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Summary:
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Background
In the summer of 2025, National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak met with the Council of the Federation (COF), a yearly meeting of the Premiers of the provinces and the territories. Through strong advocacy, National Chief Woodhouse Nepinak secured a commitment from the Premiers to request that the Prime Minister hold a First Nations-First Ministers’ Meeting (FNFMM) to discuss issues of national significance. A dedicated First Ministers Meeting on First Nations issues with First Nations at the table had never happened in the history of the country.
During the 2025 AFN Special Chiefs Assembly, the Prime Minister announced that an FNFMM would be convened in 2026 and confirmed that First Nations would set the agenda, with the process intended to support dialogue and establish shared priorities between First Nations and First Ministers – the Prime Minister and provincial and territorial Premiers.
The FNFMM took place on October 26, 2026, on unceded Algonquin territory. It was preceded by a Day of Ceremony on October 25, 2026.
Proceedings
The AFN Delegation at the FNFMM included the National Chief, Regional Chiefs, Grand Chiefs, Chiefs, Elders, and a youth delegate. Chiefs, Elders and Knowledge Keepers from across the country attended onsite as observers.
The First Ministers Delegation included the Prime Minister as well as Premiers from Yukon, Northwest Territories, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland & Labrador.
View the National Chief’s opening remarks here. The entire opening proceedings can be viewed online via CPAC.
Commitments and Outcomes
Funding analysis
At the conclusion of Monday’s meeting, the Prime Minister announced a series of new measures. The AFN has prepared a preliminary analysis of these commitments.
- Development of new revenue-sharing mechanisms, including the potential creation of a new First Nations Sovereign Wealth Fund
The AFN welcomes the direction Prime Minister Carney gave to the federal Finance Minister to work with First Nations to explore development of new revenue-sharing mechanisms, including the possible creation of a First Nations Sovereign Wealth Fund. If designed and implemented correctly, such a mechanism could offset underfunded, unpredictable government programs by providing First Nations essential services and infrastructure to their communities. New revenue sharing mechanisms require a new National Benefit Sharing Framework, and the AFN will continue to advocate for this foundational work. The AFN will hold a plenary session during the December Special Chiefs Assembly (SCA) to present information and hear input from Chiefs. The SCA will be held December 8-10 in Unceded Algonquin Territory in Ottawa. Registration and information are available online.
- $2.5 billion in funding over five years, and nearly $450 million in ongoing funding to better equip First Nations communities to conduct evacuations, provide emergency assistance, and rebuild homes and critical infrastructure
The AFN welcomes the new investments in emergency management. However, to advance self-determination and respect for First Nations rights and jurisdiction, funding should flow directly to First Nations rather than through the Indigenous Services Canada Emergency Assistance Program. First Nations have continually requested larger investments in preparedness and mitigation to avoid the catastrophic consequences of climate emergencies, including evacuations. Additionally, First Nations call on Canada to remove barriers preventing access to economic opportunities arising out of wildfire and emergency management, including support for efforts to mobilize First Nations firefighters across the country. Funding is required to advance these efforts.
- $630 million over four years, alongside $250 million in ongoing annual funding, to renew and expand First Nations Policing Program agreements
The AFN welcomes this commitment as a positive step toward more stable and predictable funding for First Nations policing services. However, additional details are needed to determine whether these investments will adequately address longstanding funding inequities, infrastructure needs, capacity pressures, and whether it advances the recognition of First Nations policing as an essential service supported through sustainable, distinctions-based funding.
- $140 million over four years to fund crime prevention and culturally sensitive community safety initiatives in Indigenous communities across the country
The AFN welcomes investments that support prevention, community wellbeing, and culturally grounded approaches to safety. Further details are required to determine funding allocation, First Nations participation in program design and delivery, and how these initiatives will support community-driven efforts to address the root causes of crime, victimization, and overrepresentation in the justice system.
- $260 million over four years to establish the new Partnerships for Indigenous Workforce Readiness Fund
The AFN welcomes the new initiatives such as the Indigenous Workforce Readiness Fund and Indigenous funding through the Team Canada Strong initiative; however, funding streams must be distinction-based, with First Nations receiving their proportionate share. While new funding is welcome, several funding mechanisms that support workforce development remain underfunded, such as Post-Secondary Partnerships Program and Post-Secondary Student Support Program, or the Adult Education program (which is set to expire). Strengthening and sustaining these existing programs should be a priority.
Additional analysis
The Prime Minister’s statement gives limited attention to health. A key ask in the AFN position paper was a commitment to permanent First Nations participation in relevant federal, provincial, and territorial health ministers’ tables and senior officials’ processes. While the National Chief’s October 27 public statement indicated that governments agreed to convene future First Nations-First Ministers’ meetings and open federal-provincial-territorial tables to First Nations participation, the Prime Minister’s statement does not explicitly confirm that these commitments extend to health ministers’ tables or related health policy and decision-making processes.
The AFN welcomes the announced investments that support community wellbeing and continue to call for a clear commitment to First Nations health governance. Investments in emergency preparedness and community safety acknowledge that health outcomes are closely tied to the broader determinants of health, including safe communities, adequate housing, critical infrastructure, and social wellbeing.
The Prime Minister’s statement also references approximately $6 billion in ongoing federal spending on mental health and primary care. However, this is not a new commitment arising from the meeting. Rather, it reiterates existing expenditures without demonstrating that current funding levels are sufficient to meet First Nations needs, close persistent service gaps, or achieve equitable health outcomes. As such, the statement stops short of committing new investments or concrete measures to advance First Nations health services, health workforce capacity, mental wellness, health infrastructure, or self-determined First Nations health systems.
Indian Act
During the Monday meeting, Manitoba’s Premier tabled a proposal to examine ways to move beyond the Indian Act, which the Prime Minister accepted. This was not a proposal discussed in advance with the AFN or National Chief and was not intended to be a matter of discussion at the FNFMM. The National Chief stated following the FNFMM that any response to this will be at the direction of First Nations. AFN will follow the direction of First Nations-in-Assembly according to Resolutions passed regarding pursuing amendments or changes to the Indian Act.
Next Steps
The AFN is working to prepare a fulsome summary report of the FNFMM to be available by or before the Special Chiefs Assembly taking place December 8-10, 2026. The report will be shared by email and posted on the AFN website. Please check www.afn.ca for updates.