Topic: Today’s News

(Ottawa, ON) – Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Perry Bellegarde said today’s report by the Office of the Independent Police Review Director on the relationship between the Thunder Bay Police Service (TBPS) and First Nations compels immediate action on long-standing and well-known concerns.

“This report is as tragic as it is unsurprising, and it reinforces what First Nations have been saying for years – systemic racism is clearly something that needs to be addressed in a profound and substantial manner,” said AFN National Chief Perry Bellegarde.  “This report helps set direction for immediate action. Obviously, current approaches to investigating the deaths and disappearances of First Nations fail all of us, erode trust and exacerbate already strained relationships.  Sadly, we’re talking about the death of children in too many instances. I lift up the family of Stacy DeBungee and the leadership of the Rainy River First Nation for pushing this review.  The Thunder Bay Police Service must work with First Nations to take action on the recommendations.  This includes rebuilding a relationship with First Nations peoples and leadership based on respect and trust.”

The report “Broken Trust: Indigenous People and the Thunder Bay Police Service” released this morning in Thunder Bay found “significant deficiencies” in sudden death investigations involving Indigenous people “due, in part, to racial stereotyping” and that systemic racism exists at an institutional level.

“Sadly, most of the processes looking at how justice is being delivered when it comes to our peoples have fallen short on making the changes needed,” said AFN Regional Chief Ghislain Picard, who is the AFN lead on justice and policing.  “Much of it relates to a lack of trust and the belief that indigenous peoples will not be treated with dignity when confronted with non-Indigenous police services.”

First Nation citizens and leaders in Thunder Bay and the surrounding region have long expressed concerns about the treatment of First Nations by city police. The review was triggered by the death of Rainy River First Nation member Stacy DeBungee in October 2015.

The Assembly of First Nations is the national organization representing First Nation citizens in Canada. Follow AFN on Twitter @AFN_Comms, @AFN_Updates.

(Ottawa, ON) – Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Perry Bellegarde said the passing this morning of respected Elder Elmer Courchene of Sagkeeng Anicinabe First Nation is a profound loss for First Nations across Turtle Island.

“Elder Elmer Courchene was a proud, sovereign Anicinabe who understood deeply his traditional teachings, values and ceremonies,” said AFN National Chief Perry Bellegarde. “He always took time to share those teachings with young people, with political leaders, and people from all cultures because those teachings held insight and value for all of us. I always valued his words and guidance. Losing Elmer is like losing a part of our history. But his teachings and spirit remain. Today I convey my deepest condolences and prayers to his family and community.”

Elder Elmer Courchene is from Sagkeeng First Nation in what is now Manitoba. He is a respected Elder across Turtle Island and known as a strong advocate for sovereignty, culture and language, and the rights and safety of First Nations women, girls and children. He was strong in his traditional language and, as a survivor of the Fort Alexander Residential School, understood the importance of maintaining and revitalizing First Nations languages and teachings.

“My heart is broken, and I offer condolences to the Courchene family, the Manitoba and Ontario regions and every individual and leader Elmer has guided over the years,” AFN Manitoba Regional Chief Kevin Hart told the AFN Special Chiefs Assembly this morning. “Elmer has a strong spirit and was a true warrior. He gave his life to his people until his very last breath.  This showed in his life’s work.  Elmer’s legacy is in the vision he shared with us for the seven generations ahead and the little ones.  It will continue in all our work going forward as we uphold our sovereignty and nationhood.”

Elder Elmer Courchene became the resident Elder at the Assembly of First Nations in 2005 and first served as Chair of the AFN Elder’s Council under National Chief Phil Fontaine. During that time, he helped advise in the negotiations that led to the historic Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement.

“Elders are precious and they have walked a life of teaching and passing on their knowledge to young people,” said AFN Regional Chief for the Northwest Territories Norman Yakaleya. “Truly, Elder Elmer has walked this path and ‘Mahsi’ for your guidance, and on behalf of the Elders Council and Dené Nation we pray for his family at this time.”

As Chair and long-serving member of the Elder’s Council, Elder Courchene provided advice and guidance to National Chief Phil Fontaine, National Chief Shawn Atleo and National Chief Bellegarde. The AFN Special Chief’s Assembly began yesterday with acknowledgement and prayers for Elder Courchene, and a chair and blanket are in place with the Elders as a reminder of his presence and spirit.

  The AFN is the national organization representing First Nations citizens in Canada. Follow AFN on Twitter @AFN_Updates.

(Ottawa, ON)― Hundreds of First Nations leaders, Elders, women, youth and other delegates are set to gather December 4-6, 2018 for the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Special Chiefs Assembly (SCA) taking place at the Westin Hotel on unceded Algonquin territory in Ottawa, Ontario. Chiefs and delegates will gather under the theme “Acknowledging our Challenges, Successes and Opportunities” to assess progress, and set priorities and strategic direction for the coming year.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is confirmed to address delegates at 4:15 pm on Tuesday, December 4. Other agenda highlights (note agenda times are approximate, full agenda is on the AFN website):

Day 1 – Tuesday December 4, 2018

• 8:30 a.m. – Grand Entry
• 9 a.m. – AFN National Chief Perry Bellegarde Opening Address.
• 9:30 a.m. – Honouring of Veteran Louis Oakes and the late Chief St-Denis of Wolf Lake First Nation.
• 11 a.m. – Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations.
• 1:15 p.m. – Discussion on Rights Recognition.
• 4:15 p.m. – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

