Renewal Report released recommending significant changes to strengthen AFN
Renewal Commission's 18-month long study affects all First Nations peoples
OTTAWA, ON, Canada – December 7, 2005 – The Assembly of First Nations Renewal Commission (AFNRC - http://www.afnrenewal.ca/english/home.htm), formed 18 months ago to examine the purpose and structure of the national organization representing nearly a million First Nations citizens across Canada, today released its nearly 300-page report containing 47 recommendations for the renewal of the AFN.
Among other recommendations, the report calls for the National Chief of the Assembly to be elected through a universal vote of all First Nations citizens. It says the AFN should be given greater standing in the Canadian confederation. And it recommends that the AFN focus on political advocacy of aboriginal rights and issues, forging protocols and strategic alliances with First Nations themselves and with other aboriginal organizations to develop a unified voice and to facilitate the delivery of services to First Nations communities.
The report, subtitled “A treaty among ourselves,” will be presented to First Nations leaders at a Special Assembly in December, at which time the recommendations will be considered by the First Nations-in-Assembly.
The Renewal Commission was struck in December 2003 when National Chief Phil Fontaine requested its creation to examine the charter of the AFN and make recommendations on how to improve the organization. The AFN was more than 20 years old, and its structures and processes had not evolved in step with the First Nations communities. With recent court cases and land claims literally changing the landscape of Canada's First Nations, a huge contingent of First Nations peoples living in major urban centres, and an increasingly young demographic, it was time for a change.
First Nations citizens responded enthusiastically to the renewal initiative, and their input is the basis of the report, said Commission Co-chair Wendy John. “We listened to the First Nations peoples of Canada and this report is wholly representative of our peoples' thoughts and wishes for the national organization that represents them,” she said. “The recommendations are far-reaching, covering topics from self-government to women's rights, from organizational structure to youth initiatives.”
Co-chair Joe Miskokomon said the report is a powerful opportunity for AFN chiefs to strengthen their ability to represent their people, and he called on First Nations people to get behind the report. “The recommendations in the report effect all of our peoples,” he said. “The citizens' voices can and must be heard by the AFN chiefs. Our peoples need to become champions of their recommendations so that their chiefs will support the report.”
About the Assembly of First Nations Renewal Commission
The Assembly of First Nations Renewal Commission was struck in December 2003 to consult widely with First Nations people and to make recommendations on improving the only national organization representing all First Nations citizens. Its 11 commissioners were experienced individuals who, collectively, were representative of different geographic regions and of the different interests within First Nation society, including elders, youth and women, and urban, rural and remote communities. The Commission held 24 hearings across Canada attended by more than 1,100 people. More than 380 presentations were made at these meetings, with further input coming from three focus group sessions and nearly 90 additional submissions delivered by mail or email.
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