Assembly of First Nations: BC Regional Chief Terry Teegee issued the following statement after a meeting with provincial and territorial premiers today in advance of the Council of the Federation meeting taking place later today in Victoria, BC.

“It is important for First Nations to meet with premiers on priorities and initiatives that impact our people and to set direction on how we must work together to ensure nothing is done for us without us,” said AFN BC Regional Chief Terry Teegee who represented AFN at the meeting of National Indigenous leaders and premiers today.

“Today I underscored the importance of affirming and implementing rights, title and jurisdiction as a foundation for restoring the rightful relationship between First Nations and Canada, including provinces,” said Regional Chief Teegee.  “The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples contains the standards and principles that are the foundation of an ethical and predictable relationship between all of us. Including First Nations rights holders and their delegated representatives as equal partners in all decisions affecting them is the only way forward.  Today I called for a First Ministers Meeting to take place within the next year to be focused on implementing the UN Declaration throughout Canada at all levels of government. The Assembly of First Nations will continue to push for full inclusion and participation at the Council of the Federation so that First Nations priorities are addressed along with all priorities, rather than a side or after thought.”

The meeting with National Indigenous leaders will be followed by two days of meetings with the Premiers. The 2022 COF will focus on health. The 2023 Council of the Federation will be chaired by the premier of Manitoba.

The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) is a national advocacy organization that works to advance the collective aspirations of First Nations individuals and communities across Canada on matters of national or international nature and concern.  Follow AFN on Twitter @AFN_Updates.

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For more information please contact:

Lori Kittelberg
Communications Officer
Assembly of First Nations
604-340-3117 (mobile)
lkittelberg@afn.ca

Kelly Reid
Communications Officer
Assembly of First Nations
613-292-0857 (mobile)
kreid@afn.ca

Paige Hanson
Communications Officer
Assembly of First Nations
613-402-4349 (mobile)
phanson@afn.ca