Unanimous voice of the Women Cheifs and Councilliors

[temperance]

First Nations women leaders issue strong statement at conclusion of historic meeting


Today there are 109 First Nations women chiefs and hundreds of women councilors leading our people. This is close to 20% of all the First Nations leaders, a much higher representation of women than can be found
in any federal, provincial or territorial legislature

February 14, 2007​

First Nations women chiefs and councilors released an eleven point consensus statement today following the conclusion of an historic three-day meeting in Vancouver. Critical issues such as poverty, matrimonial real property, the central role of women in sustainable communities, and First Nations jurisdiction were discussed and debated.​

“The strength, knowledge, and capacity of our women leaders must be heard and honoured by all First Nations, and all Canadians,” said Assembly of First Nations National Chief Phil Fontaine. “I guarantee that this consensus statement will be taken very seriously and will be acted upon by the AFN.”​

"We heard powerful First Nations women speak to the critical role that women have played in the past and continue to play in preserving, promoting, and restoring the status and well-being of women and families in our communities," said Kathleen McHugh, chair of the AFN Women's Council, which played a key role in organizing the forum. "Women hold the keys in our communities to developing and implementing holistic strategies and policies.
"In one powerful voice, we heard First Nations women leaders state 'it is now time to bring our children home and we will work collectively to ensure that our collective rights and our children's rights are respected and upheld," added Ms. McHugh. "We will work to bring our children home as First Nations citizens; home to our traditional lands and territories; to homes that are safe from mould and overcrowding; and to communities free from suicide, violence and poverty."

The following is the complete consensus statement:​

“First Nations Women Chiefs and Councillors are mad as hell with Crown government interference in our lives and we’re not going to take it anymore. For the first time in modern history, First Nation Women Chiefs and Councillors, from all across Canada, gathered in unity at the Assembly of First Nations National Forum for First Nation Women Chiefs (“Forum”) in Vancouver, British Columbia on February 12-14, 2007. First Nations Women Chiefs and Councillors express their overwhelming concern and frustration with the current situation facing First Nations communities, families and children.
This Statement represents the unanimous voice of the Women Chiefs and Councillors present at the Forum to address critical issues affecting our Nations, families and our future to compel change and make progress.
The following statements were adopted by the First Nation Women Chiefs and Councillors:

1. First Nations Women Chiefs and Councillors honor the spirit and intent of the original relationship between First Nations and the British Crown to live in peaceful co-existence, without interference, and to uphold the unceded Inherent authorities given to us by the Creator.
2. First Nations in Canada are Nations with pre-existing collective rights, responsibilities, languages, cultures, territories and laws.
3. We maintain our authority to be the law-makers and caretakers of our Nations, our families and our land. First Nation holistic laws will continue to guide our decision making in the face of any and all federal, provincial and territorial legislation. The Crown continues to breach this original compact and interfere with this Inherent jurisdiction, thereby creating and perpetuating poverty conditions amongst our peoples.
4. Our collective Inherent and Treaty rights must not be diminished or adversely impacted in the development of federal, provincial and territorial law and policy.
5. The First Nations Women Chiefs and Councillors will stand with First Nations governments to advance a comprehensive plan for accountability of all governments, the protection of collective rights and to eradicate poverty and social injustice.
6. First Nations Women Chiefs and Councillors will ensure that our lands, families and children are cared for; ensure that our rights are respected and upheld; and we will be responsible for the decisions that affect our lives. We will not relinquish our rights at the expense of our lands, families and future.
7. Negotiations and consultations regarding any federal, provincial or territorial initiatives that impact pre-existing Inherent First Nation jurisdictions and Treaty rights must take place with leadership of First Nations governments.
8. Solutions can be achieved locally, regionally, and nationally by working collectively. First Nations Women Chiefs and Councillors call upon the Government of Canada to work together with First Nations to co-create a new future for all our people.
9. The cycle of poverty, violence, lack of access to quality health care and education, and the non-recognition of Inherent First Nations jurisdiction continue to be perpetuated in federal genocide and assimilationist policies and approaches.
10. First Nation Women Chiefs and Councillors are united to oppose attempts by the federal government to unilaterally impose legislation and policy such as its initiatives currently reflected in the matrimonial real property process, and the repeal of section 67 of the Canadian Human Rights Act. These federal initiatives that diminish or adversely impact upon our unceded Inherent authorities will be rejected.
11. We will accomplish this through collective action that supports systemic change. We will stand with the leadership of First Nation governments to advance a comprehensive plan for accountability of all governments; the protection of collective rights; and to eradicate poverty and social injustice in our communities.”

The Assembly of First Nations is the national organization representing First Nations citizens in Canada