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BCAFN Holds Successful 20th Annual Special Chiefs Assembly this Week

Press Release

March 8, 2024

(Lheidli T’enneh Territory, Prince George, BC) — The BC Assembly of First Nations (BCAFN) was pleased to host the 20th Annual Special Chiefs Assembly (SCA) virtually this week. BCAFN takes direction and fulfills mandates as discussed and approved through resolutions by First Nations-in-Assembly during the two days.

Premier David Eby, Minister Murray Rankin for Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, Minister Nathan Cullen for Water, Land, and Natural Resources Stewardship, and provincial government representatives updated Chiefs and leaders on various important matters. Federal Minister Gary Anandasangaree, overseeing Crown-Indigenous Relations, actively engaged with Chiefs and leaders to address critical concerns.

BCAFN shared updates on their efforts towards advancing key priorities, such as preserving First Nations languages, implementing the UNDRIP National Action Plan, addressing the climate crisis through the First Nations Climate Leadership Agenda, fostering economic development via the newly established BC First Nations Centre of Excellency in Economic Development, reviewing policing and justice, ensuring access to safe drinking water, managing forestry resources, supporting children and families, advocating for increased resources for emergency management and overseeing fisheries issues.

During the assembly, seventeen resolutions were passed during both days, which will guide and focus the BCAFN’s future activities.

“We continue to vigorously advocate for the advancement of the UN Declaration Act (Canada) and the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (BC). We must continue working with governments and industry to align laws and policies to the minimum human rights standards as laid out in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, despite challenges imposed by certain BC opposition members,” stated Regional Chief Terry Teegee.

Agenda and meeting documents can be found on the BCAFN Events website

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Media contact: Annette Schroeter, BCAFN Communications Officer, (778) 281-1655

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