(September 17, 2026 – Treaty 2 Territory, Brandon, Manitoba) – National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak today spoke to key First Nations’ priorities as Parliament prepares to resume on Monday, September 21.
“The world is changing rapidly, and the coming months will bring important decisions for Canada, and for First Nations. Threats from the United States of America to our shared economic well-being and shared sovereignty are not to be understated, and we must do more than simply manage risk.”
“We can be an example to the world of mutual support and respect. Canada and First Nations face a generational opportunity to show what true partnership and the rule of law really means in Nation-to-Nation relationships. Our historic partnership must be renewed and strengthened for mutual benefit. We also must address the gap in well-being between First Nations people and Canadians. As Parliament resumes its work, the Assembly of First Nations will bring forward First Nations priorities to inform and shape national priorities. Our partnership must be built on mutual respect and rights implementation – consistent with Treaty, with the Constitution and with international law.”
Return of Parliament
To move forward in partnership, Parliament’s agenda (as well as the federal budget and Cabinet decision-making) must reflect First Nations’ priorities and respect constitutional, Treaty and international law imperatives.
First Nations will bring forward positions on sustainable economic development, major projects regulation, energy policy, environmental protection, and a range of other matters including:
- Legislation to support First Nations policing services and First Nations inherent jurisdiction
- Legislation recognizing Indian Residential School denialism as a hate crime
- Repeal of the Indian Act’s second-generation cut-off rule and respect of First Nations inherent authority over our own citizenship
- Amendments to the proposed First Nations Clean Water Act
- Amendments to the Cannabis Act to align with First Nations priorities
- Prioritizing First Nations in the federal budget
- Action to honour all outstanding Treaty obligations.
First Ministers Meeting
“In December 2025, Prime Minister Carney agreed to AFN’s request for a First Nations-First Ministers’ Meeting, and the Prime Minister invited First Nations to set the agenda. This historic meeting is scheduled to take place on October 26, 2026, in Ottawa. Further, in response to requests from Chiefs across Canada, Prime Minister Carney has invited First Ministers to participate in a special day of ceremony in Ottawa the day before the First Nations-First Ministers’ Meeting. First Nations leadership will approach this historic gathering with ceremony and a commitment to building constructive relationships as we have always done.”
The AFN is also hosting a national virtual meeting with Chiefs on September 23 to update planning for October 25 and 26. For more information, click here: https://afn.ca/events/first-nations-first-ministers-meeting/
“First Nations are eager to be partners in economic growth, but we will not forfeit our rights, our inherent jurisdiction and title, nor our obligations to our people and the lands and waters,” concluded the National Chief. “This fall, in Parliament and at the First Ministers Meeting, our message will be simple and practical: Our rights are our rights. And this land is our land.”
The National Chief is available for interviews on these topics. To arrange an interview, please contact Cherish Francis, Press Secretary.
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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.
For more information, please contact:
Cherish Francis
Press Secretary
Office of the National Chief
(343) 630-1372 (mobile)
[email protected]