Assembly of First Nations 37th Annual General Assembly

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2016 AFN Annual General Assembly
- Environment Minister Catherine McKenna
speaks at the 37th Annual General Assembly
- Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Carolyn Bennett addresses the 37th Annual General Assembly of the Assembly of First Nations
- Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould speaks at the 37th Annual General Assembly of the Assembly of First Nations in Niagara Falls, Ont.,...
- Assembly of First Nations National Chief
Perry Bellegarde speaks with journalists on the first day
- Assembly of First Nations National
Chief Perry Bellegarde delivers the keynote address
VIDEOS: http://www.cpac.ca/en/digital-archives/?program=176

SIGNED by AFN and Indigenous Affairs
- Historic Memorandum of Understanding
regarding a new fiscal relationship between First Nations and Canada

at the Assembly of First Nations 37th Annual General Assembly
(AFN's Perry Bellegarde & Carolyn Bennett (Indigenous Minister) sign accord for new fiscal relationship: lift 2% cap)
READ IT HERE: http://www.afn.ca/uploads/files/afn-rcmp.pdf

http://livestream.com/afn/events/5756048

July 12, 2016

(Niagara Falls, ON): First Nations Chiefs, Elders and citizens from across the country gathered today to open the Assembly of First Nations’ (AFN) 37th Annual General Assembly in Niagara Falls, Ontario. The Assembly was marked by the signing of a historic memorandum of understanding which launches work to develop a new fiscal relationship between First Nations and Canada.

The MOU was signed by AFN National Chief Perry Bellegarde and Indigenous and Northern Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett to lay the groundwork for a new era of stable, sustainable and predictable funding for First Nations towards closing the gap in the quality of life between First Nations and Canadians.

“Today we turn the page on fiscal policies of underfunding and neglect as we begin the work required to support First Nations in establishing a new fiscal relationship with Canada,” said AFN National Chief Perry Bellegarde. “First Nations have suffered for 20 years under a punishing 2% cap on annual funding increases, resulting in a growing gap in our quality of life compared to the rest of the country. This historic agreement will establish a new working relationship and contribute to stronger and more self-sufficient economies, better social infrastructure and healthier First Nations communities.”

During a ceremony today, AFN National Chief Perry Bellegarde and the Honourable Dr. Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to undertake a comprehensive review of the existing fiscal relationship and the steps required to design a new fiscal relationship between Canada and First Nations.

The MOU will immediately initiate a process by which Canada and First Nations will jointly design and establish sufficient, predictable and sustained funding for First Nations communities – eliminating the previous 2% cap in federal funding. The Parties commit to establishing a joint Canada-First Nations New Fiscal Relations Working Group, which will be charged with developing recommendations to realize this new fiscal relationship. The work of AFN representatives on the Working Group will be overseen by the AFN Chiefs Committee on Fiscal Relations.

Throughout this week’s Annual General Assembly, over 1,000 First Nations Chiefs, Elders and youth will be gathering under the theme “Gaining Momentum” to take part in regional meetings, strategy sessions and resolution developments on key priorities to set the course for the coming months. Sessions focus on key First Nations priorities, such as climate, missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, health and education.

The Honourable Dr. Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs, and the Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, addressed delegates on Tuesday. The federal Minister of Environment and Climate Change, the Honourable Catherine McKenna, and the Minister of Health, the Honourable Jane Philpott, will also attend the AFN AGA.

The AFN’s 37th Annual General Assembly begins on July 12 and ends July 14, 2016. Plenary sessions are broadcast live on the AFN website at http://www.afn.ca

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

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Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on a New Fiscal Relationship with the Assembly of First Nations
July 12, 2016 – Niagara Falls, ON – Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada

The Government of Canada is committed to lifting the 2 percent funding cap for First Nations programs and working to establish a new fiscal relationship that gives First Nations communities sufficient, predictable and sustained funding to ensure the overall wellbeing of First Nations.

Today, the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs, and the National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, Perry Bellegarde, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to work together to deliver on this commitment.

The MOU will start a collaborative process for Canada and First Nations to undertake a comprehensive review of the existing fiscal relationship and develop proposals and recommendations for the design of a new fiscal relationship. This work is a foundational part of renewing the relationship between Canada and Indigenous peoples based on recognition of rights, respect, co-operation and partnership.

A Joint Committee will examine the current fiscal arrangements to identify areas and elements of the existing relationship that are impeding progress in moving towards a nation to nation relationship. The Committee will make recommendations by December 31, 2017.

Quote
“The Government of Canada is committed to establishing a new fiscal relationship with First Nations based on the recognition of rights, respect, co-operation and partnership. With the signing of this Memorandum of Understanding, we are establishing a process with the Assembly of First Nations to achieve this goal and eliminate disparities and inequities in the socio-economic conditions between First Nations and other Canadians. The initiative announced today is another step towards the renewal of our relationship with our Indigenous partners.”

The Honourable Carolyn Bennett, M.D., P.C., M.P.,
Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs

CPAC VIDEO: http://www.cpac.ca/en/programs/cpac-special/episodes/48306461/

Webcast on the AFN website at http://livestream.com/afn/events/5756048

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First Nations and RCMP Sign Relationship Building Protocol

Assembly of First Nations National Chief Perry Bellegarde
and Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Sign Protocol to Strengthen Relationship and Cultural Awareness

(Bob Paulson RCMP commissioner pledges to put action to words - he signed protocol agreement to improve relations with indigenous people. Photo: Chris Glover, CBC)

NIAGARA FALLS, Ontario, July 12, 2016

- AFN National Chief Perry Bellegarde and RCMP Commissioner Bob Paulson today signed an agreement to promote relationship building and reconciliation between First Nations and the RCMP during today's opening of Assembly of First Nations' 37th Annual General Assembly (AGA) in Niagara Falls, ON.

The Relationship Building Protocol includes joint commitments to develop systems to effectively address discrimination and racism in the RCMP, enhance respect for the fundamental rights of First Nations people, and to ensure public safety without discrimination.

"Today's signing represents an important commitment to improve relations and advance reconciliation between First Nations and the RCMP," said AFN National Chief Bellegarde. "I lift up Commissioner Paulson for his willingness to work together on healing, relationship building, enhanced cultural awareness and anti-discrimination training."

The Protocol Agreement was jointly developed to promote relationship building and provide ways for interested First Nations to work with the RCMP as they see fit. The protocol commits the AFN and the RCMP to support action to address the safety and security of Indigenous women and girls. The protocol includes plans to develop appropriate recruiting strategies for First Nations individuals interested in the RCMP as a career of choice, and First Nations involvement in the continued development of cultural awareness and anti-discrimination training to members of the RCMP.

NOTE: The full Protocol Agreement between the AFN and the RCMP will be posted on the AFN website at http://www.afn.ca

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

SOURCE Assembly of First Nations

For further information: Alain Garon, Bilingual Communications Officer, 613-292-0857 (cell), agaron@afn.ca; Jenn Jefferys, Communications Officer, 613-222-9656 (cell), jjefferys@afn.ca