First Nations leaders from across Canada gather in Montreal for AFN’s annual general meeting

This week, representatives from hundreds of First Nations are gathering on Kanien’kehá:ka (Mohawk) territory to discuss priorities.

The Assembly of First Nations (AFN), a national advocacy organization for more than 630 First Nations, kicks off its 45th annual general meeting on Tuesday at the Palais des congrès in Montreal, with the theme “Strengthening Our Relationships.”

“How can we, as the theme asks, strengthen our own relationships? That’s actually what everyone is thinking about,” said Ghislain Picard, regional head of Quebec-Labrador, who sits on AFN’s executive committee.

“I think everyone is really looking for ways to strengthen those ties and turn the page from the RoseAnne Archibald era. And to strengthen or reconstruct that relationship at the First Nations level.”

Last year, the organization was in turmoil with its leadership. Archibald was removed from her role as national chief by leaders in a special virtual meeting last June in response to two external investigations that concluded she had harassed AFN staff.

“Our strength lies in our unity, in the collective wisdom and resolve of our communities,” Cody Diabo, Grand Chief of the Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke, told the assembly in his address Tuesday.

“By working together, we can continue to fight for our rights and jurisdiction, so that our voices are heard and our interests are protected.”

This year’s meeting will feature a comprehensive program of presentations on First Nations policing, specific claims, Charter renewal, the First Nations Clean Water Act, and updates on the status of long-term reform of the First Nations Child and Family Services program and Jordan’s Principle.

On Tuesday, the assembly’s leaders adopted resolutions on issues including deadlocks in national chief elections, quorum and attendance at meetings, financial security for AFN regional offices, support for the organization’s 2SLGBTQ council, and the creation of an Accessibility and Disability Advisory Board.

An emergency resolution was passed agreeing that an audit of AFN’s financial and management policies – a resolution passed in 2022 – is not justified and should not be carried out.

“It is time to close this chapter of the forensic audit and move on,” Dylan Whiteduck, head of Kitigan Zibi, said in the conference room.

Minister speaks out about police

First Nations have long called for the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program, which funds community-based police services, to be recognized as an essential service. National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak said policing is one of her priorities and invited Public Safety Minister Dominic Leblanc to address the meeting to discuss it.

“We recognize and acknowledge that there is still a lot of work to be done,” LeBlanc told the meeting Tuesday, regarding funding and how the program operates.

“We want to work with you to find sustainable and fair solutions to the public safety challenges your communities face.”

Justice Minister Arif Virani also addressed the meeting on Tuesday. Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Gary Anandasangaree, Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh are also expected to address the meeting later this week.

The last time the AFN held a meeting in Montreal was in 2015.

“Having it here in Tiohtià:ke, on our land… gives us an opportunity to be present and hopefully be present and have our voices heard,” said Victor Bonspille, Grand Chief of the Mohawk Council of Kanesatake.

Bonspille said he looks forward to a conversation about First Nations policing and a resolution on cannabis sales and community safety.

The AFN meets twice a year. Woodhouse Nepinak said this year there will be a special meeting focused on child welfare that will take place in Winnipeg from September 17 to 19.

“It’s urgent. I think that’s what we’re hearing,” Woodhouse Nepinak said.

“I think we need to make sure that First Nations are in control now, rather than the provinces. But we need to talk about this as a people, and we’ve never spent as much time on it as we did in September.”

The annual general meeting will last until July 11.