MMF Ambassador Clément Chartier Advocates for Indigenous Rights and Participation at the 2026 OAS General Assembly

July 8, 2026

Ambassador Chartier addresses OAS General Assembly

PANAMA CITY, Panama (June 24, 2026) - Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) Ambassador and President of the American Council of Indigenous Peoples (ACIP), Clement Chartier, played a leading role in advancing Indigenous rights and participation during the 56th Regular Session Ambassador Chartier and Glen Linder, Assistant Deputy Minister for the Americas of the General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS), held in Panama City from June 22-24, 2026.

Representing an Indigenous coalition from across the Americas, Ambassador Chartier delivered a strong intervention during the official Dialogue with Heads of Delegation, calling on OAS Member States to recognize Indigenous Peoples as distinct political entities with their own place within the inter-American system.

"Indigenous Peoples are the original inhabitants of the Americas and as such are distinct from American non-Indigenous societies," Ambassador Chartier told delegates. "Therefore, we must have our own distinct and separate space within the OAS and its various organs, including the Summits of the Americas."

In his address, Ambassador Chartier emphasized that Indigenous Peoples should not be required to participate solely through civil society mechanisms, but instead should be granted their own dedicated space, flexible registration processes, and meaningful opportunities to engage in OAS decision-making forums.

He also called on Member States to support the creation of a dedicated fund that would enable Indigenous Peoples to convene their own summit in preparation for future Summits of the Americas, as well as provide sustainable funding for the Working Group responsible for monitoring implementation of the American Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (ADRIP).

Ambassador Chartier further highlighted the urgent need to protect Indigenous land and rights defenders throughout the hemisphere, specifically raising concerns regarding recent cases in Nicaragua involving Indigenous leaders Brooklyn Rivera and Nancy Elizabeth Henríquez.

High-Level Bilateral Meetings

Throughout the General Assembly, Ambassador Chartier held a number of important bilateral meetings with senior OAS and Canadian officials.

L-r: Ambassador Clément Chartier, Gloria Uribe (Chief of Staff, OAS), and Her Excellency Laura Gil, Assistant Secretary General

During a meeting with OAS Assistant Secretary General Laura Gil, discussions focused on the future participation of Indigenous Peoples within OAS processes. Assistant Secretary General Gil expressed concern that increasing pressure to limit participation to formally accredited civil society organizations could reduce opportunities for Indigenous organizations that do not fit traditional registration models.

She acknowledged Canada's longstanding support for Indigenous participation within the OAS system and reaffirmed her commitment to advocating for meaningful Indigenous inclusion and dedicated spaces for Indigenous voices.

Ambassador Chartier also provided updates on the Indigenous Working Group, the annual Inter-American Week for Indigenous Peoples, and discussions surrounding the future of the Inter-American Plan of Action on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which expires in 2026.