Assembly of First Nations 31st Annual General Assembly closing communique

WINNIPEG, July 22 /CNW Telbec/ - First Nation Chiefs and delegates gathered within Treaty One territories at Winnipeg stand together and stand united.

As stated in our Declaration of 1982, we are the Original Peoples of this land with laws and responsibilities given to us by the Creator.

Our rights have been affirmed within the Constitution of Canada and within decisions of the Supreme Court of Canada; yet still, our Treaties remain unfulfilled and our Title and rights are not respected.

The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) was adopted in 2007 as an international standard of achievement to be pursued in a spirit of partnership and mutual respect and that Canada and First Nations must endorse and act to implement the UNDRIP.

First Nations affirm our international relations as evidenced through the participation of Ambassadors from the United States of America and Bolivia.

First Nations leadership affirm our rights and responsibilities to our natural world including our lands, waters and all resources.

First Nations leadership advance a National Treaty Strategy to fully support Treaty Nations to advance their Treaty rights and responsibilities,

First Nations leadership affirm our right to benefit fully from our Aboriginal title and rights.

First Nations leadership affirm our rights and responsibilities as First Nation governments to be fully accountable and transparent to all of our citizens and the urgent need to secure and sustain our governments through exercising our jurisdiction and building our economies.

First Nations leadership affirm the Indigenous languages as the first languages of our nations and as official languages of Canada.

First Nations leadership affirm First Nation control of First Nation education as a national priority and call on all Governments and on all Canadians to support First Nation education.

First Nations leadership demand that Canada uphold its obligations to the First Nations of Canada and call for a national First Nation - Crown Relationship Gathering to initiate a process and a comprehensive plan affirming our rights, Treaties and Aboriginal title for a way forward as developed and approved by First Nations.

First Nations leadership seek legislated guarantees of funding ensuring fairness and equity through direct fiscal transfer arrangements for First Nation funding reflecting the responsibilities and needs faced by First Nation governments.

First Nations leadership affirm the role of the Elders and Veterans in directing our vision, the integral role of women in all matters of our Nations and fully embrace, encourage and support youth leadership.

First Nations leadership, as through our resolutions, direct the National Chief and the National Executive to advance specific legal action and challenges, intergovernmental dialogue and direct action including national events to advocate and educate all Canadians in fulfillment of this communiqué.

For further information: Don Kelly, AFN A/Communications Director, [phone], or [email protected]; Alain Garon, AFN Bilingual Communications Officer, [phone], or [email protected]; Jenna Young, AFN Communications Officer, [phone], or [email protected]