About AFN

The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) is a national advocacy organization that works to advance the collective aspirations of First Nations individuals and communities across Canada on matters of national or international nature and concern. The AFN hosts two Assemblies a year where mandates and directives for the organization are established through resolutions directed and supported by the First Nations in Assembly (elected Chiefs or proxies from member First Nations).

In addition to the direction provided by Chiefs of each member First Nation, the AFN is guided by an Executive Committee consisting of an elected National Chief and Regional Chiefs from each province and territory. Representatives from five national councils (Knowledge Keepers, Youth, Veterans, 2SLGBTQQIA+ and Women) support and guide the decisions of the Executive Committee.

AFN Executive Committee

Bobby Cameron

AFN Regional Chief, Saskatchewan

Cindy Woodhouse

AFN Regional Chief, Manitoba

Darlene Bernard and Junior Gould

Interim Regional Chief, Prince Edward Island

Gerald Antoine

Regional Chief, Northwest Territories

Ghislain Picard

AFN Regional Chief, Quebec/Labrador

Glen Hare

AFN Regional Chief, Ontario

Joanna Bernard

AFN Regional Chief, New Brunswick

Kluane Adamek

Regional Chief, Yukon

Paul (PJ) Prosper

AFN Regional Chief, Nova Scotia / Newfoundland

RoseAnne Archibald

National Chief, Assembly of First Nations

Terry Teegee

AFN Regional Chief, BCAFN

AFN Elders Council

Elders provide both spiritual and political guidance in the formation of the organization, its structures and its Charter

The Elders Council work tirelessly to make significant contributions in the following areas, Lands and Resources/Climate Change, New Governance Relationship/Nation Building, the Health and Well-being of First Nations, First Nation Language’s and also the best effort to communicate the work being done at the national level to the regions in which they represent.

The Elders Council carries forward the collective voices of Elders from each region, together walking on a sacred path for the betterment of First Nations. As an Elders Council, in recognition of those responsibilities to our Nations, the Elders Council will work together for the sacred life of our Nations as guided by the seven sacred teachings.
The Elders Council works to provide support and guidance throughout the AFN and their work is provided through the many activities and issues identified by the Council and the regions they represent.

AFN Women's Council

The current Chair of the AFN Women’s Council is Chief Constance Big Eagle. The AFN Women’s Council are engaged in various meetings and activities. Representatives have attended the Elders Gathering on the Environment and the Western Urban Aboriginal Strategy. The Women’s Council also participated in the 2017 Nation Indigenous Women’s Summit Steering Committee and co-planning of a Tri-Council Conference in February, 2017 and are actively engaged in the discussions regarding the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

The purposes of the Women’s Council are:

To unify and create healthy, happy, and harmonious communities through cultural identity and cultural teachings based on: respect, love, courage, wisdom, honesty, humility and truth;

To establish a gender-balanced perspective within First Nations communities, and within all entities dealing with First Nations, that honours the rights and aspirations of First Nations women.

AFN Youth Council

The Assembly of First Nations National Youth Council (AFN-NYC) is a key component of the AFN, representing First Nations youth across the country and advocating for issues that impact them on a daily basis. The AFN-NYC creates and promotes opportunities for youth to engage in important issues such as languages, life promotion, healthy lifestyles, climate action, culture and education. The AFN-NYC reports to the AFN as an advisory body on all issues from a youth perspective.

The AFN-NYC operates as a 20 member council of First Nations youth from each of the 10 AFN regions. Each region appoints one male and one female representative, whose length of term depends on their regional process. The representatives are selected by regional youth councils or by their Regional Chief. The two current co-chairs of the AFN-NYC are Cedric Gray-Lehoux and Rosalie LaBillois.