Beijing, Nov 13, 2008 AEST (ABN Newswire) - A historic 12-day Aboriginal China trade mission was very warmly received at the highest levels in China over the past two weeks. Culminating with a November 13 press conference in Beijing featuring an MOU Signing Ceremony with a senior Chinese Minister, the Aboriginal business delegation included prominent Chiefs and senior Aboriginal business leaders representing Canada's Aboriginal peoples and organizations. They traveled to Chongqing, Shanghai, Xi'an and Beijing. The trade mission was organized by RCI Capital Group Inc. ("RCI") and the Native Investment & Trade Association ("NITA").
RCI Delegation Chair and NITA President Calvin Helin said that Canada's Aboriginal people own or control up to one-third of the natural resource rich Canadian land mass. "We have huge tracts of land that are rich in natural resources. Our lands are full of oil, full of diamonds, full of iron ore and ripe for responsible and sustainable development, but there is a need for infrastructure, capital investment and value-added expertise. We are here to tell China that Aboriginal Canada is open for business. We need to create mutually beneficial economic ties to lift the living standards of both Canada's poorest population (1.5 million Aboriginals) and China as a still-developing country. In doing so, I firmly believe Aboriginal Canadians can help unleash a new era of wealth creation that will not only benefit Canada's indigenous people but all of Canada." Helin is a proud member of the Lax Kw'alaams Band of the Tsimshian Nation. He wore the traditional red and black colours of his nation on a robe decorated with his family's crest at all official meetings with Chinese government and business leaders.
Chinese business leaders and officials regarded highly the fact that Aboriginal Canadians displayed their culture and spirituality at all business discussions and social gatherings. Grand Chief Morris Shannacappo, a new generation of leadership representing 36 indigenous communities from southern Manitoba, opened each presentation with an Eagle Feather and a somber traditional prayer. The prayer - recited in his native language - garnered great interest and respect from the Chinese leaders in attendance. Grand Chief Shannacappo said that "We have the utmost respect for ancient Chinese culture and civilization and we were so pleased that our sincere respect was genuinely reciprocated." Alex Nitsiza, respected elder and Chairman of Tlicho Investment Corp. said "We can sense history being made for great benefit of our future generations." The Tlicho Government owns the Tlicho Investment Corporation in the Northwest Territories. Its assets include "lock, stock and barrel" ownership of one of the most natural resource rich areas of land in Canada covering 39,000 square kilometers.
Jack Park, Director of Economic Development of the Manitoba Metis Federation said "There was an unquestionable natural affinity and kinship between the delegation and the hosts we met.
Chinese prize culture and tradition. They emphasize honourable dealings in relationships, respect for elders, treasure their young, follow long-established protocol and view things with a long-term perspective in a manner similar to indigenous people." Darrell Beaulieu, President and CEO, Denendeh Investment, Inc., a corporation from the Northwest Territories representing 27 communities, emphasized, "We have planted a seed with China that we hope to nurture, and will bear economic and cultural fruit well into future generations."
The immediate results of the trade mission featured the signing of several MOUs including one with the Provincial government of Shaanxi province following a very warm meeting in Xi'an with that province's Vice Governor and business leaders. Following a November 7th meeting, the Governor designated the Shaanxi Provincial Bureau of Economic and Technical Cooperation to sign an MOU with NITA and RCI to "work together to work together to explore mutually beneficial cooperation and investment opportunities of bettering the living standards of their respective populations and for the purpose of increasing economic cooperation, cultural understanding, mutual respect and friendships between the parties, their respective peoples and communities on various levels."
Also while in Xi'an, delegate company Terrasphere Systems executed a significant Letter of Intent with the Government of Shaanxi Province Investment Promotions Bureau, Yangling Agriculture Hi- Tech Industry Demonstration Zone Deputy Director Mr Ming Tao. "Terrasphere is a patentprotected environmentally friendly state-of-the-art agriculture production technology developed in Vancouver and Boston that will enable China to mass produce safe and clean 100% organic fruits and vegetables year-round with a 10 times per square foot ratio that of traditional greenhouse methods and without the use of pesticides;" explained Squamish Chief Gibby Jacob. Nick Brusatore, Chief Designer of Terrasphere's innovative technology commented "It's amazing to feel part of something historic afoot here." Terrasphere is a strategic partner of British Columbia's Squamish Nation near Whistler B.C.
