Summary:
- From July 14-16, 2026, the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) held its 47th Annual General Assembly (AGA) on the traditional unceded territory of the Anishinabe Algonquin Nation, in Ottawa, Ontario.
- The 2026 AFN Annual General Assembly welcomed over 2,500 registered participants, with more than 400 Chiefs and Proxies. First Nations-in-Assembly passed 38 out of 58 Resolutions at this Assembly, including 4 Emergency Resolutions.
- The establishment of the Annual AFN Water Walk reflects the teachings and responsibilities carried by First Nations to honour, protect, and care for water.
The Event
The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) 47th Annual General Assembly (AGA) was held July 14-16, 2026, at the Rogers Centre in Ottawa, located on Algonquin Territory, the unceded unsurrendered Anishinabe territory of the Algonquin Anishinabe Peoples.
First Nations from across the country gathered under the theme “Upholding Rights, Empowering Nations” to deliberate on priorities and set mandates on key issues. The AGA brought together 359 Chiefs and Proxies, and a total of more than 2,500 registered participants, including Knowledge Keepers, Elders, youth, women, Veterans, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ individuals and First Nations leaders.
Topics and Resolutions
During the AGA, 38 National resolutions were passed providing strategic direction on a range of issues, including catastrophic wildfires, Indian Residential Schools denialism as a hate crime, the federal government’s proposed reforms to major project approvals, Canada’s proposed First Nations Clean Drinking Water legislation, and more. These deliberations and decisions are critical as First Nations approach the first-ever First Nations-First Ministers’ Meeting.
In her opening address, National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak announced that the First Nations-First Ministers’ Meeting will be held in Ottawa, Ontario on October 26 of this year.
Among the significant discussions during this year’s Assembly was the growing impact of catastrophic wildfires affecting First Nations across Canada. Chiefs adopted an emergency resolution calling for immediate and long-term federal action to improve emergency preparedness, response capacity, evacuation supports, climate adaptation, and investments in resilient community infrastructure. A Blanket Dance was held to raise funds to support Namaygoosisagagun First Nation, which had to urgently evacuate on short notice with no support from government authorities. A fundraising drive was also established.
Chiefs discussed the federal government’s proposed reforms to major project approvals and the overall push on major projects, emphasizing that economic development cannot come at the expense of First Nations rights. First Nations-in-Assembly reaffirmed that free, prior and informed consent, meaningful partnership, and respect for First Nations jurisdiction remain essential to any legislative or regulatory changes affecting First Nations lands, territories, and resources.
These firm principles informed a resolution on the upcoming First Nations-First Ministers’ Meeting (FNFMM), calling on AFN to ensure, among other aspects, that discussions at the meeting are grounded in affirmation and recognition of First Nations Treaty, inherent, and s.35 rights and jurisdiction, and that the AFN work towards an agreement with all parties on a process for ongoing FNFMMs to maintain progress and dialogue.
On Day 1, a resolution on Upholding Truth and Criminalizing Indian Residential School Denialism was passed by consensus. The resolution calls for residential schools denialism to be legislated as a hate crime. The resolution was brought forward by First Nations leadership in Manitoba and, at their direction, a press conference was held that day to bring attention to the resolution and the issue.
The importance of truth-telling was reflected in a resolution recognizing the history of the Innu of Labrador. The resolution denounced the Newfoundland and Labrador government’s reliance on a “discredited and unscientific” theory that Innu arrived in the province just 300 years ago.
The Assembly deliberated Canada’s proposed First Nations Clean Drinking Water legislation, recognizing progress toward affirming the human right to drinking water and First Nations jurisdiction over drinking water while emphasizing that legislation must be fully supported by sustainable, long-term funding to close the infrastructure gap, protect source waters, and ensure every First Nations citizen has access to safe, reliable drinking water.
There were discussions regarding the issue of provincial separation. First Nations-in-Assembly passed a resolution affirming that no province has the legal authority to alter, diminish, or extinguish treaty rights or the constitutional relationship between First Nations and the Crown, and that First Nations cannot be excluded from decisions that may fundamentally alter the constitutional framework within which Treaties are recognized and implemented.
AFN – Iroquois Protocol Agreement
During the Assembly, the AFN and representatives from the Iroquois Caucus held a signing ceremony to renew their Protocol Agreement. The renewed Agreement will strengthen ongoing cooperation, communication and collaborative strategies on issues of mutual concern while fully respecting the perspectives, priorities and autonomy of the Iroquois Caucus.
National Chief Welcomed Guests
In her remarks, AFN National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak emphasized that First Nations are moving forward in unity and strength, calling on governments to work with First Nations as rights holders, honour Treaty obligations, uphold the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and Free, Prior and Informed Consent.
National Chief welcomed a number of guests to speak to First Nations in Assembly, to hear from First Nations and take questions. Federal representatives included Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull-Masty, U.S. Trade Minister Dominic Leblanc, Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs Rebecca Chartrand, Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Crown Indigenous Services Rebecca Alty, Secretary of State for Rural Development Buckley Belanger, and Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson.
AFN Annual Water Walk
The Assembly featured the inaugural AFN Annual Water Walk, bringing together First Nations leaders, Elders and Knowledge Keepers, women, men, youth, Two Spirit and gender-diverse relatives, and supporters. All joined in ceremony to honour water and renew the sacred responsibilities First Nations have carried since time immemorial. The Annual AFN Water Walk reflects the teachings and responsibilities carried by First Nations to honour, protect, and care for water. Participants offered prayers for the waters, for the people, and for future generations, setting the tone for the week ahead.
Closing
As the 2026 Annual General Assembly concludes, the AFN will continue advancing the mandates provided by First Nations-in-Assembly through ongoing advocacy with all orders of government and in collaboration with First Nations across Canada.
Resolutions passed at the Assembly are being finalized and translated. First Nations will receive notice when they are publicly posted and available. The AFN 2025 – 2026 Annual Report is available here: https://afn.bynder.com/asset/c9c36eea-035f-4adb-b6b8-53d3a1cc92f4/2025-2026-Annual-Report.pdf
For more information about the AFN AGA, please visit https://afn.ca/events/annual-general-assembly-2026/.