Assembly of First Nations Announces Annual General Assembly to take place in Halifax July 15-17

HALIFAX, NS, June 26, 2014 /CNW/ - Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Interim Regional Chief for Nova Scotia/Newfoundland Jaime Battiste along with Assembly of Nova Scotia Chiefs Co-Chair and Glooscap First Nation Chief Sidney Peters today announced plans for the AFN 35^th Annual General Assembly taking place July 15-17 in Mi'kmaw territory in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

"On behalf of AFN Regional Chief Morley Googoo, I am honoured to join Mi'kmaw leadership and citizens in welcoming hundreds of First Nation leaders, citizens and youth to our territory for an important and exciting Assembly that will showcase Mi'kmaw cultures, traditions and diplomacy," said AFN Interim Regional Chief for Nova Scotia-Newfoundland Jaime Battiste, who was appointed Interim Regional Chief earlier this week while Regional Chief Morley Googoo is on temporary leave for health reasons.

From July 15 - 17, First Nations from across the country will come together with shared priorities for change at the Halifax World Trade Convention Centre.  Under the theme 'Together as Nations - Educate, Empower, Enlighten', Chiefs-in-Assembly will gather to deliberate on a number of important issues including the timing of an election for National Chief, action on First Nation education, sustainable natural resource development, non-insured health benefits, and protecting and advancing rights, justice and community safety.

"This Assembly will underscore the importance of unity as each of our Nations and regions set out their plans for success and acts on them," said Interim Regional Chief Battiste.  "First Nations will determine a way forward that will ensure each and every First Nation child has equal opportunity to quality education that values our languages and cultures, an area where I'm proud to say the Mi'kmaw are one nation that is blazing a path forward.  And we will educate Canadians about the resilience, rights, diversity and vibrancy of the First Nations of this land.

We will empower our youth and listen to their strong voices for change.  We will enlighten ourselves based on respect for one another and different approaches to success, and we'll enlighten Canadians on the significant contributions of our peoples, and the importance of working together with us to achieve the change we need to see as a country."

Special host committee events include a Grand Entry in Grand Parade, a moving tribute to missing and murdered Indigenous women and musical Mi'kmaw showcase featuring First Nation artists from the region.  A Gala Dinner Reception will take place Wednesday July 16 and tickets are available at the AGA registration area at the Halifax World Trade Convention Centre beginning July 14.

AFN will be hosting its 5th IndigenACTION 5K Friendship Walk, Run and Roll on Tuesday July 15 at 6:30 p.m.

AFN and the AFN AGA Host Committee are pleased to announce sponsorship by TD Bank as well as the Province of Nova Scotia and Cape Breton University.

For more information on AGA events, including a provisional agenda of AFN business please visit http://www.afn.ca/index.php/en/the-35th-annual-general-assembly.

The Assembly of First Nation is the national organization representing First Nation citizens in Canada. Follow AFN on Twitter @AFN_Comms, @AFN_Updates.

SOURCE: Assembly of First Nations

Jenna Young, AFN Communications Officer [phone] or [email protected] 

Moira Macleod, AGA Host Committee Communications Manager [phone] or [email protected]