AFN releases its priorities ahead of federal election
- EFN Staff | September 09, 2019
The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Perry Bellegarde has launched Honouring Promises: 2019 Federal Election Priorities for First Nations and Canada – a document that identifies a comprehensive set of commitments federal parties must make to First Nations to work together.
With the federal election around the corner, the document that was launched on September 9, 2019 was designed for parties and candidates to honour and implement the promises towards Indigenous peoples moving forward.
Related: AFN Chief Bellegarde says Liberal promises unfulfilled
“This country was founded on promises between First Nations and the newcomers to share the land and work together in the spirit of partnership and mutual respect,” said National Chief Bellegarde in a media release. “First Nations want federal parties to commit to the promises we are setting out today so we can move forward together. Our plan is ambitious and bold because we are making progress and we must maintain momentum. Canadians understand that First Nations priorities are Canada’s priorities. Honouring these promises will benefit everyone.”
The Honouring Promises: 2019 Federal Election Priorities for First Nations and Canada is a 16-page document that highlights each promise made towards Indigenous peoples.
Such promises are:
- Promise to the Next Seven Generations: Preserving Our Natural World
- Promise for Progress: Economic Priorities
- Promise to Our Peoples: Infrastructure
- Promises to First Nations: Water
- Promise to Families: Housing
- Promise to Wellbeing: Health Care
- Promise to Young People: Education
- Promise to Women: Respecting Gender Rights
- Promise for Justice: First Nations Restorative Justice
- Promise to Legal, Moral and Political Imperatives: First Nations Rights
- Promise to Shared Prosperity: Equitable Funding
- Honouring the Relationship
- Honouring Promises: Fulfilling Promises Made
“This election is taking place at a turning point in our shared history,” said National Chief Bellegarde. “This is our time to commit to action to save our planet and ourselves, to commit to ensure all children are equipped to build a prosperous future, and to commit to a promise that health, education, the economy and justice systems will work for everyone. The plan we call Honouring Promises points the way to real, transformative change. The time to act is now.”
Honouring Promises shows how to build a stronger relationship between the Canadian government and First Nations people. They also speak to justice for First Nations, and a Canada where First Nations law is recognized as equal to common law and civil law, where First Nations rights and Treaties are recognized, respected and implemented.
“Canada was formed with the shared promises of peace, friendship and mutual respect with First Nations in the presence of all of creation. These promises, for as long as the sun shines, the rivers flow and the grass grows, are to be in effect for peoples now and for those yet unborn. The challenges now faced by First Nations peoples and by all of humanity with the declining state of our natural world were not meant to be. Think of how enriched Canada and the world can be as Canada fulfills on its original promises of peace and sharing with First Nations peoples.”
The Honouring Promises: 2019 Federal Election Priorities for First Nations and Canada document, and other information on First Nations priorities and concerns, can be found on the AFN's website.