Media advisory - Assembly of First Nations National Chief to Lead AFN Delegation at UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues as of May 12, 2016

OTTAWA, May 11, 2016 /CNW/ - Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Perry Bellegarde will be at the 15^th Session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) in New York, NY on May 12.

National Chief Bellegarde will be at UN headquarters Thursday May 12 and Friday May 13 to lead an AFN delegation and to work with other Indigenous leaders at the UN Permanent Forum.

On Thursday, the National Chief will make a major statement to the UN Permanent Forum regarding Canada's recent announcement of unqualified support for the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.  National Chief Bellegarde will set out some key recommendations to ensure adoption and implementation of the UN Declaration in full partnership with Indigenous peoples (time of the statement to be determined).

Also on Thursday, May 12, AFN National Chief Bellegarde will co-host a special side event on the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC). The TRC's Calls to Action speak to the central role the Declaration should play in reconciliation.  For details on this event please visit: http://www.afn.ca/en/news-media/events/truth-and-reconciliationadoption-and-implementation-of-the-un-declarat

The UN Declaration sets out minimum standards for ensuring Indigenous peoples enjoy fundamental human rights, including the collective right to self-determination and rights to our lands, territories and resources.  The Declaration is an essential framework for reconciliation and renewing the nation-to-nation relationship as called for by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC).  On May 10, Canada expressed unqualified support for the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples at the UN Permanent Forum.

The theme of the 15^th Session of the UNPFII is "Indigenous peoples: conflict, peace and resolution".  For live video streaming of all open meetings visit http://webtv.un.org/

The Assembly of First Nation is the national organization representing First Nation citizens in Canada.  Follow AFN on Twitter @AFN_Comms, @AFN_Updates and visit the AFN website at www.afn.ca.

SOURCE Assembly of First Nations

Alain Garon AFN Bilingual Communications Officer 613-241-6789, ext. 382; 613-292-0857 or [email protected]; Jenna Young Castro AFN Communications Officer 613-241-6789, ext. 401; 613-314-8157 or [email protected]