(July 15, 2024 – Kjipuktuk (Halifax), Nova Scotia) –Today, the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) participated in the Council of the Federation (COF) Summer Meeting, held from July 15-17, 2024, in Kjipuktuk (Halifax), Nova Scotia, alongside Premiers from provinces and territories and leaders from the National Indigenous Organizations.
“These national dialogues are critical for advancing First Nations priorities and their Inherent, Aboriginal and Treaty rights, title, and jurisdiction,” said AFN National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak. “However, to effectively uphold First Nations rights, we need an approach that ensures federal, provincial, and territorial governments are holding each other accountable and working together in good faith with First Nations. We require a full COF meeting dedicated to Indigenous priorities to address First Nations priorities to achieve meaningful change.”
During the meeting, AFN Newfoundland Regional Chief Brendan Mitchell highlighted the need for culturally safe health systems and support for mental health and addictions for First Nations. He also discussed the importance of full participation at the COF and reiterated the call for a dedicated COF meeting to address Indigenous priorities.
“Since the deaths of Brian Sinclair and Joyce Eshaquan, we continue to hear from families about instances of the severe and even fatal outcomes of bias and negative assumptions made by health care workers,” said AFN Regional Chief Mitchell. “These are not just statistics; these are our families and our children. First Nations urgently need a health care system that is culturally safe. Addressing the mental wellness and opioid crisis is also a top priority. Federal, provincial, and territorial governments must work with First Nations to build on existing frameworks like the First Nations Mental Wellness Continuum and the AFN Opioid Strategy. We must ensure that First Nations receive health care and supports that meet their specific and unique needs.
“We have seen success when there is open dialogue and cooperation between federal, provincial, and territorial governments and First Nations, and where First Nations participation is fully included and incorporated into these national dialogues. Right now, we have an opportunity to change the way we work together, particularly in light of the Supreme Court’s recent decision on An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit, and Métis children, youth, and families. First Nations priorities are Canada’s priorities and addressing them requires genuine effort and support from all levels of government. I will continue to advocate for the full inclusion and participation of First Nations at the Council of the Federation to ensure that First Nations priorities are at the forefront of our advocacy efforts. I look forward to a future First Ministers’ meeting where we can continue this important work,” concluded AFN National Chief Woodhouse Nepinak.
The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) is a national advocacy organization that works to advance the collective aspirations of First Nations individuals and communities across Canada on matters of national or international nature and concern.
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Contact information:
Genna Benson
Director, Communications
Assembly of First Nations
604-340-3117 (mobile)
[email protected]
Jamie Monastyrski
Press Secretary
Office of the National Chief
(613) 612-7229 (mobile)
[email protected]