Media Advisory - Assembly of First Nations National Chief to Lead AFN Delegation at United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues

OTTAWA, May 9, 2016 /CNW/ - Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Perry Bellegarde will participate in the 15^th Session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) in New York, NY this week.

National Chief Bellegarde will be at UN headquarters Thursday May 12 and Friday May 13 to lead an AFN delegation and work with other Indigenous leaders to advance the full adoption and implementation of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.  On Thursday, the National Chief 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).  The Government of Canada has committed to implementing the TRC's calls to action, starting with the implementation of the UN Declaration.

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]