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"Let us work together to build true First Nations governance."
-- Matthew Coon Come National Chief, Assembly of First Nations.

Squamish First Nation, BC – First Nations Chiefs from across the country have rejected the Indian Affairs Minister’s proposed initiative to revise the Indian Act. The Chiefs are calling for a better process that focuses on building effective and efficient First Nations’ governments. AFN Resolution 15/01was adopted and approved today by Chiefs at the Assembly of First Nations’ Confederacy Meeting taking place at Squamish First Nation, just outside Vancouver, BC.

“I am here today to ask the Minister to discuss our concerns and advocate for a better process that will benefit First Nations and Canada,” said AFN National Chief Matthew Coon Come. “The Minister’s proposed ‘Governance Act’ is limited in scope and has nothing to do with real governance. It is about tinkering with existing policies to make First Nations more accountable to government, and the government less accountable to First Nations. Our vision of governance is based on the nation-to-nation relationship expressed in section 35 of Canada’s own Constitution Act.”

The Chiefs’ motion states “that we reject the process the Minister is currently pursuing and instead that we, as First Nations, will draw up our own laws based on traditional customs and practices at the local community, regional and national levels”.

The National Chief noted that First Nations do want change, but the Minister’s proposed process is seriously flawed.

“Change must be the result of a joint process and effort, not a unilateral action by the Minister. We want to throw off the burden of the colonial Indian Act and move into a nation-to-nation relationship with Canada,” said National Chief Coon Come. “This resolution gives the National Chief and the Executive a mandate to work with First Nations to develop a better process that will include all our citizens in re-building our nations and addressing our priorities. This need not be a long drawn-out process, as we can build on existing work like the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples.”

First Nations leaders also expressed concerns that the Minister developed his proposal without any input from First Nations, is not providing nearly enough time for full consultations, and will not provide any mechanism for First Nations citizens to approve or reject the outcomes. The Minister has stated that any new legislation will be mandatory and will be imposed on First Nations.

“Is the government going back on its commitment to work in partnership with First Nations as stated in its own Gathering Strength policy?,” asked the National Chief. “The Minister’s unilateral, imposed approach reflects the same attitude that created the Indian Act in the first place. A flawed process will only result in flawed outcomes. It will be resisted by First Nations and will be an irresponsible use of public funds.”

“If the federal government is truly committed to addressing social justice and the concerns of First Nations citizens, then they will work with us on a First Nations driven process,” said National Chief Coon Come. “Let us work together to build true First Nations governance, to foster individual and community health and well-being, to recognize and implement First Nations rights.”

The Assembly of First Nations is the national organization representing First Nations in Canada.