Month: December 2019

(Ottawa, ON) – Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Perry Bellegarde says the Government of Quebec’s decision to request that the Quebec Court of Appeal rule on the constitutionality of Bill C-92, the Indigenous child welfare act, is a setback that will further harm First Nations children and families. “Thousands of First Nations children […]

Summary: The Assembly of First Nations held its Special Chiefs Assembly from December 3 – 5, 2019, on unceded Algonquin territory. 48 resolutions were passed and will be posted on the AFN website soon. Key commitments were made by federal ministers in response to First Nations advocacy, including a National Suicide Prevention Plan to be […]

(New York City, New York) — A day after addressing the United Nations General Assembly to call for action to save and strengthen Indigenous languages, Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Perry Bellegarde celebrates today’s move by the United Nations to formally declare an International Decade of Indigenous Languages which will begin in 2022. […]

(New York City, New York): Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Perry Bellegarde addressed the full United Nations (UN) General Assembly today and spoke forcefully about the need to protect, reclaim, and revitalize Indigenous languages. It is exceedingly rare for a First Nations leader to address the UN General Assembly, and this is National […]

Assembly of First Nations National Chief Perry Bellegarde Opening Session High-level Event on the Conclusion of the 2019 International Year of Indigenous Languages United Nations, New York, USA Tawaw kahkiyaw, okimâwak, nâpewak, iskwewak, kêhtêak, oskâyak. Okimaw piyasiw awasis nitisihkason. Miyo kisikaw anoch. Your Excellencies, delegates, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, colleagues, sisters and brothers, I began this […]

December 2019 SUMMARY:  The recent Throne Speech included a number of commitments to First Nations consistent with the AFN’s advocacy document Honouring Promises. It was the first Throne Speech to contain a specific section on “reconciliation.”  The AFN and the National Chief will work with all parties on an ambitious agenda to build a stronger […]

December 12, 2019 (Ottawa, ON): Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Perry Bellegarde issued the following statement today on the announcement by Andrew Scheer, Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada and Member of Parliament for Regina-Qu’Appelle, that he is resigning as leader of the Conservative Party: “I have known Andrew Scheer for many […]

(Ottawa, ON) – Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Perry Bellegarde says today’s Speech from the Throne opening the 43rd Parliament is an opportunity to maintain momentum and progress for First Nations. “Today’s Speech from the Throne mirrors many First Nations priorities and is an important opportunity to maintain momentum and progress,” said AFN […]

(Ottawa, ON) – Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Perry Bellegarde and Ontario Regional Chief RoseAnne Archibald stood today with Grassy Narrows First Nation Chief Rudy Turtle, representatives from the First Nation and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh in support of immediate action for a mercury treatment center for Grassy Narrows First Nation. “I support […]