Pam Palmater to deliver keynote speech today at People’s Forum

The associate professor and chairwoman in Indigenous governance at Ryerson University will be the keynote speaker at the People’s Forum on Just Trade and Development today in Charlottetown.

The forum will be held at the P.E.I. Farm Centre, 420 University Ave., 1:30-4:30 p.m.

Pam Palmater is a citizen of the Mi’kmaq Nation and member of Eel River First Nation, N.B. She was also one of the spokespersons, educators and organizers for Idle No More. Palmater, who specializes in laws that impact First Nations, has a 25-year history of activism on social, political and legal issues. She will speak about the impact of international trade agreements on Indigenous peoples.

Also speaking will be Gavin Fridell, associate professor of international development studies at Saint Mary’s University and a Canada Research chair. Fridell’s specialty is examining the political economy of fair trade, free trade, global trade governance and how trade issues play out among social movements and states.

There is no admission fee, and everyone is welcome.

For more information, find the event on the Trade Justice P.E.I. Facebook page or call Wheatley at 902-894-4573.

“This event is an excellent opportunity to hear Dr. Pam Palmater speak on the importance of understanding how trade deals affect Indigenous groups,” said Eric Anderson of the Mawi’omi Centre at UPEI, one of the groups hosting the forum.

“Dr. Palmater is a great role model, not only for Indigenous people and women but for all who want to help improve the lives of others the way she has with her work.”

Ann Wheatley, a member of Trade Justice P.E.I., and one of the organizers of the forum, said usually the discussion in the media about trade agreements is about tariffs, and market access.

“The broader implications are not often talked about,’’ Wheatley said.