Assembly of First Nations Media Advisory

First Nations Begin Walk from Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg to Parliament Hill this Sunday to Start First Nations National Week of Action on Education

OTTAWA, Sept. 17 /CNW/ - This Sunday, September 19th, AFN National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo, Regional Chief Angus Toulouse (Ontario) and Regional Chief Ghislain Picard (Quebec) will join Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg Chief Gilbert Whiteduck at the start of a walk to raise awareness and support for action on First Nations education.  The leaders will be joined by community members, students, and supporters as they begin a five day walk from Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg to Parliament Hill.

The walk is an initiative of the Kitigan Zibi Education Sector in conjunction with students and Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg community members. The walk signals the start of the National Week of Action on Education, which includes events and activities in Ottawa and across Canada, organized by First Nations.

Date:	Sunday, September 19 2010
Time:	9:30 a.m. Media Opportunity and Photo Opportunity 10:00 a.m. Walk Begins
Location:	Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg Cultural Center 54 Makwa Mikan, Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg, Quebec (near Maniwaki)

Marchers will be walking 35 - 40 kilometers each day towards Ottawa. The walkers will arrive in Ottawa on September 23 where they will be joined by other First Nations and supporters from across the country for a rally and cultural celebration on Parliament Hill, starting at 1 p.m. EST.

The First Nations National Week of Action on Education is a follow-up to the Call to Action on First Nations Education issued by AFN June 2010. For full information, please refer to www.afn.ca/nwae/. The Assembly of First Nations is the national organization representing First Nations citizens in Canada.

For further information:

Jenna Young, Communications Officer
Assembly of First Nations
613.241.6789 ext. 401 or cell: 613.314.8157 or email [email protected]

Alain Garon, Bilingual Communications Officer
Assembly of First Nations
613-241-6789 ext. 382 or cell: 613-292-0857 or email [email protected]