Also while in China, the delegation participated at the 30th Anniversary meetings of Canada-China Business Council and a parallel mission by 4 Canadian premiers, the China Mining Expo and numerous private sector and government meetings arranged by RCI. They also were met by Canadian Ambassador Robert Wright and officials at the Embassy of Canada on November 12th.
The mission culminated in a private dinner reception at the historic Diaoyutai State Guest House Compound in Beijing on Nov. 12th. Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) President Mr. Chen Haosu (民 间 外 交 论 - 陈昊苏) hosted the delegation along with a cross section of high-level Chinese government and corporate leaders. Chen, Chinese Minister of Foreign Relations, offered to sponsor a major Aboriginal business and cultural delegation to follow-up in the new year and arranged to sign an MOU with NITA and RCI as part of the delegation's 3PM Nov. 13th press conference to be held at CPAFFC's office building near Tiananmen Square. The Canadian delegation also invited Chen to organize a Chinese business delegation to come to meet Aboriginals across Canada in mid 2009.
Congress of Aboriginal Peoples National Chief, Patrick Brazeau, emphasized the significant opportunity that the RCI Aboriginal Business Opportunity China trade mission offers Canada's Aboriginal community. "Canada's Aboriginal community is indeed open for business. The ties our peoples have been able to forge with potential economic partners in China through this trade mission are equally valuable to our respective trade efforts. We need to build on the momentum this mission has created. There's much opportunity for us to share our histories, our cultures and our economic opportunities. In a global economic environment fraught with challenge, we remain encouraged by the success of this trade mission. We're determined to strengthen our economic ties to the Chinese market, and we're thankful for the significant efforts the Government of China plus RCI and NITA applied to make this mission a success," said National Chief Brazeau.
Chief Councillor of the Lax Kw'alaams Band, John Helin commented "What we have accomplished on this trade mission is to set economic and cultural relations on the highest footing with our most gracious Chinese hosts. It is a historic and unprecedented event that could provide a better standard of living for our grandchildren. We need to honour the legacy or our ancestors and honourably follow up with our Chinese hosts on their pending reciprocal visit to Canada."
Chief Morley Googoo of Nova Scotia's Waycobah First Nation added, "As a result of this historic journey I believe the Chinese understand us much better and respect our culture. The feeling is mutual. I have been made to feel at home here and feel a special kinship that transcends generations. I will now return to my community to tell my elders about this other wonderful ancient land across the Bering Strait. We will help prepare a warm Atlantic Canada and traditional Whycocomagh (MÃkmaq) welcome for our new Chinese brothers so hereafter we may continue this journey with respect for Mother Earth and together in the spirit of 'One People, One Dream."
RCI China Managing Director Fred Eden commented "RCI is extremely proud of its small role in introducing the Hidden Wolf to the Crouching Tiger." Echoing the sense of history and seeing obvious cultural affinity and ancient ties between the Chinese and Canada's Aboriginals, RCI Vice President Sean Riley observed, "Who knows, going forward, we may be paving the way for a heretofore unimagined Silk Road. Having sown the seeds to facilitate this undertaking, RCI is very privileged to be part of this journey as humble bridge builders."
The ground-breaking Aboriginal trade mission to China, an economic superpower, was a huge success. "We achieved the goals we set for the trade mission and much, much more," said RCI's Renaissance Capital Inc. President Sylvain Payette. "I believe when you go out of your way to meet people and foster goodwill, mutually beneficial things happen."
About RCI Capital Group Inc. (RCI):
RCI is the largest manager of investor immigrant capital in Canada. It has been in business since 1996 with John Park as its founding President and Managing director. RCI now has over 68 employees with offices throughout Canada and Asia. It currently manages approximately $1.6 billion in investment capital for over 4,600 high net worth investors who have entered Canada, the majority of them from China. RCI has extensive experience in doing business with China, and has offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Guangzhou. The company has previously generously donated to the Shudokan Canada Karate and Education Society‐‐an initiative intended to help inner city (particularly Aboriginal) children and youth through training in martial arts and self‐discipline.
About Native Investment and Trade Association (NITA):
NITA is a non‐profit society founded in 1989 to promote economic self‐reliance and strengthen Aboriginal participation in the mainstream economy. To carry out this mandate, it has organized approximately 100 national events throughout its history, and promotes partnerships between Aboriginal and non‐Aboriginal business interests.
Contact
Sean Riley
President, NITA
ch@native-invest-trade.com
Calvin Helin,
1300-1030 West Georgia Street
1.604.275.6670
Vancouver, B.C., Canada, V6E 2Y3
1.604.376.4093
sriley@rcicapitalgroup.com
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