Paris/Brussels, June 10, 2026 – From June 9 to 15, the Chief of the Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador (AFNQL), accompanied by elected representatives from First Nations, is undertaking a diplomatic, cultural, and economic mission with various European and international institutions.
This initiative aims to strengthen the presence and active participation of First Nations on the international stage by enabling them to directly bring their voices into decision-making spaces. It also reflects a commitment to developing new trade opportunities and promoting the cultural and linguistic richness of First Nations.
The delegation is composed of members from three Nations, including women and emerging youth leaders. On the eve of the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), the delegation is engaging in strategic discussions on its implementation. The program includes exchanges on the impacts of the acceleration of major economic projects and the need to fully integrate UNDRIP principles, particularly the right to free, prior and informed consent. Discussions will also address political dynamics in Canada and Quebec in a context marked by the potential for a referendum project.
The mission agenda includes high-level meetings, notably a protocol visit to the French National Assembly, exchanges with a network of academic researchers, a networking meeting with the France–Canada Chamber of Commerce, bilateral meetings, and a plenary conference at the European Parliament. The delegation will also meet with representatives of the European Commission, the European External Action Service, the Embassy of Canada to Belgium and Luxembourg, and various sectors of UNESCO.
“First Nations have an inherent right to self-determination, including in their international relations. The challenge now is to bring this right to life in the decisions that shape our shared future,” said AFNQL Chief Francis Verreault-Paul.