What is the Assembly of First Nations?
Answer
The national representative organisation of the about 634 First Nations of Canada (about 985,000 First Nations members), founded in its modern form in 1982 (as a successor to the National Indian Brotherhood of 1968) to advocate for First Nations' interests in federal policy, treaties, and self-government.
Explanation
The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) is the national representative organisation of the about 634 First Nations of Canada (representing about 985,000 First Nations members). The AFN was founded in its modern form in 1982 as a successor to the National Indian Brotherhood (founded in 1968). The AFN advocates for First Nations' interests in federal policy, treaties, self-government, and other matters. The AFN's National Chief is elected by Chiefs of First Nations every three years (as of 2024, RoseAnne Archibald held the position from July 8, 2021 until her ouster on June 28, 2023; Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak was elected on December 6, 2023).
Predecessor organisations included the League of Indians of Canada (founded 1919 by Frederick Loft), the Native Brotherhood of British Columbia (founded 1931, the oldest active Indigenous political organisation in North America), the North American Indian Brotherhood (1944), and the National Indian Council (1961, dissolved 1968 due to fissures between status and non-status Indians). The National Indian Brotherhood (NIB) was founded in 1968 with Walter Deiter as first President. The NIB's most consequential early action was opposition to the 1969 federal White Paper. NIB Presidents included Walter Deiter (1968 to 1970), George Manuel (1970 to 1976), Noel Starblanket (1976 to 1980), and Del Riley (1980 to 1982).
The transformation from NIB to AFN occurred in 1982. The AFN's revised structure responded to constitutional demands for direct First Nations representation rather than provincial Indian-organisation representation. The AFN's first National Chief, Dr. David Ahenakew (Cree, Saskatchewan), was elected on April 10, 1982. Subsequent AFN National Chiefs include Georges Erasmus (1985 to 1991, later RCAP co-Chair), Ovide Mercredi (1991 to 1997), Phil Fontaine (multiple terms 1997 to 2000, 2003 to 2009), Matthew Coon Come (2000 to 2003), Shawn Atleo (2009 to 2014), Perry Bellegarde (2014 to 2021), RoseAnne Archibald (2021 to 2023), and Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak (2023 to present).
The AFN's accomplishments include playing a central role in the constitutional patriation negotiations of 1980 to 1982 (securing section 35 protection of Aboriginal and treaty rights); leadership in the 1992 Charlottetown Accord process (advocating for inherent self-government recognition); negotiation of the 2007 Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement; advocacy for the federal 2008 apology, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and subsequent settlements; the 2017 Indigenous and Northern Affairs Department restructuring; and ongoing Crown-First Nation policy partnership. The AFN's annual general assembly, Chiefs Committees, and policy secretariat work coordinate First Nations input to federal policy. The AFN headquarters in Ottawa employs about 200 staff. AFN-federal partnerships include the Assembly of First Nations-Canada Joint Action Plan (2017) and various policy fora.
Why this matters for your test
The AFN is the national voice of First Nations and shaped many of the major federal-First Nation agreements of the past 50 years. Recognising the 1982 founding (succeeding the 1968 NIB) and AFN advocacy on patriation gives candidates two specific anchors.
Source: Assembly of First Nations; Library and Archives Canada
