On August 2, 2017, Michael Woods participated a joint Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAC)/ Centre for International Governance and Innovation (CIGI) Roundtable on the subject of Intellectual Property (IP) rights and upcoming NAFTA re-negotiations.
Participants included representation from First Nations, Government of Canada, and others interested in the upcoming NAFTA negotiations. Jim Balsillie, former co-CEO of Research In Motion (RIM) and the founder of CIGI, launched the session with an informal presentation on the need to foster Canada’s “ Innovation Economy” and the importance for NAFTA negotiators to take this into account when addressing IP aspects. Roundtable members then discussed IP and the recognition and protection of “Traditional Knowledge” and other forms of Indigenous business and cultural expression. Michael spoke in his own capacity as a trade lawyer and former trade negotiator. He also spoke capacity a member of the executive council of the International Inter-tribal Trade and Investment Organization (IITIO) along with fellow members Jim Ransom of the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne and Kyle Delisle of the Mohawks of Kahnawa:ke.
See the link to the roundtable agenda.