Indigenous·NewAhead of the Assembly of First Nations annual general assembly this week in Winnipeg, the AFN national chief and Manitoba chiefs outlined what’s on the agenda for the three-day meeting. 3-day meeting begins Wednesday in WinnipegStefan Richard · CBC News · Posted: Sep 02, 2025 6:15 PM EDT | Last Updated: 14 minutes agoFrom left, AFN Regional Chief Québec/Labrador Francis Verreault-Paul, Southern Chiefs Organization Grand Chief Jerry Daniels, AFN Regional Chief for Manitoba Willie Moore, AFN National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak, Elder Leonard Weasel Traveller, Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations 3rd Vice Chief Fabian Head, Anisininew Okimawin Grand Chief Alex McDougall at a news conference in Winnipeg ahead of the Assembly of First Nations Annual General Assembly on Tuesday. (Stefan Richard/CBC)Ahead of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) annual general assembly this week in Winnipeg, the AFN national chief and Manitoba chiefs outlined what’s on the agenda for the three-day meeting. Chiefs and representatives from more than 630 First Nations across Canada will vote on resolutions aimed at tackling the infrastructure gap on First Nations, building more affordable housing and getting the federal government back to the table on the child welfare reform settlement. There are more than 50 draft resolutions to be discussed and voted on. These will steer the AFN’s actions over the course of the next year.At a news conference Tuesday at the RBC Convention Centre, National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak said the stance that the AFN will take on Bill C-5, also known as the One Canadian Economy Act, will be determined early on in the assembly.Bill C-5’s Building Canada Act gives the federal government the power to fast track major economic development projects that are deemed to be of national interest. While the federal government says the changes will boost economic growth, many First Nations leaders warn the streamlined process may bypass the Crown’s duty to consult, potentially infringing on Indigenous rights.”Under the legislation, those decisions must respect our treaty and inherent rights and our rights and our title,” said Woodhouse Nepinak.Alex McDougall, grand chief of Anishininew Okimawin, which represents the four Anishininew nations of the Island Lake region in northern Manitoba, said Bill C-5 “is a perfect example of colonialism, capitalism, imperialism all wrapped up into one.”He added that government provides less and less resources to address gaps in infrastructure and services.”Our education and our capital projects are all underfunded,” he said.Woodhouse Nepinak said the AFN has called for a near $360 billion investment to address the infrastructure gap, in a submission for October’s federal budget.Southern Chiefs Organization Grand Chief Jerry Daniels said for the 32 First Nations he represents in southern Manitoba there are other priorities that he will raise at the assembly. “We continue to see shortages in safe water, housing, overcrowding and we need to create more affordable housing for our elders and our families,” he said.”Ending systemic racism in health care, delivering culturally safe services and funding community-based First Nations policing.”The annual general assembly runs Sept. 3-5.ABOUT THE AUTHORStefan Richard is a reporter for CBC Indigenous, based in Treaty 1 territory. His work has appeared on APTN, NPR, Corus Radio, Native Communications Inc., and Slam Wrestling. Stefan is a proud member of Sagkeeng Anicinabe Nation.
Assembly of First Nations to talk Bill C-5 at annual general assembly
