Indigenous First Nation chiefs have elected Perry Bellegarde as the new National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN). His election comes months after the previous National Chief Shawn Atleo resigned over internal differences in the AFN over a Canadian government overhaul of Indigenous education.
In his acceptance speech Chief Bellegarde addressed the Canadian mainstream saying: “To Canada, we say, for far too long we have been dispossessed of our homelands and the wealth of our rightful inheritance.”
Bellegarde thanked his opponents and ended his speech saying, “Canada is Indian land. This is my truth and this is the truth of our peoples.”
Bellegarde was elected by 63 per cent of the chiefs who voted, He needed 60 per cent.
The Assembly of First Nations is seen in Canada as the representative organization of First Nation Indians, and does not include the Inuit or Métis.
However, the structure is not based on First Nation traditions, and is more a Canadian government financed organization.
The divide between the grassroots Indigenous communities and the AFN were particularly evident two years ago when a spontaneous First Nation movement Idle No More held marches and demonstrations across Canada demanding recognition of Indigenous treaties with Canada.
The divisions were evident even after the National Chief was elected on Wednesday, when the third place candidate, former chief of the Lac La Croix First Nation, Leon Jourdain told assembled chiefs: “I am saddened by the fact that this collective… has chosen the corporate road over the lives of our children.”
More information:
CBC News – Perry Bellegarde named new AFN national chief – here
CTV News – Saskatchewan’s Perry Bellegarde voted in as new AFN chief – here
APTN News – Saskatchewan’s Perry Bellegarde wins election for new AFN national chief – here
CBC News – Assembly of First Nations election: 5 issues to watch – here
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