Hereditary Chief from the Ahousaht First Nation, B.C.; first elected as national chief in 2009; re-elected on the third ballot in 2012; and is currently on medical leave. Is focused on increasing two per cent funding cap and education. ‘We have arrived at a moment unlike any other in the history of our peoples.’
New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island AFN Regional Chief Roger Augustine
Mi’kmaq from Eel Ground First Nation, N.B.; sits on AFN executive committee; taking over for Shawn Atleo while he is on medical leave; and attended the Jan. 11 PMO meeting. ‘Our supporters will organize and defend [the national chief]—we’ll protect the work he has done. … He’s got a strong mandate. If the chiefs are to attack a man like Shawn Atleo, people will speak.’
Saskatchewan AFN Regional Chief Perry Bellegarde
Chief of the Little Black Bear First Nation; sits on AFN executive committee; did not attend PMO meeting; and is focused on treaty rights and resource revenue sharing. He believes resource revenue sharing is ‘unfinished treaty business’ and that there must be a dialogue going forward but also supports peaceful protest. ‘We need dialogue. ... Let’s put our heads and minds together so we can really work in a co-operative manner to resolve these issues.’
British Columbia AFN Regional Chief Jody Wilson-Raybould
Descendant of the Musgamagw Tsawataineuk and Laich-Kwil-Tach peoples, and a member of the We Wai Kai Nation; sits on AFN executive committee; and attended PMO meeting.
Grand Chief of the Grand Council of the Crees Matthew Coon Come
Former AFN national chief; attended PMO meeting; and urged Theresa Spence to end her fasting. ‘The Prime Minister is not going to relinquish his executive powers to the Governor General. That’s the reality. … I don't know who is advising her. I don't know who she has surrounded herself with but I think if one is to make statements, they have to be credible, based on at least some facts, on some knowledge, and hopefully be able to compromise.’
Sto:lo Tribal Council Grand Chief Doug Kelly
Believes First Nations should unite together on common issues. ‘I’ve seen it and I’ve heard it and I’ve felt it. People can’t seem to accept the results [of AFN 2012 election]… But my chiefs want to move on. Now is not the time to fall apart.’
Conservative Senator Patrick Brazeau
Algonquin from Kitigan Zibi reserve near Maniwaki, Que.; and former president of the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples. ‘Whether we like it or not, the AFN is the only legitimate process we have. Until chiefs agree to bring about more legitimacy to the AFN, we must support National Chief Shawn Atleo.’
Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence
Became known after Attawapiskat housing crisis occurred in 2011; began highly-publicized fasting on Dec. 11, 2012 on Victoria Island in Ottawa, Ont., drinking only fish broth, tea and vitamins; refused to meet with Prime Minister Stephen Harper because Governor General David Johnston did not attend meetings; is focused on treaty rights and resource revenue sharing; and is demanding the Canadian government fulfill its duty to consult First Nations.
Cross Lake First Nation elder Raymond Robinson
On a hunger strike since Dec. 13 in opposition to Bill C-45; and is asking to meet with Prime Minister Stephen Harper to discuss treaty rights and the failure to consult.
Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Grand Chief Derek Nepinak
Pine Creek First Nation chief; outspoken advocate for treaty rights, concerned with environmental impacts of Conservative government’s legislation; supports Chief Theresa Spence’s fasting; and is focused on peaceful protests. He says he believes the Canadian government should meet with First Nations on their terms rather than dictating ‘prescribed and predetermined’ solutions. ‘The Idle No More movement has the people, it has the people and the numbers that can bring the Canadian economy to its knees.’
Northwest Territories AFN Regional Chief Bill Erasmus
Dene National chief; ran unsuccessfully for AFN national chief in 2012, placing third behind Pam Palmater; and did not attend PMO meeting. ‘It's a tough one, as I outlined to you, we had a consensus. All the people that were there had a consensus; we said we were not going into the meeting unless we had some movement.’
Manitoba AFN Regional Chief Bill Traverse
Kinonjeoshtegon First Nation; and did not attend PMO meeting, remaining in solidarity with Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Grand Chief Derek Nepinak.
Ontario AFN Regional Chief Stan Beardy
Grand Chief of Nishnawbe Aski Nation and did not attend PMO meeting. ‘There is a tremendous amount of frustration and anger among First Nation people, especially the youth, and it is absolutely imperative at this point in time for the government to engage First Nations in a respectful and meaningful relationship. The frustration and unrest among First Nations will begin to create economic uncertainty for investments which will then affect the economic stability in this country.’
Grand Chief of the Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians Gordon Peters
Has been organizing protests and participating in blockades in southwestern Ontario; upset that AFN chose who could meet the Prime Minister; does not agree that chiefs should have met PM without Governor General; and promises to hold more blockades if PM and GG refuse to come to First Nations’ table. ‘There will be more coming. … It will be based on the assessment of the work that we will be able to do with the federal government.’
Pamela Palmater
Mi’kmaq from Eel River Bar First Nation, N.B.; chair of Ryerson University's Centre for Indigenous Governance; ran unsuccessfully for AFN national chief in 2012, placing second behind Shawn Atleo; outspoken advocate for non-status Indians and treaty rights; supports Chief Theresa Spence and Idle No More movement from grassroots perspective; focused on repealing legislation that negatively affects First Nations and imposed on them without prior and informed consent; and helped coordinate protests on Parliament Hill during the AFN special chiefs assembly December 2012.
Onion Lake Cree Nation Chief Wallace Fox
Helped coordinate protests on Parliament Hill during the AFN special chiefs assembly December 2012; and supports Chief Theresa Spence and Grand Chief Derek Nepniak’s stance that meetings should be held on First Nations’ terms. ‘We’re not going to meet with Harper on his agenda because we initiated this as chiefs.’
Maude Barlow, president Council of Canadians
Supports Chief Theresa Spence and is encouraging Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal winners to return their medals in solidarity because the Crown refuses to meet with First Nations. Ms. Barlow says she’s going to return hers.
Original Article
Source: hill times
Author: BEA VONGDOUANGCHANH
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