/R E P E A T -- Assembly of First Nations Convenes 36th Annual General Assembly in Montreal July 7-9/

OTTAWA, July 3, 2015 /CNW/ - First Nation leaders, Elders and youth from across the country will gather in Haudenosaunee (Mohawk) traditional territory next week for the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) 36^th national Annual General Assembly (AGA) taking place at the Hotel Bonaventure (main plenary) and the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth from July 7-9.  Chiefs and delegates will discuss key issues and determine strategies and a path forward to advance First Nations priorities.

At the AFN AGA, Assembly delegates will gather under the theme "Closing the Gap: Building Nations, Asserting Sovereignty" to pass resolutions and participate in strategy sessions to determine action and change based on inherent Aboriginal rights, title and Treaties.

The Grand Entry will take place Tuesday, July 7 at 8:30 a.m. AFN National Chief Perry Bellegarde will deliver a keynote on Closing the Gap, Advancing First Nations Well-Being and Human Rights at approximately 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 7.

The main plenary of the AGA will be webcast on the AFN website at www.afn.ca.  Media are required to register on-site.  A detailed agenda is available on the AFN website at http://www.afn.ca/uploads/files/2015_aga/aga_provisional_agenda_v2.pdf

Highlights include:
Tuesday, July 7
8:30 a.m.	Grand Entry
9:15 a.m.	Welcoming Remarks by First Nations Leadership and Government Officials and Representatives
10 a.m.	Keynote by AFN National Chief Perry Bellegarde
11:30 a.m.	Discussion on Mobilizing the First Nations Vote
1 p.m.	Address to Assembly by Thomas Mulcair, Leader of the New Democratic Party of Canada and Leader of the Official Opposition
1:40 p.m.	Address to Assembly by Justin Trudeau, Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada
2:15 p.m.	Discussions on AFN Restructuring and Nation-building, Towards a New Fiscal Relationship and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Wednesday, July 8
9 a.m.	Discussion on First Nations and Energy Development
10:30 a.m.	Address by Dr. David Suzuki – Acknowledgement of Indigenous Knowledge Keepers: Clean Energy Alternatives and Responses to Climate Change
11:15 a.m.	Panel Discussion on Indigenous Human Rights
12:30 p.m.	Address to Assembly by Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada
Thursday, July 9
1 p.m.	First Nations Education, including presentation by The Right Honourable Paul Martin, P.C., Martin Aboriginal Initiative Discussion on AFN national resolutions will follow and continue through the afternoon.

Note that times are subject to change. Media can contact AFN Communications Officers during the Assembly for the latest information.

Strategy and Dialogue Sessions will be held during the AGA on Indigenous Languages, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Fisheries, Non-Insured Health Benefits Child Welfare, Administrative Boards and Tribunals, Education, Treaties, Land Rights and Claims, Social Finance and Social Innovation and Consultation, Accommodation and Consent Obligations.

The three-day Assembly will also feature special cultural events coordinated by the AGA host committee.  For more information on host committee events visit:
http://www.afn.ca/index.php/en/36th-annual-general-assembly.

AFN is hosting its 6^th Annual IndigenACTION 5km Walk on Tuesday evening July 7^th at 5:00 p.m. at Hotel Bonaventure, 900 De la Gauchetiere W.

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

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]