-POST-RCMD: Post proposes Washington, DC and Arizona as program sites, but welcomes the Voluntary Visitor office's recommendations. Thomas expressed interest in including the Indian Housing Loan Guarantee program being initiated by the Office of Native American programs in Denver, and the Seattle Indian Center, which provides a wide variety of services to native people. Arizona shares several similarities with Manitoba. In both jurisdictions, Indians make up a larger percentage of the population than the national average, are moving in large numbers from rural reservations to the cities, and are having similar problems adjusting to life in urban environments. In both locations, the recent migrants from remote reservations struggle with the consequences of addiction, poverty and homelessness. We believe it would be useful for Thomas to see the approach taken by U.S. cities to their native American populations, and also to develop contacts with those involved in developing and implementing services designed to help alleviate the problems, spawning contacts that will endure beyond the immediate future. Washington program elements would include: -- Bureau of Indian Affairs (Department of Interior), to discuss their programs aimed at aiding native Americans who migrate to urban areas --Arizona congressional office representing district with large American Indian population --HUD, HHS, and other USG agencies dealing with Indian urban integration --Lobby groups advocating native American rights and interests --Think tanks or organizations doing work on Indian issues --The National Museum of the American Indian, particularly programs the museum may be doing in the way of urban integration, economic development or social issues evening travel to Arizona (Tucson) Visit Native Dispute Resolution Network; meet with Tucson city councillor; visit HUD field office; urban Indian associations and tribal governments Evening travel to Phoenix Visit National Centre for American Indian Enterprise Mesa Indian Affairs Commission, Phoenix END MEMO NOM-POST-RCMD: START MEMO VIS-OBJ: END MEMO VIS-OBJ: START MEMO VIS-REC: END MEMO VIS-REC: NOMINATING-OFFICER: Principal Office Todd Schwartz START MEMO NOMINATING-JUSTIFICATION: Since being appointed by Winnipeg's mayor as Secretary of Urban Aboriginal Opportunities for the city of Winnipeg, Lillian Thomas has worked to develop a better understanding of the issues confronting Indians migrating to the city from remote reservations. She has been keen to learn of different approaches taken in different cities in Canada, and now is eager to learn about what is being done in the United States. She is particularly interested in innovative programs that have proven successful in U.S. cities and that could be usefully adapted to Winnipeg's situation. Her visit will expose her to U.S. economic and social policies and players which may The proposed program (see full proposal under "Post Objectives") supports the Mission's MPP prosperity goal and the North American Security and Prosperity Partnership. Results of this exchange may include increased contact between central Canadian leaders and American counterparts, policy innovations that will advance both countries interests in meeting the economic and social needs of indigenous populations, and increased Canadian appreciation of U.S. commitment to equal opportunity and celebration of diverse cultures in our country. END MEMO NOMINATING-JUSTIFICATION: NOM-OFF: APP Winnipeg SPEAKER?: No NOTIFY-EMB: No MEDIA?: No HOME-STAY: No HOME-HOSP?: Yes E-I-TYPE: ELEO NOMINEE-ID: 538 PERSON-ID: 416 BIRTH-CNTRY-ID: CA CITIZ-CNTRY-ID: CA RES-CNTRY-ID: CA FIRST-LANG-ID: EN E-I-TYPE-ID: E NOM-POST-ID: 6540 NOM-FUNDING-CNTRY-ID: 179098 NOM-STATUS: N DS2019-ACTION: 1 DS2019-SUBJECT: 45.1201 SPONS-FUNDS: 0 SPONS-AGENCY1: USGOVT-AGENCY1: US-AGENCY-AMT1: 0 USGOVT-AGENCY2: US-AGENCY-AMT2: 0 INTL-ORG1: INTL-ORG-AMOUNT1: 0 INTL-ORG2: INTL-ORG-AMOUNT2: 0 VIS-GOVT-AMT: 0 COMMISSION: 0 OTHER-AMOUNT: 0 VIS-AMOUNT: 0 VIS-CAT: 5 END BIO: END NOMINATION: END FIXED-FORMAT TEXT: WILKINS |