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 in Halifax, Nova Scotia given the current global COVID-19 pandemic.
- Further updates will be provided as more information on next steps are determined.
Due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, the AFN has made the difficult but necessary decision to cancel the AFN Annual General Assembly that was planned for July 7-9, 2020 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. A motion was passed at a duly convened AFN Executive Committee meeting on April 28, 2020.
The leaders and citizens in the Host Region have put a great deal of effort and hard work into the planning of the AGA and related events. AFN acknowledges those excellent efforts. The travel required and the large gatherings at AFN AGAs – with attendance often exceeding 1,000 people – will place our people at risk, both at the AGA and at home. Delegates travel in from many regions and return to communities across the country. We cannot take the chance of any individuals becoming ill and possibly bringing this virus back home.
AFN continues to advance critical work as directed by resolutions from Chiefs-in-Assembly. Reporting normally provided at the Summer AGA will be available on our website.
A number of other considerations are underway related to the impacts of this decision, and the AFN will provide further updates as next steps are determined. The current plan is to convene the annual AFN Special Chiefs Assembly in December 2020, assuming current restrictions on gatherings and social distancing will be lifted by that time.
We thank First Nations leaders, Elders and Knowledge Keepers, and all First Nations citizens for their understanding. We ask that you stay safe and stay healthy.