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Assembly of First Nations (AFN) – 3rd Annual Indigenous Laws Gathering: Legal Pluralism: Braiding Distinct Legal Traditions and Sources of Power

Jun 03 - 04, 2025
In-PersonCasino Rama Resort, Rama First Nation, ON
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About the Event The Assembly of First Nations (AFN)
3rd Annual Indigenous Laws Gathering.

The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) will host its 3rd Indigenous Laws Gathering on June 3-4, 2025, at the Casino Rama Resort, on the territory of the Chippewas of Rama First Nation. The Gathering will be held in a hybrid format to enable participants to attend in-person or virtually via Zoom.

For your complimentary registration, please follow the link below.

Register Now

This year’s Gathering is themed, “Legal Pluralism: Braiding Distinct Legal Traditions and Sources of Power,” with a focus on bringing First Nations together to share knowledge and support one another in developing strategies and initiatives to revitalize their laws and legal orders.

The Gathering will bring together the Council of Experts on Indigenous Laws (CEIL), members of the AFN Councils, the AFN Chiefs Committee on Lands, Territories and Resources (CCoLTR), and other interested guests. Participants will engage in facilitated discussions, learn from First Nations Knowledge Keepers and thought leaders, and contribute to ongoing efforts to hold space and elevate Indigenous Laws.

The AFN gratefully acknowledges the Law Foundation of Ontario for its generous financial support of this year’s Gathering.

How to Attend Find out how to register, how to get there, and where to stay.

Registration

For your complimentary registration, please follow the link below.

Register Online

Format and Participation

The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) will host its 3rd Indigenous Laws Gathering on June 3-4, 2025, at the Casino Rama Resort, on the territory of the Chippewas of Rama First Nation. The Gathering will be held in a hybrid format, enabling participants to attend in-person at Casino Rama Resort or virtually via Zoom. The Gathering is open to:

  • Knowledge Keepers and Experts in Indigenous Laws
  • First Nations Specific Claims Technicians
  • First Nations Chiefs and Council Members
  • First Nations Land Experts and Policymakers
  • Government of Canada representatives

Agenda

The agenda for the 3rd Indigenous Laws Gathering is not yet available. Please check back soon for updates.

Venue and Accommodations

The 3rd Indigenous Laws Gathering will take place at:

Casino Rama Resort

5897 Rama Road, Rama, Ontario L3V 6H6

Phone: 705-238-5900

Fax: 705-238-5901

The hotel provides free guest parking. Valet parking is available for a fee.

A group rate has been provided for participants attending the 3rd Indigenous Laws Gathering at Casino Rama Resort. We encourage participants to book early to secure their accommodation.

Transportation

The hotel is approximately a 90-minute drive (133 km) from Toronto Pearson Airport. The AFN is providing complimentary shuttles for registered participants. Pre-booking is required. See the online registration form to book: [link]

Shuttle Schedule

  • Toronto Pearson Airport to Casino Rama Hotel
    • June 2, 1:00 PM
    • June 2, 4:00 PM
    • June 2, 7:00 PM
    • June 2, 9:00 PM
  • Casino Rama Hotel to Toronto Pearson Airport
    • June 4, 6:00 PM
    • June 5, 7:00 AM

Background and Objectives

First Nations’ laws, legal orders, languages, customs, and cultures stem from the land of which our Nations originate and have been an integral part of Nationhood across Turtle Island since time immemorial. Yet, both historical and present-day government policies and laws often overlook and disregard First Nation laws, legal orders, customs, traditions, languages, and cultures.

This lack of recognition has hindered meaningful Nation-to-Nation discussions and reconciliation between First Nations and the Crown. The AFN is dedicated to promoting and ensuring the just and enduring recognition of First Nations legal orders, languages, customs, traditions, and cultures in all their diversity. This commitment extends to policies, processes, and laws that directly impact First Nations.

To guide concrete efforts that respect and give due recognition to Indigenous Peoples’ laws, traditions, customs and land tenure systems, the AFN established a Council of Experts on Indigenous Laws (CEIL) in 2023, to share perspectives on Indigenous laws with a particular focus on their application to the resolution of specific claims.

The AFN hosted its first Indigenous Laws Gathering in June 2023 on unceded Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh territory, in Vancouver, British Columbia, supported by the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs (UBCIC). The first annual Gathering focused on the inclusion of First Nations’ laws, legal orders, and land tenure systems in the resolution of specific claims. The AFN hosted its second annual Gathering in June 2024 in Wendake, Quebec, on the ancestral lands of the Huron-Wendat Nation. The 3rd Indigenous Laws Gathering will be held on June 3-4, 2025.

The objectives of the 3rd Indigenous Laws Gathering include:

  • Through focused presentations and facilitated dialogue, participants will have the opportunity to learn from First Nations Knowledge Keepers and experts and contribute to the growing momentum for the recognition of Indigenous laws across Turtle Island.
  • Throughout the Gathering, participants will have an opportunity to engage in discussion, exchange ideas, formulate new relationships, and share experiences exercising and advancing Indigenous Laws through dispute resolution processes.

Specific Claims Policy Reform

The Law Foundation of Ontario

The Law Foundation of Ontario has been advancing access to justice since 1974. Through granting and collaboration, the Foundation invests in knowledge and services that help people understand the law and use it to improve their lives. The Foundation also administers the Class Proceedings Fund, which provides cost assistance in class actions. Learn more at www.lawfoundation.on.ca

 

Contact Information

For additional information, please contact Jesse Donovan, Acting Director of the AFN Lands Sector, at [email protected].

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