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Assembly of First Nations
Assemblée des Premières Nations  (French)
Assembly of First Nations (emblem).png
AFN Logo
Abbreviation AFN
Formation Developed from the NIB beginning in 1978, eventually holding its first meeting in April 1982 in Penticton, British Columbia.
Headquarters Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Region served
 Canada
Official language
 English, French
National Chief
 Cindy Woodhouse

The Assembly of First Nations (French: Assemblée des Premières Nations, AFN) is a group of First Nations in Canada. It brings together their chiefs to discuss important issues. The AFN was created in 1982. It was inspired by the United Nations General Assembly. It grew out of an older group called the National Indian Brotherhood.

The main goals of the AFN are to protect and improve the rights of First Nations people in Canada. This includes their rights related to land, health, education, culture, and language. The AFN mostly represents First Nations people who are considered "status Indians" under Canadian law.

Other Indigenous groups, like the Métis and "non-status Indians," have their own organizations. One example is the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples (CAP). This group mainly represents Indigenous people who live in cities or off reserves.

Understanding First Nations History

Indigenous peoples in North America have a long history of forming political groups. Even before Europeans arrived, there were powerful alliances. Examples include the Iroquois Confederacy (also known as the Haudenosaunee), the Blackfoot Confederacy, and the Powhatan Confederacy. These groups helped them work together and make decisions. Later, other groups formed to create treaties with colonial governments.

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, more regional Indigenous groups formed in Canada. These included the Grand Indian Council of Ontario and Quebec, and the Allied Tribes of B.C.. After World War II, even more groups were created across Canada. They worked to protect their land rights and cultures.

Early National Indigenous Groups

In 1961, Indigenous leaders formed the National Indian Council (NIC). This group aimed to represent all Indigenous peoples in Canada. This included treaty/status Indians, non-status Indians, and the Métis. However, the Inuit chose a different path. The NIC faced challenges and eventually broke apart in 1967. This happened because the different groups could not agree on their goals.

Around the same time, other Indigenous movements were growing. In 1969, the Canadian government released a plan called the "White Paper." This plan suggested big changes to how First Nations were treated. It proposed getting rid of the Indian Act and ending Aboriginal land claims. It also suggested that First Nations people should become like other ethnic minorities in Canada.

Forming the National Indian Brotherhood

In response to the "White Paper," leaders like George Manuel and Harold Cardinal formed the National Indian Brotherhood (NIB) in 1970. The NIB was an umbrella group for different First Nations organizations across Canada. It aimed to unite their voices.

The Métis and non-status Indians created their own group in 1971. It was called the Native Council of Canada (NCC). This group later became the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples (CAP) in 1993. The CAP now represents Métis, non-status, and status Indians who live in cities or off reserves. It also represents some Inuit.

The NIB Fights for Rights

The National Indian Brotherhood (NIB) was a national political group. It was made up of leaders from provincial and territorial organizations. The NIB worked to change government policies to support Indigenous rights and self-governance.

In 1970, the NIB launched a major campaign against the "1969 White Paper." The NIB, supported by churches and other groups, strongly opposed the government's plan. On June 3, 1970, the NIB presented its response, known as "The Red Paper," to Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau. The Prime Minister was surprised by the strong opposition. He told the delegation that the White Paper's ideas would not be forced upon them.

In 1972, the NIB presented a plan called Indian Control of Indian Education. The government generally accepted this idea. This meant that First Nations communities would gain more control over their own education. This was a big step towards Indigenous self-governance. The NIB's work also helped end the Canadian Residential School System. This system had been harmful to Indigenous children for many years.

In 1973, a court decision called the "Calder case" was made. This case recognized that Indigenous land rights existed. Prime Minister Trudeau told the NIB leaders, "You have more rights than I thought you did."

The NIB also gained a special role at the United Nations Economic and Social Council in 1974. This allowed them to share Indigenous issues on a global stage. Later, the World Council of Indigenous Peoples was formed in 1975. This new international group took over the NIB's role at the United Nations.

From NIB to AFN: A New Structure

Over time, some First Nations chiefs felt that their voices were not being fully heard through the NIB. They wanted more direct involvement in national decisions.

In 1978, NIB President Noel Starblanket organized an "All Chiefs Conference." This meeting focused on "Indian Self-Government." The chiefs liked having this direct opportunity to share their ideas. At a second conference, the chiefs decided that the All Chiefs Conference would be the main voice for First Nations people in Canada.

That same year, Prime Minister Trudeau announced that Canada would take full control of its own constitution. This made the NIB and other groups wonder what would happen to the treaty and Aboriginal rights that had been promised by the British Crown. They felt that strong national leadership from the chiefs was very important.

The chiefs then created a new structure for their governance. They decided to use the United Nations General Assembly as a model. This new group would be called the "Assembly of First Nations" (AFN). The NIB would become its administrative office.

The chiefs held their first meeting as the "Assembly of First Nations" (AFN) in Penticton, British Columbia, in April 1982. This new structure allowed individual chiefs to be members and vote directly. This was different from the NIB, where only representatives from provincial organizations could vote. This new structure was officially adopted in July 1985.

How the AFN Works

The AFN gets most of its money from the Canadian government. Because of this, some people have suggested that the AFN might be too close to the government. However, many Indigenous people still support the AFN and its work.

Main Parts of the AFN

The Assembly of First Nations has several important parts that help it run:

  • National Chief: This person is elected for a three-year term. They lead the AFN.
  • First Nations-in-Assembly: This is the main meeting where all the chiefs come together.
  • The Executive Committee: This group includes the National Chief and regional chiefs from each province and territory.
  • Secretariat: This is the administrative office that helps with daily operations.
  • Advisory Councils: These groups provide advice and guidance. They include:

* Council of Elders * Women's Council * Youth Council * Veterans' Council * 2SLGBTQQIA+ Council

National Chiefs of the Assembly of First Nations

Here are the leaders who have served as National Chief of the AFN:

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Asamblea de las Naciones Originarias para niños

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