Day 2 – Wednesday December 5, 2018

• 8:45 a.m. – Honourable Jane Philpott, Minister of Indigenous Services Canada.
• Northern Affairs and Internal Trade.
• 10 a.m. – Updates and Discussion on: Bill C-262, Carbon tax, Cannabis
• 1:30 p.m. – Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change.
• 3:45 p.m. – Honourable Patricia Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour. ASSEMBLY OF FIRST NATIONS MEDIA ADVISORY/AVIS AUX MÉDIAS ASSEMBLÉE DES PREMIÈRES NATIONS 55, RUE METCALFE STREET SUITE/BUREAU 1600 OTTAWA ON K1P 6L5 (613) 241-6789 telephone / téléphone (613) 241-5808 fax / télécopieur

Day 3 – Thursday December 6, 2018

• 9:30 a.m. – Updates and Discussion on: Policing, Federal Elections.
• 10 a.m. – Elizabeth May, Green Party Leader.
• 10:30 a.m. – Jagmeet Singh, New Democratic Party Leader.
• 11 a.m. – Andrew Scheer, CPC, Leader of the Official Opposition.
• 11:45 a.m. – Chief Rudy Turtle, Grassy Narrows First Nation.
• 4 p.m. – Updates and Discussion on: Moose Hide Campaign, Indigenomics.
• 4:30 p.m. – National Chief Perry Bellegarde Closing Remarks.

During the SCA, First Nation leaders and delegates will discuss Education, Fisheries, Health, the Environment, Economic Partnerships, Early Learning and Child Care, Rights Recognition, Housing, Policing, Cannabis, federal legislation and other priorities.

The provisional agenda and updates are available on the AFN website at www.afn.ca. The main plenary of the SCA will be webcast on the AFN website at www.afn.ca.

Media accreditation is required and media are encouraged to register in advance through the contacts listed below.

The Assembly of First Nations is the national organization representing First Nation citizens in Canada. Follow the #AFNSCA on Twitter @AFN_Updates.

Start Date: November 23, 2018 End Date: December 22, 2018 Nunavut-wide 65 sec

Are you planning to travel on the land? The Government of Nunavut reminds Nunavummiut to take the following safety precautions:

• Always travel with an emergency communications device and a GPS that is in working order.
• Sign out a free SPOT device at your hamlet office, wildlife office or hunter’s and trapper’s organization.
• GPS devices sometimes fail. Be sure to bring a backup like a compass and maps, and make sure you know how to use them.
• Always travel with a partner or with a group.
• Tell family and friends where you are going and when you plan to return.
• Prepare for 72 hours on the land – bring extra fuel, food, clothing and camping equipment, even on day trips.
• Plan a time to notify search and rescue if a family member’s arrival is overdue.

If you are the person responsible for calling search and rescue because someone’s arrival is overdue, please contact the Emergency Line at 1-800-693- 1666.

If you get lost, stranded or have an emergency while on the land, remember:

• Stay with your equipment and your travel companion – do not continue traveling.
• Press “Help” on your SPOT device if you are stranded or lost.
• Press “911” on your SPOT device in the event of a serious emergency.

Even experienced travelers sometimes need help. When you make and stick with a travel plan for your excursions on the land, your best experience will be arriving home safely.

Wendake, November 27, 2018 – During the recent Quebec election campaign, the Assembly of First Québec-Labrador (AFNQL) repeatedly asserted publicly and by letter to party leaders that the government-to-government political relationship between First Nations and the province of Quebec was to be revisited and that the essential conditions of this relationship are the backbone to improve community social and economic conditions.

“To this day, even before Premier Legault was formally seized of the Apuiat Wind Project as part of a Nation-to-Nation meeting with the Innu chiefs, the CEO of Hydro-Québec is converting media space into a political arena regarding the future of the project. Apuiat is the perfect example of a dossier suffering from the absence of a clear political relationship”, said the Chief of the AFNQL, Ghislain Picard.

The AFNQL has a duty to remind, among other things, that the development of an economy by and for First Nations shall be reflected through their significant participation in the establishment of the appropriate conditions of partnership at the political level. It is thus up to the Premier of Quebec to answer clearly and directly to the Innu chiefs as to the future of the Apuiat project.

“Although the exchanges between the Chiefs of the AFNQL and the Premier on November 16th announce the beginning of a frank and necessary dialogue between us, it is essential to remind that the relationship must be based on our Aboriginal and treaty rights, nothing less. We remain vigilant. We will have to react to any signal contrary to the openness demonstrated by Mr. Legault on behalf of his Government”, concluded the Chief of the AFNQL.

About the AFNQL The Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador is the political organization regrouping 43 Chiefs of the First Nations in Quebec and Labrador. Follow us on Twitter @APNQL

Ottawa, ON – On November 20, 2018, NWAC remembers and honours the Two-Spirit, Trans, and non-binary Indigenous people victimized and killed as a result of transphobic and racial violence. In this spirit, we condemn the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party’s recent resolution to debate the existence of the gender spectrum. These people are loved, valued, and their existence and worth cannot be voted on or debated.