PRESS CONFERENCE
Whose Salmon? Ainu Nation Lawsuit and International Indigenous Maritime Rights

Masaki Sashima, President, Raporo Ainu Nation (Japan)
Aslak Holmberg, President of the Saami Council (Finland)
Russ Jones, Hereditary chief of the Haida Nation (Canada)

May 29, Monday, 13:00-14:00 (Press Conference)
(The speech and Q & A will be in English and Japanese with English interpretation)

Since 2020, the Raporo Ainu Nation in Urahoro, Hokkaido has been locked in a legal struggle with the Japanese government over its traditional salmon fishing rights. The lawsuit, which seeks to allow them to harvest salmon under the indigenous rights of the Ainu, is the first of its kind in Japan, and has growing support from indigenous peoples abroad. Please join us as representatives from the Raporo Ainu Nation, the Haida Nation in Canada, and the Saami Council in Finland explain the lawsuit and discuss the challenges to indigenous peoples worldwide who are fighting for their traditional rights.

Masaki Sashima, President of the Raporo Ainu Nation, has worked to raise awareness in Japan and abroad of the Raporo Ainu and their traditional salmon fishing culture. Nang Jingwas Russ Jones is a hereditary chief of the Haida Nation, an experienced fisheries and marine planning expert, and a commissioner on the Pacific Salmon Commission. Aslak Holmberg is president of the Saami Council, and a fisherman and teacher who works on securing Saami and indigenous rights. 

How to attend: 
Please register at front@fccj.or.jp with your name, the name of your media outlet, and FCCJ membership number. Due to space restrictions attendance will be limited. Doors open 15 minutes before the event. Please sign in, giving your name and contact details at the reception, and have your temperature taken before proceeding. 

How to watch online: https://www.youtube.com/c/FCCJchannel/live 
Livestreaming of the press events will be available and video of this event will be uploaded to our FCCJ YouTube channel. 

How to ask questions:  https://forms.gle/NVQdCqm2uyxYn4GK9    
Members watching the event online can submit questions for the speakers in advance using this submission form.

TV crew: Please make a reservation at front@fccj.or.jp. Doors open for TV crews only at 30 minutes before the event. 

Professional Activities Committee