COVID-19 INFORMATION

The Great Circle of our First Nations

The Great Circle of our First Nations

Welcome to the AFNQL

The AFNQL was created in May 1985. It is composed of the Chiefs’ Assembly and an administrative office. The Assembly is composed of Chiefs from 43 communities of the First Nations of Quebec-Labrador and represent a total of ten Nations: Abenaki, Algonquin, Atikamekw, Cree, Hurons-Wendat, Innu, Maliseet, Mi’gmaq, Mohawk, and Naskapi.

The AFNQL holds Chiefs’ Assemblies four times a year, at which time it is empowered with different political mandates to its administrative office and Commissions created by the Chiefs’ Assembly. The Chiefs-in-Assembly elect, for a three-year mandate, the AFNQL Chief.

The current Chief, Mr. Ghislain Picard has been holding this appointment since 1992, and has embarked in his tenth term of office.

The AFNQL is attached to the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) whose office is located in Ottawa. The Chief of the AFNQL is a member of the AFN Executive and can be named holder of national files (examples: international, education, health, finances, etc).

Latest News

November 25, 2020 – Press Release – Declaration of the AFNQL Council of Elected Women – International Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women

November 14, 2020 – Press Release – THE AFNQL EXPRESSES ITS MOST SINCERE SYMPATHIES FOLLOWING THE PASSSING OF A GREAT FIRST NATIONS LEADER, MR. MAX “ONE ONTI” GROS-LOUIS

November 12, 2020 – Press Release – Regional Chiefs Teegee and Picard Call for Independent Investigation into the Assault of Genesta Garson

November 11, 2020 – Press Release – AFNQL LAUNCHES ITS FIRST WEBINAR ON THE THEME OF ALLIANCES MUNICIPALITIES-FIRST NATIONS

November 6, 2020 – Press Release – Announcement of $15 Million to Meet Cultural Safety Needs in the Health and Social Services Network

November 4, 2020 – Press Release – The AFNQL Welcomes the City of Montreal’s Reconciliation Strategy

October 15, 2020 – Press Release – INDEPENDENT CIVIL OBSERVER’S REPORT: CONCRETE AND URGENT ACTIONS ARE NECESSARY TO RESTORE TRUST BETWEEN POLICE AND FIRST NATIONS

October 14, 2020 – Press Release – First Nations women also have the right to security and protection

October 9, 2020 – Press Release – NEW MINISTER RESPONSIBLE FOR INDIGENOUS AFFAIRS: AN OPPORTUNITY TO RENEW OUR RELATIONSHIP

October 8, 2020 – Press Release – SYSTEMIC RACISM TOWARDS FIRST NATIONS: ALSO THE REALITY IN THE MANAGEMENT OF TERRITORIES AND RESOURCES

October 4, 2020 – Press Release – THE AFNQL MARKS THE NATIONAL DAY OF AWARENESS (NDA) FOR MISSING AND MURDERED NATIVE WOMEN AND GIRLS

September 28, 2020 – Media Advisory – Unveiling of the AFNQL Action Plan on racism and discrimination towards First Nations in Quebec

September 24, 2020 – Press Release – FIRST NATIONS MUST BE HEARD

September 18, 2020 – Press Release – Moose hunting in the Réserve faunique de la Vérendrye

September 13, 2020 – Press Release – AFNQL Marks the Anniversary of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

September 1, 2020 – Press Release – Residential Schools: Our children have suffered enough

August 17, 2020 – Press Release – AFNQL reaches out to Prime Minister Legault

August 16, 2020 – Appreciation: Grand Chief Joe Norton fostered First Nations unity

August 15, 2020 – Press Release – Statement by AFNQL Chief Ghislain Picard: Condolences following the passing of Grand Chief Joseph Tokwiro Norton

August 12, 2020 – Léger Report on racism towards First Nations in Quebec

August 12, 2020 – Press Release – RACISM AND DISCRIMINATION: A SURVEY ENCOURAGES THE AFNQL TO COUNT ON THE SUPPORT OF QUEBECERS TO BRING ABOUT REAL CHANGE

August 9, 2020 – Press Release – AFNQL STATEMENT FOR THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE WORLD’S INDIGENOUS PEOPLES

July 11, 2020 – Open Letter – OKA: 30 YEARS LATER

July 7, 2020 – Press Release – Protocol for reforming child and family services for Indigenous communities: Another step towards First Nations self-determination

July 1, 2020 – Press Release – The AFNQL invites Canadians to give reconciliation its full meaning

June 21, 2020 – Open Letter – NATIONAL INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY – MESSAGE FROM THE ASSEMBLY OF FIRST NATIONS QUEBEC-LABRADOR TO QUEBECERS

June 18, 2020 – Open letter – No More Reports, No More Commissions: We Want Immediate Action

June 15, 2020 – Press Release – Systemic Discrimination Against Indigenous People: The Ball is in François Legault’s Court

June 12, 2020 – Press Release – Family Caregivers Bill: The AFNQL and the FNQLHSSC Appeal to Minister Blais’ Listening and Sensitivity

June 12, 2020 – Press Release – BILL 61: AN IMPASS THAT PRESENTS AN OPPORTUNITY

June 5, 2020 – Press Release – ECONOMIC RECOVERY AND FIRST NATIONS: THE AFNQL CALLS FOR CAUTION

June 3, 2020 – Press Release – MMIWG Report: Dignity and Justice Must be at the Heart of Actions

May 28, 2020 – Press Release – Concrete solutions to put an end to a broken system and systemic racism against First Nations children

May 26, 2020 – Press Release – Matawinie Mining Project – The BAPE Must Hear the Atikamekw Nation

May 20, 2020 – Press Release – Formal Complaint Filed on the Ground of Systemic Discrimination and Racial Profiling by the SPVM: Another Case Too Many

Wednesday April 29, 2020 – Press Release – Lifting of Regional Confinement: First Nations Authorities Must Be Closely Involved in the Process

April 28, 2020 – Press Release – Easing of Containment Measures (COVID-19): Necessary Involvement of First Nations Authorities on Their Territories

 

 

 

 

 

 

Media Clippings

CBC news, June 22, 2020 – Ghislain Picard says Indigenous people are ‘fed up with consultations,’ want reforms now

Canadian Press, June 21 2020 – Quebec-Labrador First Nations chief skeptical of Legault’s racism committee

Montreal Gazette, June 20 2020 – Opinion: A different kind of National Indigenous Peoples Day

Photos + Videos

Message by Chief Ghislain Picard on National Indigenous Peoples Day

June 21, 2019 – Amherst Street becomes Atateken Street

Upcoming Events

AFNQL Chiefs Assembly (November 26, 2020)

Webinar on Media and First Nations (December 10, 2020)

AFNQL Chiefs Assembly

Declaration on a First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Sovereignty Affirmation Process

SOVEREIGNTY-AFFIRMATION