Summary:
- From December 3-5, 2024, the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) held a Special Chiefs Assembly (SCA) on the traditional unceded territory of the Anishinabe Algonquin Nation, in Ottawa, Ontario.
- Thousands of Chiefs, Proxies, Knowledge Keepers, Elders, youth, women, 2SLGBTQQIA+ individuals, and other First Nations leaders gathered to discuss and advance key priorities.
During the SCA, the First Nations-in-Assembly passed 34 resolutions. Final, signed copies of these resolutions are now available on the AFN website.
Special Chiefs Assembly
The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) held its Special Chiefs Assembly (SCA) from December 3-5, 2024, at the Rogers Centre, located on the traditional unceded territory of the Anishinabe Algonquin Nation, in Ottawa, Ontario. Dialogue sessions were also held on December 2, 2024.
This SCA brought together thousands of Chiefs, Proxies, Knowledge Keepers, Elders, youth, women, 2SLGBTQQIA+ individuals, and other First Nations leaders to engage in meaningful dialogue, vote on resolutions, and advance First Nations priorities.
During the SCA, First Nations-in-Assembly passed 34 resolutions, including:
- AFN Resolution 42/2024, Ensuring Full Implementation and Sustainable Funding for Jordan’s Principle
- AFN Resolution 63/2024, National Inquiry into Systemic Racism in Policing
- AFN Resolution 65/2024, First Nations Economic Reconciliation Framework
- AFN Resolution 68/2024, Prioritization of Collaboration on the Second-Generation Cut-Off Rule
- AFN Resolution 71/2024, Rejecting the Accessible Canada Act and Advancing Distinct First Nations Accessibility Legislation
- AFN Resolution 74/2024, Expanding Non-Insured Health Benefits Coverage to Include Allied Health Services
- AFN Resolution 90/2024, Safeguarding First Nations Children and Holding Canada Accountable for Its Canadian Human Rights Tribunal Legal Obligations
These resolutions are now available on the AFN website.
As a first step in advancing Resolution 63/2024, National Inquiry into Systemic Racism in Policing, and Resolution 38/2024, Safeguarding First Nations Children, National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak has written to the Minister of Public Safety, Dominic LeBlanc, and the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, Arif Virani, urging the initiation of a public inquiry into policing, as outlined in Resolution 63/2024. National Chief Woodhouse Nepinak has also written to Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services Canada, reiterating the need for Canada to secure a new negotiation mandate within 30 days and provide the necessary resources to advance this work, as outlined Resolution 38/2024.
Efforts are also underway to implement other resolutions passed at the SCA. This includes advocating for increased funding and resources to support climate action, address the housing crisis, and improving access and delivery of health services to First Nations, among other priorities identified by First Nations-in-Assembly. Updates on these initiatives will be provided as progress continues.
For media inquiries, contact Genna Benson, Director of Communications, at [email protected].