First Nation Leaders to Gather in Toronto for AFN Annual General Assembly and Election of National Chief

OTTAWA, July 9, 2012 /CNW/ - First Nation leaders from across Canada will gather in Toronto, Ontario July 17-19, 2012 for the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) 33^rd Annual General Assembly and election of National Chief. Under the theme "Honouring our Traditions: Achieving Action for our Future", hundreds of First Nation Chiefs, youth and Elders will come together to elect a National Chief and engage in focused dialogue and strategy sessions for action in advancing First Nation priorities.

The three-day Chiefs Assembly will take place at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (South Building), 222 Bremner Blvd, and will include a number of special events beginning July 15.

Media require accreditation and are encouraged to pre-register online at http://www.afn.ca/uploads/files/aga-2012/afn_2012_aga_media_registration_package.pdf. There is no fee for media. Strategic sessions are closed to media.

Media Opportunities and Highlights include:

• IndigenACTION 5K Fun Run with National Chief Atleo, Olympian Waneek
  Horn-Miller, the Longboat Runners and AFN Youth Council - Sun. July 15, 9am
  - Coronation Park/Martin Goodman Trail (Lake Shore Blvd. W and Strachan
  Ave.)
• Opening Remarks by National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo - Tues. July 17,
  10am
• National Chief Candidates Forum - Tues. July 17 (Time TBD by Chiefs)
• Election of National Chief - Wed. July 18, 12pm (first ballot)

A full agenda of the AFN Annual General Assembly is available at www.afn.ca.  Information on related special and cultural events hosted by the AGA Host Committee and Chiefs of Ontario is available at http://boozhoo.ca/afnhostcommittee/.

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

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

Alain Garon, AFN Bilingual Communications Officer [phone] or [email protected]