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February 17, 2006 Canadian Jewish Congress, Assembly of First Nations travel to Israel for educational missionTORONTO – In the largest-ever mission to Israel by a North American First Nation group, First Nation leaders from across Canada will learn how their Israeli counterparts preserve their historic languages and culture as part of the first joint Canadian Jewish Congress-Assembly of First Nations (AFN) visit to Israel. During this six-day educational journey co-chaired by CJC National President Ed Morgan and AFN National Chief Phil Fontaine, First Nation Chiefs, women and experts in the fields of business, law and academics will learn about best practices in agriculture, aquaculture and the preservation of minority languages from Israeli experts. “Indigenous people in Canada have much in common with the people of Israel, including a respect of the land and their languages. This mission is an excellent opportunity for us to share our values and our traditional ways of life, in the hope of building greater understanding, awareness and respect for our similarities and differences, both at home and abroad,” said Fontaine. “We share values and similar historical experiences with our First Nations friends,” said Morgan. “This trip presents an exceptional challenge and opportunity to learn about what each of our communities holds most dear – our culture and our history.” While in Israel, the group will visit numerous sites of cultural, religious and historical significance, including the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial in Jerusalem. They will meet with Canada’s ambassador to Israel, Donald Sinclair, and will have the opportunity to explore kibbutz, or collective farm, life. The mission arrived in Israel this morning and returns Wednesday, February 22. CJC CEO Bernie M. Farber will provide professional support for the trip. The Assembly of First Nations is the national organization representing First Nations citizens in Canada. Canadian Jewish Congress represents the Jewish communities of Canada.
Contact: Bernie M. Farber, CJC CEO Wendy Lampert, CJC National Director of Communications Ian McLeod, AFN Bilingual Communications Officer Nancy Pine, Communications Advisor, Office of the National Chief Backgrounder:
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