Month: May 2019

May 30, 2019 (Ottawa, ON) – Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Perry Bellegarde today in Ottawa met with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and United States Vice President Mike Pence, among others, on the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). National Chief Bellegarde participated in the meeting as a member of the CUSMA (formerly NAFTA) Council […]

May 25, 2019 (Ottawa, ON) – Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Perry Bellegarde says economic certainty can only be achieved when First Nations rights, title and jurisdiction are respected and upheld, including the standard of free, prior and informed consent. The National Chief made the comments following the decision by the British Columbia […]

(Ottawa, ON) – Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Perry Bellegarde said today’s Supreme Court of Canada decision inR v. Bartonincludes some positive steps but reinforces the need for fundamental changes to Canada’s legal system to ensure fairness and dignity for Indigenous women and girls, and respect for First Nations approaches to justice. “I […]

May 23, 2019 (Ottawa, ON) – Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Perry Bellegarde is participating today in the exoneration ceremony for Chief Poundmaker and apology by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the National Historic Site at the Poundmaker Cree Nation in Saskatchewan. “Reconciliation requires an honest understanding of our shared history, so we […]

Assembly of First Nations Bulletin First Nations from across Canada gathered in Treaty 6 Territory May 1 and 2, 2019 to discuss the barriers First Nations face in implementing their Treaty rights, inherent rights, title and jurisdiction. The Four Polices and Nation Building Policy Forum was convened by the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) following […]

(Ottawa, ON) – Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Perry Bellegarde will deliver a major speech on First Nations priorities on May 22, 2019 at the Empire Club in Toronto, ON. The speech will focus on current priorities and a new agenda for progress that will strengthen First Nations and Canada, including immediate priorities […]

May 15, 2019 (Ottawa, ON) – Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Perry Bellegarde supports the Algonquin Nation in their work to secure title to lands within Algonquin territory. This includes the future Indigenous Peoples Space – a property at 100 Wellington Street and adjacent properties, across the street from Parliament Hill in Ottawa […]

(Ottawa, ON) – Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Perry Bellegarde appeared before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs today, speaking directly to e urgency of passing federal legislation on First Nations child welfare in this session of Parliament. “Bill C-92 is focused on the safety, security and future […]

(Ottawa, ON) – Following a decision by the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal to uphold the federal Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act, Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Perry Bellegarde says carbon pricing is an important step to address what he calls “climate destruction” and the impacts of climate change. “This is a positive step […]

(Ottawa, ON) – Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Perry Bellegarde welcomes a decision by the federal government to officially involve First Nations in the negotiations currently underway with the United States to modernize the Columbia River Treaty. “The decision to include the Ktunaxa Nation, Secwepemc Nation and Syilx Okanagan Nation in the negotiations […]