Policy Sectors

Border Crossing
First Nations have Indigenous and Treaty rights to travel and trade freely across the US-Canada border.

Communications
The Communications Unit of the Assembly of First Nations is mandated to ensure that all First Nations receive timely and relevant information on various international, national, provincial, regional and local issues, priorities, policies and decisions that can impact First Nations.

Economic
The Assembly of First Nations Economic Partnerships Sector focuses on advocating for improved economic policy, programs, services, incentives, economic relations, increased revenue development options and strategic economic development.

Education
Celebrating the present and transforming the future through equitable and sustainable First Nations education and continuing working towards First Nations control of First Nations education.

Education Backup
Celebrating the present and transforming the future through equitable and sustainable First Nations education and continuing working towards First Nations control of First Nations education.

Environment
The Assembly First Nations’ (AFN) Environment unit supports First Nations exercising their Inherent and Treaty rights over all terrestrial, aquatic and ocean habitats and resources, while facilitating and coordinating national First Nations perspectives on policy, program and legislative developments.

Finance
The Assembly of First Nation`s Finance department is responsible for ensuring that funds are being used appropriately and administered in a manner consistent with government guidelines, regulations and all relevant legislation. The Finance department ensures that AFN is and remains transparent and accountable to First Nations in Canada.

Fiscal Relations
It’s time for a new relationship between First Nations and Canada, and that includes a new fiscal relationship. First Nations are seeking long-term sufficient, predictable and sustainable funding to support their citizens and build strong communities and strong nations.

Health
The Health Unit is mandated to protect, maintain, promote, support and advocate for First Nations inherent, Treaty and constitutional rights, (w)holistic health and the well-being of First Nations.

Housing, Infrastructure, Water and Emergency Services
Rooted in the needs and aspirations of the community and reflective of the cultural identity of First Nations people.

Implementing the United Nations Declaration
The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples sets out the individual and collective rights of Indigenous peoples, as well as their rights to culture, identity, language, employment, health, education and other issues.

Indian Residential Schools
Between the 1860s and 1990s more than 150,000 First Nations, Inuit, and Métis children were required to attend Indian Residential Schools, institutions operated by religious organizations funded by the Federal Government.

International Advocacy
Chiefs-in-Assembly have directed AFN engagement in international activities and mechanisms to advance First Nations rights. Therefore, the AFN is mandated to pursue an international dimension to its advocacy and activities.

Lands and Claims
Treaty-making processes were undertaken in the spirit of peaceful co-existence and mutual respect by First Nations with the Crown.

Languages and Culture
The Assembly of First Nations is convening engagement sessions regarding the Indigenous Languages Act as announced by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on December 6, 2016.

Legal Affairs and Justice
The Legal Affairs & Justice Unit is primarily responsible for providing legal advice and support to all areas of the Assembly of First Nations to ensure that the organization’s activities are conducted in accordance with the AFN Charter, governing policies and relevant jurisprudence.

Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and Ending Violence
Through resolution and the direction of First Nations, the AFN has been mandated to address the critical situation of violence, disappearance, and murder of First Nations women and girls.

Nation Building and Re-building: Supporting First Nation Governments
Alternative Financing Options for Capital Infrastructure, Citizenship as Catalyst for Nation-Building, Dialogue with National First Nation Organizations ~ Accountability, Outreach and Service ...

Parliamentary Relations
AFN advances the rights and interests of First Nations nationally by: advocating for the advancement of aboriginal and treaty rights and interests of First Nations in Canada ...

Social Development
Healthy, safe and sustainable First Nations communities through an inclusive, holistic and culturally-based social development system that promotes First Nations control and jurisdiction.