Month: May 2020

(Ottawa, ON) – Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Perry Bellegarde says the Prime Minister’s announcement of new funding to fight COVID-19 in First Nations is much needed and welcome. Increased investments in health care and specialized equipment, social assistance for First Nations families on-reserve, and new shelters for women and girls ensures First […]

by AFN National Chief Perry Bellegarde When they heard the first reports of the coronavirus outbreak, leaders in the Pasqua First Nation in western Canada became worried about what would happen if the disease spread to their community. In early January they began to prepare for the worst. Pasqua Chief Todd Peigan recently told me […]

(Ottawa, ON) – Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Perry Bellegarde says the Prime Minister’s announcement yesterday of $75 million in additional funding to support efforts to combat the COVID-19 crisis for urban Indigenous organizations is essential to ensure the safety and security of all First Nations living in urban and rural regions across […]

Indigenous Housing Has Been In Crisis. Things Are Getting Better

COVID-19, First Nations and Poor Housing

(Ottawa, ON) – Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Perry Bellegarde says the federal government’s announcement yesterday of $2.3 million to support efforts to combat the COVID-19 crisis in northwestern Saskatchewan is important to ensure the safety and security of all residents in the region. “These funds are a positive step to help a […]

Fishing is part of First Nations culture and identity. It sustains First Nations peoples and economies and is a constitutionally protected inherent and Treaty right. In the spirit of reconciliation and raising awareness of our shared history and future, the Assembly of First Nations National Fisheries Committee, by direction from Chiefs-in -Assembly, have declared the […]

SUMMARY:  The AFN Executive Committee established the AFN COVID-19 (C-19) National Task Force to support the AFN Executive Committee by drawing on experts in the health, emergency management, communications and legal/policing sectors and other areas as required. The AFN C-19 National Task Force will engage in dialogue with experts, leadership and First Nation citizens to […]

(Ottawa, ON) – Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Perry Bellegarde says the newly established AFN COVID-19 (C-19) National Task Force will be instrumental in helping the AFN Executive Committee and First Nations receive accurate information, analysis and recommendations for action during the COVID-19 pandemic. “The AFN Executive Committee has established the AFN C-19 […]

ASSEMBLY OF FIRST NATIONS BULLETIN April 30, 2020 SUMMARY:  The health and safety of First Nations and all people are the over-riding priority for the AFN National Chief and Executive Committee. The National Chief and AFN Executive Committee have made the decision to cancel the AFN 2020 Annual General Assembly originally scheduled for July 7-9 […]