A candidate that provides a succinct plan for rebuilding the organization, literally from the grassroots up, will find many friendly ears. Candidates who can mobilize chiefs with an agenda that focuses on certain regional issues often gain blocs of votes — a strategy successfully employed by leaders like Phil Fontaine and Shawn Atleo in the past. Candidates who can provide a vision for connecting these grassroots concerns with a style of leadership will likely gain support quickly. In accordance with direction from the Chiefs-in-Assembly, we seek to assist First Nations in fostering resource management, conservation and protection, as well as to secure the recognition and protection of rights to aquatic and oceans resources. The three candidates this time are Perry Bellegarde, chief of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations; Leon Jourdain, chief of Lac La Croix First Nation in northwestern Ontario; and Ghislain Picard, AFN regional chief for First Nations in Quebec and Labrador. The NFS is a long-term plan that embodies the recognition, protection and implementation of First Nations’ Aboriginal and Treaty rights.

From the BCAFN Blog Go to blog. In addition, the NFS also supports and promotes sustainable First Nations fisheries, aquatic and ocean resource activities to explore new innovative economic opportunities. No AFN leader has ever implemented a vision for how the organization can become an economically and politically autonomous body, less dependent on federal funding, while at the same time representing the interests of all First Nations peoples. The National Fisheries Strategy is designed to assist and restore First Nations’ rightful role in managing fisheries, aquatic and oceans resources. The AFN Fisheries Sector continues to work towards the implementation of the AFN National Fisheries Strategy (AFN-NFS). While Bellegarde, Jourdain, and Picard are all old-guard politicians, they have an opportunity to put a fresh coat of paint on an old, leaky boat.

These important dialogue processes also inform government where they must engage with First Nations on consultation and accommodation on relevant matters that can impact Aboriginal and Treaty rights. Fishing is an essential part of First Nations’ relationship to the land and its resources.

As the national political representative organization of First Nations, the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) is responsible for supporting and promoting inherent, aboriginal and treaty rights to aquatic and oceans resources.

The Strategy addresses a broad range of First Nation priority issues as well as discusses key policy and program sectors within the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) that impacts and requires input from First Nations. Traditional knowledge around fisheries and aquatic management, conservation and protection has been a focal point within that relationship. The Canadian government clearly does not want the AFN to dissipate totally, since that would force it to deal with all First Nations individually or in smaller groups (such as those forged under treaty). When the national chief disagrees with the federal government, funding is often cut, programs are compromised, and the aspirations of the membership are compromised.

As a result, people expect little from its leader, resolutions are generally disregarded, and the media presents chiefs disagreeing as being detrimental to the organization.

Or, this election of a new national chief could be the start of a fresh relationship between First Nations and the federal government. This gives the AFN potential bargaining leverage, and the campaign for national chief should be an opportunity to show how this can be best utilized in the best interests of all First Nations.

(DFO website). Over the years, dramatic changes have occurred in fisheries and aquatic management across Canada. Leadership candidates must change the way the AFN is perceived. Calls for a national inquiry on the issue of violence against indigenous women is really gaining momentum among First Nations people and will be a prime test for any candidate. The NFS is a long-term plan that embodies the recognition, protection and implementation of First Nations’ Aboriginal and Treaty rights.

Wednesday's election of a national chief for the Assembly of First Nations comes at a critical time for the AFN. As the national political representative organization for First Nations in Canada, the AFN is responsible for supporting and promoting inherent Aboriginal and Treaty Rights.

AFN to elect new leader amid questions about organization's relevance, CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices.

The Fisheries Program is advised by the National Fisheries Committee (NFC) and works closely with First Nation communities and technicians, academic institutions, and government partners to implement the AFN National Fisheries Strategy. Regulations, Jurisdiction, Economy & Health. The Fisheries Unit strives to assist First Nations in developing and initiating constructive and workable, long term solutions to our outstanding aboriginal and treaty rights issues.

Prior to joining the BC Assembly of First Nations as a policy analyst Sarah completed her Masters in Public Policy and Global Affairs at the University of British Columbia. In this regard, the AFN continues to actively pursue and develop its capacity to provide the needed technical support and coordination on First Nation aquatic and oceans resource issues at the national level. Without a massive overhaul in the way the AFN is funded, selects its leadership and relates to the federal government, the organization will always face serious criticism. By submitting a comment, you accept that CBC has the right to reproduce and publish that comment in whole or in part, in any manner CBC chooses. The AFNQL has been created in May 1985 and it is the occasional meeting point for the Chiefs of 43 communities of the First Nations of Quebec and Labrador. The National Fisheries Strategy is designed to assist and restore First Nations’ rightful role in managing the fisheries, aquatic and oceans resources. BC Assembly of First Nations frustrated by Canadian federal government’s Speech from the Throne 2020.

The National Fisheries Strategy (NFS) engages on a broad spectrum of legislative, policy and key program sectors within the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) which serves to inform and communicate various technical implications through joint dialogue processes with First Nations. The public perception of the AFN is that it is a fractured and cumbersome organization. The Fisheries Program supports First Nations in creating, maintaining, and managing vibrant coastal and in-land fisheries which are central to community socio-economic wellbeing and traditional cultures.

Over the next five years, AFN will develop and implement an enhanced National Fisheries Strategy that encompasses a strategic plan to support the development of new technical and socio-economic development strategies that will include components directed from First Nation communities.

In accordance with direction from the Chiefs-in-Assembly, we seek to assist First Nations in fostering resource management, conservation and protection, as well as to secure the recognition and protection of rights to aquatic and oceans resources. First Nation critics are calling for a massive overhaul of the AFN, which they see as weak, overly dependent on Ottawa and delivering incremental change rather than dealing with systemic, large-scale issues. AFN Fisheries Program has a broad mandate to support First Nations in multiple thematic areas related to fisheries and aquatic resources.

It currently faces a federal government with an aggressive resource and ideological agenda that may need the AFN more than the AFN needs it. It is a priority for CBC to create a website that is accessible to all Canadians including people with visual, hearing, motor and cognitive challenges. The Strategy addresses a broad range of First Nations priority issues as well as discusses key policy and program sectors within the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) that impacts and requires input from First Nations.

A much more contentious — but politically feasible issue — is how to deal with the economic agenda of the federal government. The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) is led by a national chief, who is elected for a three-year term. The vote in Winnipeg involves 639 chiefs deciding who will speak for them, and follows the sudden resignation of former national chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo in May. Wednesday's election of a national chief for the Assembly of First Nations comes at a critical time for the AFN.

Add the fact that only chiefs choose the national chief and the result is usually apathy in most First Nations communities about the AFN's ability to drive change.