WINNIPEG – Aboriginal News – The Chiefs of the First Nations in Manitoba have jointly put forward a request to the Executive Committee of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) for AFN to adopt January 24, 2013 as the date for the next meeting between First Nation leadership and the Prime Minister and the Governor General to discuss Treaty issues and the Treaty relationship on a nation-to-basis. The request of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC), the Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO) and the Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO) was formally presented to the AFN Executive by the AFN Regional Chief for Manitoba during a January 17, 2013 AFN Executive Committee meeting.
Manitoba Chiefs Motion
The Motion was duly approved by all Members of the AFN Executive Committee who were present during the meeting, which was held by conference call.
Chief Theresa Spence of the Attawapiskat First Nation and Raymond Robinson of the Cross Lake First Nation are continuing to refuse solid food until Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Governor General David Johnston meet together with First Nation leadership to discuss Treaty issues and the Treaty relationship.
AMC, MKO and SCO also requested that the AFN Secretariat be directed to communicate widely that January 24, 2013 is the preferred date and to continue ongoing communication with the Prime Minister’s Office to ensure that the Prime Minister and Governor General commit to a meeting on January 24, 2013 to discuss a Treaty Implementation Process based on the Spirit and Intent of Treaties.
The request by AMC, MKO and SCO is also in support of the similar request presented by the President of the Native Women’s Association of Canada to Prime Minister Harper in a heartfelt letter which repeated the request of Chief Theresa Spence to invite the Prime Minister and the Governor General to meet with First Nation leadership on January 24, 2013 for the second gathering between First Nations and the Crown.
