News Stories The latest news from the Assembly of First Nations.
AFN National Chief Bellegarde welcomes Canada’s consent to certification of national class action involving First Nations child and family services, and agreement to proceed to mediation
(Ottawa, ON) – National Chief Perry Bellegarde of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) welcomes Canada’s agreement to the certification of a national class action involving underfunding of First Nations children and families in child welfare, including Jordan’s Principle persons.…
AFN National Chief Bellegarde happy to see Canada designate residential schools as National Historic Sites so that their tragic legacy is properly recognized and remembered
(Ottawa, ON) – National Chief Perry Bellegarde of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) is encouraged by today’s designation of the Long Plain and Shubenacadie Residential Schools as National Historical Sites. This ensures the tragic history of residential schools and…
AFN National Chief Bellegarde welcomes funding to support First Nations mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic
(Ottawa, ON) – National Chief Perry Bellegarde of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) is pleased that the federal government is stepping up to provide $82.5 million dollars to support Indigenous mental health programs, with $55 million specifically earmarked for…
AFN National Chief Welcomes Canada’s continued investments to support First Nations as they continue to face impacts from COVID-19
(Ottawa, ON) –National Chief Perry Bellegarde of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) welcomes the support of the federal government which announced today that it will invest an additional $305 million to assist First Nations in addressing the current impacts…
BULLETIN FROM THE NATIONAL CHIEF – Regarding the Protocol on the Indigenous Child and Family Services Act
SUMMARY: On July 7, 2020, National Chief Bellegarde signed a Protocol with Minister of Indigenous Services Marc Miller, which confirms a First Nations distinctions-based approach to implementing An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families. The…
AFN National Chief Bellegarde happy to see Robinson-Huron Treaty annuities case move one step closer to providing justice for First Nations
(Ottawa, ON) – National Chief Perry Bellegarde of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) said he is pleased that the Robinson-Huron Treaty annuities case was successful in its second phase of legal challenges and will now move on to determining…
Let’s just admit it: Canada has a racism problem
As a Cree man, the outrage that has followed the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis resonates with my experience and my people’s demands for justice. Canadians cannot ignore the dangerous parallels that exist in how Canadian police officers…
AFN National Chief Perry Bellegarde Calls for an Independent Review of the Police Shooting of Chantel Moore
(Ottawa, ON) –National Chief Perry Bellegarde of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) today demanded a full investigation into Thursday’s police-involved shooting of a young First Nations mother in Edmundston, N.B. News reports said Chantel Moore was in distress when…
AFN National Chief Bellegarde welcomes new funding to support First Nations economic development and tourism
(Ottawa, ON) – National Chief Perry Bellegarde of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) said he welcomes the newly announced funding to help First Nations’ economic development initiatives and tourism industry get through the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, Indigenous Services Minister…
One year after the National Inquiry’s final report on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, National Chief Bellegarde maintains immediate action can be taken
(Ottawa, ON) – One year after the release of the National Inquiry’s final report on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG), Canada’s governments must remain focused on ending violence against First Nations women, girls and LGBTQ2S. National Chief…
