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Policy Portfolios

All Assembly of First Nations Regional Chiefs across the country are responsible for advocating for their respective regions. In addition to this advocacy, Regional Chiefs participate in various AFN committees to examine policy issues from a National perspective. 

Regional Chief Joanna Bernard is a member of AFN’s Fisheries Committee, 2SLGBTQQIA+ Committee, as well as the Management Committee. Learn more about each committee’s 2022 activities by clicking below: 

AFN Fisheries
Committee

2SLGBTQQIA+
Committee

Management
Committee

NB-AFN welcomes and encourages open dialogue and communication.

We want to continue to hear and learn from Elders, fellow leaders, and community members. Contact us today to discuss any of these policy items or other concerns that should be raised at the Assembly of First Nations.

Regional Chief Joanna Bernard

AFN Regional Office - New Brunswick
(506) 737-7018
afnregionaloffice@gmail.com

AFN Fisheries Portfolio

Recent heat waves and floods and pandemic measures raised many issues with respect to the impacts of climate change on First Nation fisheries.

The National Fisheries Committee remains committed to the National Aquaculture Working Groups’ work on an approach towards the co-development of an Aquaculture Act that respects the inherent rights of First Nations, their laws, and their decision-making concerning their waters and coastlines.

On July 20, 2022, the National Fisheries Committee co-Chairs met with Joyce Murray, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans. During this meeting, the Minister pledged to examining her commitments with respect to communication about funding for engagement for the future Aquaculture Act.

Co-Chair Joanna Bernard relayed her concerns to the Minister about re-stocking of rivers in NB. Invasive aquatic species, like the smallmouth bass, and the application for permission to add pesticides to control their spread has been the source of friction between Wolastiqiyik and Mi’kmaq.

On September 27, 2022, the AFN was approached to begin co-developing an agenda for the Canadian Council of Fisheries and Agriculture Ministers. The focus will be to restart a relationship in support of the rightful place of First Nations among the decision-makers for a rapidly declining food source we all share a responsibility for preserving. The invitation to the National Chief to attend has not yet been sent at the time of this report.

The National Fisheries Committee is regularly briefed on the Oceans Protection Program and the OPP Subcommittee’s work. The Subcommittee continues to work collaboratively with Transport Canada and the Canadian Coast Guard on the assessment of the Oceans Protection Program. To date, the OPP Subcommittee completed phase one of the assessment and has begun the work on phase two. The second phase includes continued evaluation of the OPP design, process, outputs, and the impact of the OPP on First Nations’ goals with respect to their communities, marine governance, protection, and ecosystems.

2SLGBTQQIA+ Portfolio

Health care, justice, and social workers, along with many others, continue to point to a real problem in discrimination against 2SLGBTQQIA+ people.

During the MMIWG Inquiry, it became clear that 2SLGBTQQIA+ people were being disproportionately affected as well and had even less access to safe spaces and supports. Moreover, they do not have their own specific vehicle within the larger First Nation political advocacy structures to advance their specific concerns.

There are 32 calls for justice within the MMIWG Final Report that specifically pertain to 2SLGBTQQIA+ people; generally, they call for:

  • Greater awareness of Two-Spirit issues;
  • The implementation of practical supports, programs, and services;
  • Being inclusive of their unique perspective in decision-making;
  • Data collection and research that better reflects their needs and priorities;
  • Culturally safety;
  • Mentorship;
  • Increased opportunities to advance action to support their wellbeing;
  • Program and service design that accommodates their gender and non-binary identities;
  • Research and knowledge gathering on pre-colonial knowledge and teachings about the place, roles, and responsibilities of 2SLGBTQQIA+ people to support belonging, safety, and wellbeing, and;
  • Addressing transphobia ad homophobia in First Nation communities as well as the broader community.
 
Formulating a response to 2SLGBTQQIA+ issues is often assigned to women and women’s groups. Indeed, this has also been the approach AFN has taken historically. While there may be some solidarity in terms of responding to a patriarchal colonial system, we now acknowledge that 2SLGBTQQIA+ experiences are not the same as those of women. Space must be made for 2SLGBTQQIA+ voices, communications, and representation so that they can lead systemic structural change that is responsive to them. The National Chief has committed to this, and a resolution is currently under development to amend the AFN Charter to create a 2SLGBTQQIA+ Council.

Management Committee Portfolio

The Management Committee was established by the Executive Committee as a standing committee mandated to ensure administrative and financial activities of the NIB/AFN are consistent with approved policies, authorities and guidelines as adopted by the Management Committee, Executive Committee and First Nations-in-Assembly.

The Management Committee has also been instrumental in reviewing and updating both the Human Resource policy and Finance Policy. The updated Finance Policy was adopted by the Executive Committee October 2021 and is due for a review this month (annual review provision included in the update from last year). The Human Resource policy was amended and adopted by the Executive in March 2022. A significant change/inclusion was the Whistle-blowers policy section.

The members of the Management Committee, as appointed by the National Chief, in accordance with the TOR, are Regional Kluane Adamek (Chairperson), Regional Chief Glen Hare, Regional Chief Joanna Bernard, Regional Chief Paul Prosper and Regional Chief Ghislain Picard.

Contact Regional Chief Joanna Bernard

We love to hear thoughts, ideas, experiences, and feedback from communities all across Wolastoqiyik and Mi’kmaq territory.