About the Event 2026 First Nations-First Ministers’ Meeting
A First Ministers’ Meeting (FMM) is a high-level intergovernmental forum that brings together the Prime Minister of Canada and provincial and territorial premiers to discuss issues of national significance. FMMs are typically supported by extensive preparatory work led by senior officials and ministers and are used to set political direction, confirm agreements, and signal shared priorities.
During the 2025 AFN Special Chiefs Assembly, the Prime Minister announced that a joint First Nations-First Ministers’ Meeting (FNFMM) will be held later this year and confirmed that First Nations will set the agenda.
The FNFMM is being advanced at a critical time as First Nations continue to assert their role in shaping national priorities and advancing self-determined approaches across key areas. The 2026 FNFMM will bring together First Nations leadership alongside the Prime Minister and provincial and territorial premiers to establish shared priorities, set direction, and strengthen nation-to-nation relationships grounded in First Nations leadership.
Engagement Sessions
The planning process will be supported by a series of engagements with First Nations leadership and technicians to inform the agenda, drawing on lessons from past processes and identifying priority issues for collective action. These engagements will create space for both leadership-only discussions as well as joint leadership and technical sessions, ensuring that priorities are shaped in a way that reflects First Nations perspectives, expertise, and diverse regional realities.
Several virtual Town Halls will be offered to support broad participation from First Nations across the country. Further details will be shared as planning progresses.
May 19, 2026 – First Nations Leadership
Register NowCurrent Session Dates
March 11, 2026 – First Nations Leadership
April 15, 2026 – First Nations Technicians
May 19, 2026 – First Nations Leadership
The objectives of the virtual Town Hall discussions are to:
- Provide First Nations leadership and technicians with information on the purpose and function of First Ministers’ Meetings, with invited guests sharing key lessons from past processes;
- Identify and refine First Nations’ priority issues for a First Nations–First Ministers’ Meeting (estimated fall 2026), reflecting diverse regional perspectives and priorities;
- Gather guidance and support alignment on structure of the meeting, preparation, and follow through, while creating space for dialogue and the shaping of a collective First Nations agenda.
Who Should Attend?
Sessions will be targeted and can include:
- First Nations leadership
- First Nations technicians
Presentations:
- Economic Development – Neal Kewistep, Senior Director, Economic Development and Infrastructure, AFN
- Community Safety and Policing – Jamie Lavigne, A/Senior Director, Environment, Water & Justice Branch
- Post-Secondary Education – Bram Lerat, Senior Director, Social Branch, AFN
- Health – Cheyenne Joseph, Director of Health, Social Branch, AFN
- Summary (Adam Fiddler)
Agenda Agenda
| Time | Session/Activity | Actions |
|---|---|---|
| 11:30 am | Opening Prayer by Knowledge Keeper Leonard Weasel Traveller |
|
| 11:35 am | Welcoming Remarks from National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak |
|
| 11:40 am | Introduction by facilitator Adam Fiddler including summary of last meeting and process to date |
|
| 11:55 am | Four presentations provided by Assembly of First Nations (AFN) senior personnel on topics with significant challenges related to jurisdiction between the federal and provincial/territorial governments. Questions will be put forward to town hall participants for each subject matter to seek out further direction on the potential scope of the discussions at the First Nations-First Ministers’ Meeting in the Fall. Presentations:
|
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| 12:35 pm | Facilitated Open Discussion with Participants |
|
| 1:30 pm | Closing Prayer by Knowledge Keeper Leonard Weasel Traveller |
Documents Assembly of First Nations 2026 First Nations-First Ministers’ Meeting (FNFMM) Documents
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