It was an honour to be invited by Grand Chief Lynda Prince to a summit of First Nations grand chiefs, chiefs and tribal leaders in Seattle, USA. GC Prince called the event to meet the leaders of the Indigenous Embassy Jerusalem and to celebrate its opening with traditional protocol and ceremony. 

For GC Prince, the opening of the embassy was the culmination of a twenty-five year dream. She, along with some of the attendees went to the Knesset in Israel in 1999 and presented their desire for an embassy. GC Lynda acknowledged Māori leader Monte Ohia, who led the World Christian Indigenous Peoples movement in the 1990s and early 2000s. She explained that he backed her desire to include the Jewish people as indigenous peoples and “took the hits” within the movement from supersessionist and antisemitic elements. GC Prince has endorsed the Māori leadership of the embassy as being fitting.

The Summit included tribal leaders from Metis/Algonquin, Carrier-Sekani, Coast-Selich, Ojibwe, Inuit, Cree, Haida, Apache, Cree Mohawk, Hopi, Cowichan, Lakota and Piaute, along with representatives from South Africa, Hawaii, Tahiti, China, Fiji, Kenya, Taiwain, Mexico and Borneo. We had a wonderful time of celebration with the sound of the drums, music and dance. Read more here and here.

GC Prince was appointed as IEJ Envoy for First Nations North America and one of her first actions was to issue a statement in support of the Vancouver Jewish community who had been subject to an antisemitic attack on one of its synagogues. The IEJ delegation had a fruitful meeting with Jewish leaders in Vancouver and it was an opportunity to express indigenous support for the Jewish community at this difficult time.

Hon Alfred Ngaro and Dr Sheree Trotter, along with their spouses and Māori delegates Tawhiri Littlejohn and Shaquila Buckley, had the opportunity to attend the Sealaska celebration in Juneau, Alaska. It was a great opportunity to connect with the Indigenous peoples of the region.

Some of the delegation then travelled to Toronto and were joined by Grand Chief Harvey Yesno of Nishnawbe Aski Nation, from Northern Ontario, Katherine Skov, EA First Nations of North America, from Garden River, Ontario, Melodie Greyeyes, National Director, CMJ from Edmonton, and Mary Faus, Ojibway tribe from Pennsylvania. Upon landing, some travelled directly from the airport to join a 50,000 strong march in support of Israel. Read National Post’s coverage here.

Productive meetings were held with United Jewish Appeal’s President and CEO, Adam Minsky and VP, Noah Shack and with Allied Voices for Israel’s ED, Daniel Koren and Lea Bloom, Director of Operations. 

In addition, on 10 June an historic meeting of Jewish and Indigenous leadership took place at the Israel Consulate in Toronto, hosted by Consul General Idit Shamir. The meeting proved a rich time of sharing and connecting. The local First Nations leaders, Chief Claire Sault and Grand Chief Larry Sault, of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation opened the meeting with a traditional welcome and former Grand Chief Harvey Yesno co-facilitated. 

We are grateful to Andria Spindel, CEO Canadian Antisemitism Education Foundation for hosting our delegates in Toronto, facilitating meetings and opening her home and heart to us.

We are greatly indebted to the First Nations family, led by Grand Chief Lynda, for hosting us, and we honour her for her vision and passion for Israel and Indigenous Embassy Jerusalem. 

Our trip to North America was an important time of building relationships with the First Nations of America. We look forward to extending our network of indigenous relationships globally, as we stand together in support of Israel.

The rise of antisemitism globally should be of concern to all. We are pleased that IEJ is providing a platform for Indigenous peoples to connect with Jewish communities and stand in solidarity at this difficult time.

We invite you to join us in our mission to raise the visibility of Indigenous support for Israel and the Jewish people, in pushing back against the false narrative that denies the Jewish people their indigenous connection to Israel.

Please consider supporting us in this unique and significant venture by sowing finance into the work, either by a regular or a one-off donation.