About the Event The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) 4th National Climate Gathering
The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) will host its 4th National Climate Gathering (theme to be announced) on October 5-8, 2026, in Hamilton, Ontario.
The event will take place at the Hamilton Convention Centre, a venue that is located on the traditional territories of the Mississauga and Haudenosaunee nations, and within the lands protected by the ‘Dish with One Spoon” wampum agreement.
Who Should Attend?
- First Nations leaders and citizens
- First Nations environmental specialists
- Dedicated academics, Environmental Non-Governmental Organizations (ENGOs) and government officials
Draft Gathering Program:
Monday, October 5, 2026
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. – Youth Gathering
5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. – Gathering Registration Open – Hamilton Convention Centre
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. – Welcome Reception
Tuesday, October 6, 2026
7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Gathering Registration Open
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. – Opening Ceremonies, Plenaries, Panel Presentations and Workshop Sessions
Wednesday, October 7, 2026
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. – Plenaries, Panel Presentations and Workshop Sessions
Thursday, October 8, 2026
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. – Plenaries, Panel Presentations and Workshop Sessions and Closing Ceremonies
How to Attend Find out how to register, how to get there, and where to stay.
Background
In July 2019, First Nations-in-Assembly passed Resolution 05/2019, Declaring a First Nations Climate Emergency, which mandated the AFN to host biennial National Climate Gatherings and develop an AFN National Climate Strategy. AFN has hosted three previous gatherings: the first in 2020 in Whitehorse, Yukon, on the territory of the Ta’an Kwächän and the Kwanlin Dün; the second in 2022 in Fredericton, New Brunswick, on the traditional unceded territory of the Wolastoqiyik, Mi’kmaq, and Peskotomuhkati peoples; and the third in 2024, in Calgary, Alberta, in Moh’kinsstis, the traditional territories of the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Kainai, Piikani), the Tsuut’ina, and the Stoney Nakoda Nations (Bearspaw, Chiniki and Wesley First Nations).
After four years of engagement with First Nations rights and title holders, the AFN National Climate Strategy was formally released on October 18, 2023. The Strategy contains seven priority areas, alongside 108 different strategies and actions. Underpinning the Climate Strategy is the First Nations Climate Lens which contains four concentric circles – Natural Law, Worldviews, Lived Reality, and Context. Together, they bring into focus First Nations climate solutions. For more information on the AFN National Climate Strategy and the First Nations Climate Lens, please visit our website: https://afn.ca/environment/national-climate-strategy/
1st AFN National Climate Gathering (2020): Driving Change, Leading Solutions
AFN 1st National Climate Gathering Video
AFN 1st National Climate Gathering Report
2nd AFN National Climate Gathering (2022): Preserving our Environment, Lands and Water for Future Generations
AFN 2nd National Climate Gathering Video
AFN 2nd National Climate Gathering Youth-led Climate Solutions Video
AFN 2nd National Climate Gathering Report
3rd National Climate Gathering: Catalyzing First Nations Climate and Conservation Leadership for Transformative Change
Building on the success of the previous gatherings, our 2024 program will bring together First Nations experts, leadership, Elders, youth, women, 2SLGBTQQIA+, and other professionals to share knowledge, and to discuss and emphasize solutions First Nations are advancing in the face of rapid change at the local, regional, national, and international stage. These multi-dimensional, interconnected, and interrelated solutions enable the connection between a healthy environment and everything else – our health, well-being, culture, language, water, food security and housing, among other things.
Shifting to the implementation of the AFN National Climate Strategy and Climate Lens, the 2024 Gathering will showcase First Nations stewardship approach to climate action and conservation through a diversity of panel presentations, workshops, video screenings, and other activities (where possible).
4th NATIONAL CLIMATE GATHERING
Building on the success of the three previous gatherings, our 2026 program will bring together First Nations experts, leadership, Elders, youth, women, 2SLGBTQQIA+, and other professionals to share knowledge, and to discuss and emphasize the solutions First Nations are advancing at the local, regional, national, and international stage in the face of rapid change. These multi-dimensional, interconnected, and interrelated solutions enable the connection between a healthy environment and everything else: our health, well-being, culture, language, water, food security, housing, among many others.
The evolution and completion of the AFN National Climate Strategy and First Nations Climate Lens was instrumental in positioning First Nations as climate leaders and active drivers of positive change, and challenging conventional conceptualizations of First Nations as ‘vulnerable’ populations and passive recipients of climate impacts.
Shifting to the implementation of the AFN National Climate Strategy and Climate Lens, the 2026 Gathering will showcase First Nations’ stewardship approaches to climate action and conservation through a diverse range of panel presentations, workshops, video screenings, and other activities.
Registration
Registration (to Follow).
Call for Sessions
Would you be interested in presenting at the 4th National Climate Gathering?
The AFN has issued a Call for Sessions with a deadline of April 3, 2026.
Potential topics include:
- First Nations knowledge systems, health, languages, cultures and spiritualities.
- First Nations jurisdiction and the inherent right to self-determination in conservation and climate action.
- First Nations capacity and governance in climate action and strategies.
- Addressing natural and built infrastructure deficits impacting First Nations.
- Ensuring First Nations’ self-sufficiency in the areas of food, water, and energy.
- First Nations-led prevention, mitigation and emergency response to climate emergencies.
- First Nation re-assertions of jurisdiction, LAND BACK, and other forms of resistance
- First Nation youth climate initiatives, activities, and actions.
If you are interested in being part of our agenda, check for more information:
AFN National Climate Strategy
In July 2023, First Nations-in-Assembly passed Resolution 36/2023, Urgent and Transformative Climate Action through the AFN National Climate Strategy, endorsing the AFN National Climate Strategy and reaffirming the declaration of a First Nations Climate Emergency that was adopted through Resolution 05/2019. Formally released on October 18, 2023, the Strategy contains seven priority areas to advance First Nations Climate Leadership, alongside 108 different strategies and actions.
Underpinning the Climate Strategy is the First Nations Climate Lens which contains four concentric circles – Natural Law, Worldviews, Lived Reality, and Context. Together, they bring into focus First Nations climate solutions. For more information on the AFN National Climate Strategy and the First Nations Climate Lens, please visit our website: https://afn.ca/environment/national-climate-strategy/
