NationTalk: Unceded Algonquin Territory, Ottawa, Ontario – With the 10th Anniversary of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC) Final Report approaching in 2025, Assembly of First Nation (AFN) National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak urged all Members of Parliament (MPs) and Senators to use the fall House of Commons session to advance the TRC Calls to Action. The National Chief said MPs must act on First Nations policing, reform of Canada’s racist child welfare system, and enhancing Bill C-61, An Act respecting water, source water, drinking water, wastewater and related infrastructure on First Nation lands.
“We hope all party leaders will use the remaining time in Parliament to pass First Nations policing legislation that aligns with our inherent rights and jurisdiction,” said AFN National Chief Woodhouse Nepinak. “By supporting and implementing the historic $47.8 billion Draft Agreement on Long-Term Reform of the First Nations Child and Family Services Program and ensuring the Prime Minister delivers an apology in the House of Commons for the systemic discrimination against First Nations children and families. We can start 2025 with unity in the House of Commons and advance progress toward the TRC’s first five Calls to Action.”
In response to this week’s House of Commons debate on the deaths of six First Nations individuals and the recent police-related death of another First Nations person in Alberta on Tuesday morning—bringing the total to seven—AFN National Chief Woodhouse Nepinak urged the Minister of Public Safety, Dominic LeBlanc, to move ahead quickly with legislation ensuring long term stable funding, formal recognition of First Nation policing as an essential service–just like any other policing service in any other non-First Nation community. In addition, First Nations have been crystal clear that such legislation must affirm First Nations inherent jurisdiction. and affirmation of First Nations.
“Seven First Nation people dying at the hands of police over three weeks is unacceptable and another demonstration of why a First Minister’s meeting on reconciliation is long overdue,” said National Chief Woodhouse Nepinak. “The recent all-party response in the House of Commons is encouraging but substantive action is sorely needed. It is time to address the distressing pattern of failure identified in the Auditor General’s recent report respecting Canada’s First Nation policing program by passing a funded policing bill in Parliament.”
“Let’s not miss this window of opportunity. Together, we can drive transformative change and advance reconciliation across party lines,” said National Chief Woodhouse Nepinak.
National Chief Woodhouse Nepinak also urged all parties to support enhancements put forward by Chiefs for Bill C-61. National Chief Woodhouse Nepinak will be making a presentation to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs.
National Chief Woodhouse Nepinak added, “We have reached an important milestone, but more work remains. We expect the government to demonstrate its partnership with First Nations to strengthen this bill. This legislation marks a significant step in the long-standing battle for adequate water and wastewater services in First Nations across Canada, but we must ensure it adequately addresses the rights and needs of First Nations.”
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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.
For more information, please contact:
Jamie Monastyrski
Press Secretary
Office of the National Chief
(613) 612-7229 (mobile)
jamiem@afn.ca
Genna Benson
Director, Communications
Assembly of First Nations
604-340-3117 (mobile)
gbenson@afn.ca