Registration

Where does your registration fee go?

Chiefs from across the country generally come together twice a year to set strategic direction based on community needs and priorities. The Chiefs Assemblies provide the venue for First Nation leaders to direct the work of the Assembly of First Nations, the National Chief and National Executive through resolution. It is just one way First Nation leaders bring forward the concerns and priorities of First Nation members. 

Registration fees help to offset the direct costs of organizing Chiefs Assemblies, including facility rentals, audio/visual equipment, interpretation services, webcasting, registration services, facilitators, translation, signage, Elder honorarium, and drum groups.

Registration Process

Photo identification will be requested at registration for Chiefs and Proxies. All participants and groups are encouraged to pre-register and pre-pay, even if your registration is complimentary. There will be separate line-ups at the event for those who pre-register and pre-pay in advance of the Assembly.

• Register ONLINE at afn.ca. You will receive a confirmation email. VISA, MasterCard and American Express accepted.
• Complete the registration form included in this notice and FAX it to Tash Cote at 613-241-5808 or by email to [email protected].

Registration forms and payment must be received before entry into the Assembly.  You may also register on-site with your payment. Please note that registration fees are non-refundable after November 24, 2023. An administration fee of $50 will apply for all cancellations prior to November 24, 2023.

Onsite pre-registration will be held on Monday, December 4, 2023, from 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Shaw Centre, Level 3 in the Parliament Foyer. For planning purposes and to avoid line-ups, all delegates are encouraged to pick up badges on December 4, 2023. 

Register Now

Proxy Letter

Hotel Accommodations

The AFN has reserved blocks of hotel guestrooms at the Westin Ottawa Hotel, Fairmont Chateau Laurier, Le Germain, and the Delta Ottawa.

For all hotel reservations, please indicate that you are with the Assembly of First Nations for the Special Chiefs Assembly and provide the conference code indicated for each hotel. Delegates are encouraged to make hotel reservations by the noted date to ensure accommodation is available at the listed prices. All expenses with respect to attending the AFN SCA, including guestroom arrangements, are the responsibility of the guest/group to cover and clear upon departure.

1.  WESTIN OTTAWA

11 Colonel By Dr, Ottawa, ON K1N 9H4
(613) 560-7000
Room Rate: $289 for Traditional, $349 for Deluxe, $499+ for Suite
Website:  https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/yowwi-the-westin-ottawa/overview/  
Booking Link:  Book your group rate for AFN Special Chiefs Assembly MYP1of3
Deadline to Book:  November 2, 2023 (regular rates apply after this date)

2.  FAIRMONT CHATEAU LAURIER

1 Rideau St, Ottawa, ON K1N 8S7
(613) 241-1414
Room Rate: $299 for Regular Room, $399 for Fairmont Gold
Website:  https://www.chateaulaurier.com/
Booking Link:  https://book.passkey.com/go/AFN2023
Deadline to Book: November 6, 2023 (regular rates apply after this date)

3. LE GERMAIN HOTEL

30 Daly Ave, Ottawa, ON K1N 6E2
(613) 691-3230
Room Rate: $249
Website:  https://www.germainhotels.com/en/le-germain-hotel
Booking Link: AFN Special Chiefs Assembly 2023
Deadline to Book:  November 3, 2023 (regular rates apply after this date)

4. DELTA OTTAWA

101 Lyon St. N, Ottawa, ON K1R 5T9
(613) 237-3600
Room Rate: $289
Website: https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/yowdm-delta-hotels-ottawa-city-centre/overview
Booking Link: Book your group rate for AFN Special Chiefs Assembly Dec2023
Deadline to Book:  October 18, 2023 (regular rates apply after this date)

Travel

AIR CANADA

Air Canada is pleased to offer a discount code. To book a flight with your promotion code access aircanada.com and enter your promotion code in the search panel. Air Canada Code: MNCPVAF1

Applicable Rules:

• The booking is to be made to the following city: Ottawa, YOW (CA)
• The travel period begins Monday, November 27, 2023, and ends Thursday, December 14, 2023.
• Travel is valid Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday.
• For North America, 5% discount applies on standard fares, 10% on flex fares and higher. For International Travel, 10% discount applies on standard fares and higher.

INDIGENO TRAVEL

If you do not have a preferred travel agent and require assistance making your travel arrangements to the AFN SCA, please contact Indigeno Travel at:

Indigeno Travel

Toll-Free Number: 1-888-202-8262. 

Travel requests should be submitted through this form.  This form goes directly to a Travel Agent.

VIA Rail Discount

Code:  14502

• Please note that the above-mentioned conference discount code CANNOT be combined with any other discount codes available.
• From all stations throughout the VIA system to Ottawa ON and return.
• Discount does not apply in any Escape fares and Prestige Class

WESTJET

On behalf of our team, we would like to thank you for choosing WestJet for your travel plans. We are happy to confirm that for the upcoming event, Special Chiefs Assembly, we are able to offer 5% off Econo* and 10% off EconoFlex and Premium fares for travel within Canada and 2% off Econo*, 5% off EconoFlex and 10% off Premium base fares for guests travelling Trans-border. No discount will apply to Basic or Business class bookings.

