The inaugural International Indigenous Summit on Energy and Mining will take place June 26 to 29 in Niagara Falls.

Jointly hosted by the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) and the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), the summit is expected to attract more than 500 Indigenous peoples and leaders, as well as representatives from government and industry, “in the spirit of relationship building and partnership opportunities in energy and mining development,” according to a press release.

The conference will examine topics surrounding the breadth of resource development activity expected to occur in or near First Nations territories across Canada. Presentations and panel discussions will take place on key subjects such as international partnerships and trade opportunities; sustainable and responsible resource development; consultation, accommodation and trade opportunities; sustainable and responsible resource development; consultation and accommodation; free prior and informed consent; green energy; education and labour force development; and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Summit highlights include presentations from Dr. Georg Witschel, ambassador for the Federal Republic of Germany; Xu Bu, charge d'affaires for the embassy of the Peoples Republic of China; Margo Gray-Proctor from the National Centre for American Indian Enterprise Development; Dr. Ernesto Sirolli from the Sirolli Institute; and Anthony Hodge, president of the International Council on Mining and Metals.

AFN National Chief Shawn Atleo and NCAI president Jefferson Keel will act as honorary summit co-chairs