(February 26, 2026 – Unceded Algonquin Territory, Ottawa) – Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak issued the following statement on the federal government’s recent updated Travel Advisory urging First Nations people to carry a Canadian passport in addition to a secure status card when crossing the border to the United States.
“The federal government’s updated Travel Advisory is directly counter to the inherent right of First Nations to cross thew border as affirmed in Article III of the 1794 Jay Treaty. This right recognizes that First Nations moved freely through our traditional territories for ceremony, for trade, for harvesting and for family. That right must be recognized and upheld by governments on both sides of the border which was not our making.
We support the position of the Jay Treaty Border Alliance that advising the use of Canadian passports undermines our inherent right and the principle of self-determination. We call on Canada to work with First Nations and particularly the Jay Treaty Border Alliance to resolve border crossing issues with the United States in a manner that respects the nation-to-nation relationship and our inherent and Treaty rights.”
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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]