FY 2006 VOLUNTARY VISITOR: LILLIAN THOMSON

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 OTTAWA 003309

SIPDIS

STATE

SECSTATE FOR ECA/PE/V/F/A - MCAIN; WHA/PDA - JCARPENTER
CALGARY FOR PAS AND PASS TO WINNIPEG

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPAO OEXC SCUL CA
SUBJECT: FY 2006 VOLUNTARY VISITOR: LILLIAN THOMSON



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