March 12, 2013

Assembly of First Nations Welcomes Federal Court of Appeal Decision to Continue Canadian Human Rights Tribunal in Support of Equity and Fairness for First Nation Children

(Ottawa, ON) – Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo welcomes the March 11 decision by the Federal Court of Appeal to continue Canadian Human Rights Tribunal hearings on First Nations child welfare.

“It remains unfortunate that the federal government continues to battle us in court on a fundamental issue of justice and equity for First Nations children. It should not have to get to this, however yesterday’s decision is a welcome step by the Federal Court of Appeal and one that will ensure these important hearings continue before the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal,” said AFN National Chief Shawn Atleo.

NEWS RELEASE

News Release. March 14, 2013

(Coast Salish Territories / Vancouver. March 14, 2013) Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs Executive members Grand Chief Stewart Phillip and Chief Bob Chamberlin attended the Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development (AANDC) Session on Canada’s Proposed National First Nations Education Act in Vancouver B.C. on March 8, 2013.

NEWS RELEASE

News Release. March 15, 2013

Tsimshian Traditional Territory – Terrace, BC – The Union of BC Indian Chiefs and the BC Civil Liberties Association are joining forces today to call for an end to police violence in the north and across British Columbia. Representatives from both organizations are travelling to a rally in the city of Terrace, where the public and First Nations people have reported some of the most troubling issues with police of any community in B.C. The rally was organized by Heather Prisk-Wright, the wife of Robert Wright, a local First Nations man who has been permanently and seriously disabled by injuries received while in police custody in the city. While New Westminster police recommended charges be laid against the officer involved, the provincial Crown declined to prosecute the officer.

NEWS RELEASE

FNLC News Release: A promise is a promise. 
 March 8, 2013

Coast Salish Territory (Vancouver, BC) – On International Women's Day, the BC First Nations Leadership Council expresses its greatest respect to all women who collectively contribute to the strength and security of our families, communities and Nations.

February 27, 2013

   
(Ottawa, ON) – Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo today welcomed unanimous support for the development of a special parliamentary committee on missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls in Canada, with specific direction and interest in working with First Nations and other partners to propose solutions to address root causes of violence.

February 27, 2013

   
(Ottawa, ON) – As part of a panel of Indigenous leaders, Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo will discuss the importance and mutual benefits for all parties to Treaty and agreements to commit to implementation at the fourth annual National Land Claims Agreements Coalition Conference taking place this week at the Hilton Lac Leamy in Gatineau.

March 7, 2013

  

(Ottawa, ON) – Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo today expressed the need for action in response to the Special Report on Aboriginal Corrections by Correctional Investigator of Canada, Mr. Howard Sapers tabled today in Parliament. This independent report comes on the heels of another damaging report last week which pointed to racism and systemic discrimination in the Ontario justice system by Justice Iacobucci. The incarceration rate for First Nations Aboriginal adults in Canada is estimated to be 10 times higher than the incarceration rate of non-Aboriginal adults.

NEWS RELEASE

OPEN LETTER: 
February 14, 2013 

Dr. James Anaya
United Nations Special Rapporteur on Indigenous People
c/o OHCHR-UNOG
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
Palais Wilson
1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland
Via facsimile: +1 (520) 621-9140
Via email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

OPEN LETTER: UBCIC INVITATION TO UN SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON INDIGENOUS PEOPLE

Dear Dr. Anaya:

We are writing to respectfully extend an invitation to you once more to meet the Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) to discuss key issues surrounding recognition of Indigenous Title, Rights and Treaty Rights that members of the UBCIC Chiefs Council face. On December 19th, we sent you a copy of our recent Resolution 2012-54, and extended an initial invitation to you on behalf of the UBCIC Chiefs Council. While we received your response to that letter on January 7, 2013, we were surprised and disappointed to see that you had not formally responded to our invitation.

Hupacasath Files for Judicial Review of Canada-China FIPPA
News Release. February 20, 2013

(Coast Salish Territory/Vancouver, B.C. – February 20, 2013) On January 18, 2013, legal counsel for the Hupacasath First Nation, filed a Notice of Application with the Federal Court of Canada regarding the Canada-China Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPPA). Supporting affidavits for the application were submitted on February 15, 2013.

Abusive Policing and Neglect Along Highway of TearsFrom Assembly of First Nations

February 13, 2013

Assembly of First Nations National Chief urges immediate action in response to Human Rights Watch Report on Abusive Policing and
Neglect Along Highway of Tears

(Ottawa, ON) – Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo and AFN Regional Chief for British Columbia Jody Wilson-Raybould today thanked Human Rights Watch for their attention to the tragic and dire situation experienced by Indigenous women and girls in Northern British Columbia and strongly urged the governments of Canada and British Columbia and the RCMP to work together with Indigenous peoples and nations to implement their recommendations.