(Ottawa, ON) – Hundreds of First Nations Chiefs, leaders, Elders and youth are set to gather July 23-25, 2019 for the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Annual General Assembly (AGA) taking place at the Fredericton Convention Center on unceded Wəlastəkewiyik (Maliseet) territory in Fredericton, New Brunswick. Chiefs and delegates will gather under the theme “Celebrating our Successes and Giving Thanks” to assess progress, set priorities and strategic direction for the coming year.
AFN National Chief Perry Bellegarde will deliver his Opening Address on the first day, July 23, at approximately 9:30 a.m. St. Mary’s First Nation Chief Alan Polchies and AFN Regional Chief Roger Augustine will also address the Assembly on opening day, as well as New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs, the provincial Minister of Indigenous Relations, Jake Stewart, the Mayor of Fredericton, Michael O’Brien, and the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Carolyn Bennett.
The AGA will feature discussion and decision-making on key priorities for First Nations. The AGA will include honouring ceremonies for Autumn Peltier, the former Chair of the AFN Women’s Council Denise Stonefish, First Nations veteran Phillip Favel and others.
Delegates will hear from federal representatives including Green Party leader Elizabeth May, NDP representative MP Guy Caron, Minister of Indigenous Services Seamus O’Regan and the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism, Gary Anandasangaree.
The provisional agenda and updates are available on the AFN website at https://www.afn.ca/2019-annual-general-assembly/.
The AGA will be webcast on the AFN website at https://livestream.com/afn/2019aga.
Media accreditation is required and media are encouraged to register in advance through the contacts listed below.
The Assembly of First Nations is the national organization representing First Nation citizens in Canada. Follow the #AFNSCA on Twitter @AFN_Updates.
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Contact information:
Monica Poirier
Bilingual Communications Officer
613-292-0857 (Cell)
[email protected]
Jenna Young Castro
Senior Communications Advisor
613-314-8157 (cell)
[email protected]