Assembly of First Nations National Chief Perry Bellegarde and Royal Canadian Mounted Police Sign Protocol to Strengthen Relationship and Cultural Awareness

NIAGARA FALLS, ON, July 12, 2016 /CNW/ - AFN National Chief Perry Bellegarde and RCMP Commissioner Bob Paulson today signed an agreement to promote relationship building and reconciliation between First Nations and the RCMP during today's opening of Assembly of First Nations' 37^th Annual General Assembly (AGA) in Niagara Falls, ON. The Relationship Building Protocol includes joint commitments to develop systems to effectively address discrimination and racism in the RCMP, enhance respect for the fundamental rights of First Nations people, and to ensure public safety without discrimination.

"Today's signing represents an important commitment to improve relations and advance reconciliation between First Nations and the RCMP," said AFN National Chief Bellegarde. "I lift up Commissioner Paulson for his willingness to work together on healing, relationship building, enhanced cultural awareness and anti-discrimination training."

The Protocol Agreement was jointly developed to promote relationship building and provide ways for interested First Nations to work with the RCMP as they see fit. The protocol commits the AFN and the RCMP to support action to address the safety and security of Indigenous women and girls. The protocol includes plans to develop appropriate recruiting strategies for First Nations individuals interested in the RCMP as a career of choice, and First Nations involvement in the continued development of cultural awareness and anti-discrimination training to members of the RCMP.

NOTE: The full Protocol Agreement between the AFN and the RCMP will be posted on the AFN website at www.afn.ca

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

SOURCE Assembly of First Nations

Alain Garon, Bilingual Communications Officer, 613-292-0857 (cell), [email protected]; Jenn Jefferys, Communications Officer, 613-222-9656 (cell), [email protected]