To take advantage of this offer, you will need the discount code listed. Please visit www.westjet.com/conventions to make a booking online.

Applicable Rules

• The booking is to be made to the following city: Ottawa
• The travel period begins: 11/28/2023
• The travel period ends: 12/14/2023

Resolutions

• Call for Resolution 1st Notice
• Call for Resolutions 2nd Notice
• Call for Resolutions 3rd Notice
• SCA Resolutions Template
• Draft Resolutions Package
• Resolutions Update

Resolutions for consideration at the Special Chiefs Assembly must be submitted to AFN by October 27, 2023. For more information on the resolutions process, please contact [email protected].

Resources

• Registration Package
• Call for Resolutions
• Call for Resolutions 2nd Notice
• Call for Resolutions 3rd and Final Notice
• SCA Resolutions Template
• AFN Bulletin – 2023 Election of the National Chief
• AGA 2023 – Conference Booklet
• Notice to FNs – Nomination Process Opening
• OTC – Flash your badge 2023
• Draft Agenda
• Introducing Simply Voting
• SCA and Elections Timeline
• Draft Resolutions Package
• National First Nations Homelessness Action Plan
• 2023 Conference Booklet
• Update on Panel 13 Report Recommendations
• 2023 SCA Executive Report
• December 2023 SCA Final Resolutions

Dialogue Sessions

• Dialogue Sessions – Agenda
• Cannabis Act Legislative Review
• First Nations Early Learning and Child Care Funding Allocation Model
• Conservation, Climate Action, and Environmental Health
• Wholistic Long-term and Continuing Care Framework and Distinctions-Based Indigenous Health Legislation
• National First Nations Homelessness Action Plan
• Continuing Income Assistance Program Reform Through Implementation
• First Nations Child and Family Services and Jordan’s Principle Long-Term Reform
• Indigenous Justice Strategy
• Specific Claims and Additions-to-Reserve Policy Reform
• Policing

Presentations

• Additions to Reserve: Reform Updates
• Cannabis Act Legislative Review Dialogue Session and Technical Update 
• Dialogue Session: Technical Update on First Nations Early Learning and Child Care Funding Allocation Model
• Conservation, Climate Action and Environmental Health
• Distinctions-Based Indigenous Health Legislation 
• National First Nations Homelessness Action Plan
• Income Assistance Program Reform From Surviving to Thriving
• First Nations-Created Policy Recommendations for a Wholistic Long-term and Continuing Care Framework
• Dialogue Session Technical Update on First Nations Child and Family Services and Jordan’s Principle Long-Term Reform
• Update on the AFN-Canada Specific Claims Co-Development Process 

Issue Updates

• 2023 Issue Updates – Report
• 2023 Issues Update – International Decade of Indigenous Languages
• 2023 Issues Update – Homelessness
• 2023 Issues Update – Income Assistance
• 2023 Issues Update – Housing
• 2023 Issues Update – Fisheries
• 2023 Issues Update – Health
• 2023 Issues Update – Environment
• 2023 Issues Update – First Nations Languages Funding Model
• 2023 Issues Update – Education Infrastructure
• 2023 Issues Update – Emergency Management
• 2023 Issues Update – Bill C-53, Recognition of Certain Métis Governments in Alberta, Ontario and Saskatchewan and Métis Self-Government Act
• 2023 Issues Update – Bill-38 and Citizenship
• 2023 Issues Update – Clean Drinking Water
• 2023 Issues Update – Economic Development
• 2023 Issues Update -Early Learning & Child Care
• 2023 Issues Update – Bill C-21 Firearms
• 2023 Issues Update – Specific Claims Co-Development Process
• 2023 Issues Update – United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act
• 2023 Issues Update – Water Stewardship
• 2023 Issues Update – New Fiscal Relationship
• 2023 Issues Update – Residential Schools and Unmarked Graves
• 2023 Issues Update – Parliamentary Monitoring
• 2023 Issues Update – MMIWG2S+ and 2SLGBTQQIA+
• 2023 Issues Update – National Youth Council
• 2023 Issues Update – Jordan’s Principle

AFN Circle of Trade Show

The AFN Circle of Trade Show will take place from December 5-7, 2023. The trade show is an excellent opportunity for networking among First Nations, organizations, businesses, and government. To register or obtain more information about the AFN Circle of Trade Show, please contact [email protected].

Winter Gala

Visit the 2023 Winter Gala Page

Sponsors

If you are interested in being a sponsor for one of our events during the SCA, please contact Joyce McDougall at [email protected].

SCA Contact

For more information, please visit the AFN website at www.afn.ca or contact:

SCA Coordination

Joyce McDougall                                                                   
E-mail: [email protected]

On behalf of the Assembly of First Nations, we look forward to seeing you in Ottawa!