Media Advisory - First Nations Leaders and Delegates Gather for AFN Special Chiefs Assembly on Federal Legislation, May 1 & 2 in Gatineau, Quebec

OTTAWA, April 27, 2018 /CNW/ - Hundreds of First Nations leaders, Elders, women, youth and other delegates are set to gather May 1 & 2, 2018 for the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Special Chiefs Assembly (SCA) on Federal Legislation taking place at the Hilton Lac Leamy in Gatineau, Quebec.  Delegates will examine and discuss federal legislation that is being proposed or underway that impact First Nations. The SCA will feature dialogue and discussion on the legislation and delegates will hear directly from federal cabinet ministers and federal party leaders. As an AFN Assembly, resolutions relating to federal legislation can be put forward for decision and direction.

The agenda is being finalized. Current highlights include:

Day 1 – Tuesday May 1, 2018 (all times local)

The SCA Grand Entry takes place at 8:45 a.m.

AFN National Chief Perry Bellegarde Opening Address at approximately 9 a.m.

Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs, Honourable Carolyn Bennett (following National Chief Bellegarde's Opening Address)

Minister of Canadian Heritage, the Honourable Mélanie Joly

National Chief Bellegarde SCA Press Conference at 12 noon.

Speeches by Federal Party Leaders, beginning at approximately 2:45 p.m.

• Conservative Party of Canada Leader the Honourable Andrew Scheer
• Green Party of Canada Leader Elizabeth May
• New Democratic Party Leader Jagmeet Singh

Plenary discussion on federal legislation and related resolutions follows.

Day 2 – Wednesday May 2, 2018

Presentations by federal cabinet ministers starting at 9:00 a.m.:

• Honourable Jane Philpott, Minister of Indigenous Services Canada
• Bill Blair, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and to the Minister of Health

Plenary discussion on federal legislation and related resolutions follows.

A provisional agenda is available on the AFN website at www.afn.ca.

The main plenary of the SCA will be webcast on the AFN website at www.afn.ca. 

There is no cost to accredited media to attend and media can register onsite but are encouraged to register in advance through the AFN Communications contacts on this advisory.

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

SOURCE Assembly of First Nations

Jamie Monastyrski, Press Secretary - National Chief's Office, 343-540-6179 (cell), [email protected]; Monica Poirier, Bilingual Communications Officer, 613-292-0857 (Cell), [email protected]; Jenna Young Castro, Communications Officer, 613-314-8157 (cell), [email protected]