The Assembly of First Nations General Assembly officially wrapped up last week on the traditional territory of the Wolastoqey-Maliseet. Discussions around an Indigenous 2019 Federal Election Strategy was one of the main highlights from the event.
Approximately 1200 people attended the 2019 Assembly of First Nation (AFN) Annual General Assembly that wrapped-up in Fredericton, New Brunswick late last week.
Yukon First Nations Chiefs, Elders, women's and youth representatives were all at the assembly, with talks focusing on an upcoming 2019 Federal Election Strategy to get more Indigenous people to vote.
AFN Yukon Regional Chief Kluane Adamek was at the talks, and a in statement she said "First Nations turned out in record numbers during the last federal election and we're working to increase our number in this fall election... First Nations are a force in the upcoming election and our message is that if you want to be an MP or Prime Minister, you need to listen to First Nations."
Informing First Nations on how and where to vote, creating a communication strategy to First Nations led by Chiefs regarding the importance of voting, and hosting candidate forums all make up part of the strategy.
Regional Chief Adamek says the federal election strategy initiatives will all take place leading up the the federal election on October 21st.
Pipe ceremonies, discussions around the National Inquiry into the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Final Report, and discussions and resolutions on Assembly objectives were other things taking place during the three-day event.