/R E P E A T -- Assembly of First Nations to Convene 38th Annual General Assembly July 25-27 in Regina, SK - "Our Priority: Our Children, Our Future"/

OTTAWA, July 21, 2017 /CNW/ - First Nation leaders, Elders, Women, youth and citizens from across the country are set to gather next week for the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) 38^th Annual General Assembly (AGA), to be held at the Evraz Place from July 25-27.  Chiefs and delegates will discuss key issues and determine strategy to advance First Nations priorities based on Treaty rights and inherent rights, title and jurisdiction.

AFN AGA delegates will gather under the theme "Our Priority: Our Children Our Future", reflecting the reality that the work at the AGA is for the children and future generations based on closing the gap and building stronger First Nations families, communities and governments. Delegates will assess progress over the past year, identify priorities for the coming year and set strategy for action and change.

The AGA Grand Entry will take place Tuesday, July 25 at 8:30 a.m. AFN National Chief Perry Bellegarde will deliver his opening address at approximately 9:40 a.m. Tuesday, July 25. The UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Ms. Victoria Tauli Corpuz, will speak on Tuesday, July 25. A number of federal cabinet ministers are scheduled to address the Assembly on Tuesday. On Wednesday, Commissioners from the National Inquiry on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls will address the Assembly. Agenda highlights are attached.

A detailed agenda (subject to change) is available on the AFN website at: http://www.afn.ca/uploads/files/17-07-14_afn_38th_aga_-_draft_provisional_agenda.pdf

The main plenary of the AGA 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 #AFNAGA on Twitter @AFN_Updates.

AGENDA HIGHLIGHTS

Please note agenda is subject to change. Check the AFN website for the latest agenda or contact AFN Communications Officers listed on this advisory.

Tuesday, July 25:
8:30 a.m.	Grand Entry
9 a.m.	Welcoming Remarks by First Nations leadership and government officials
9:40 a.m.	Opening Address by AFN National Chief Perry Bellegarde
10 a.m.	Address to Assembly by the Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
11 a.m.	Honouring of Ethan Bear, Ochapowace First Nation (Seattle Thunderbirds, WHL)
11:45 a.m.	Joint Announcement by AFN National Chief Perry Bellegarde and the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs
1:15 p.m.	Address to Assembly by the Honourable Carolyn Bennett
1:45 p.m.	Address to Assembly by the UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Ms. Victoria Tauli Corpuz
2:30 p.m.	Address to Assembly by the Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety
3 p.m.	Address to Assembly by the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change
4 p.m.	Discussion on Community Safety and Policing
5 p.m.	Downie-Wenjack Legacy Room Project Update
Wednesday, July 26:
9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.	Concurrent Dialogue and Strategy Sessions (see detailed agenda)
12:45 p.m.	Indigenous Languages Update
1:05 p.m.	Plenary Panels and Resolutions
4 p.m.	Address to Assembly by Commissioners of the National Iquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls
Thursday, July 27:
9 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.	Concurrent Dialogue and Strategy Sessions (see detailed agenda)
12:45 p.m.	Discussion on the Natural Resources Transfer Act (NRTA)
1:05 p.m.	Discussion with the National Treaty Alliance Against Tar Sands Expansion
1:20 p.m.	Plenary Panels and Resolutions
3 p.m.	Closing Remarks by AFN National Chief Perry Bellegarde

SOURCE Assembly of First Nations

Alain Garon, AFN Bilingual Communications Officer, 613-292-0857, [email protected]; Michael Hutchinson, Communications Officer, 613-299-6330 (cell), [email protected]