Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak’s first year as leader has been one of unity, she said in an interview with CTV News.
“Coming together, I think we have come together as First Nations. I see that the AFN has unprecedented attendance at our assemblies.”
However, it has had to deal with many issues facing First Nations people across the country. It is sometimes a difficult feat to get all 634 First Nations Chiefs to agree on pressing issues.
Child welfare
Recently, at a special chiefs’ meeting in Calgary, chiefs rejected a $47.8 billion payment over the lack of sufficient funding for First Nations children in care for decades.
“However, I think one good thing about this is that $23 billion will come in 2025.” This money, he said, will be given in March 2025 to children and families who have been wronged, calling the child welfare system “broken.” He went on to say that this matter is still before the court.
Many First Nations citizens disagreed with the chiefs rejecting this compensation and spent years in court.
The AFN is an advocacy organization that works to promote treaty rights. The National Head is the main spokesperson at many different tables of the Government.
Boil water notice
Bill C-61 is currently in the House; If passed, it would make it illegal for any First Nations community to be under a boil water advisory. Currently, there are about 28 long-term and 31 short-term boil water advisories in First Nations communities across the country.
Although Canada is considered a developed country, some First Nations communities still live in underdeveloped conditions.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau ran with a mandate in the last federal election to end all boil water advisories in First Nations communities. He and his government have not fulfilled that promise and have yet to fulfill that mandate.
“There are Canadians, First Nations people who don’t have drinking water. Each and every one of them (parliamentarians) has a duty to get this done and do it in a good way,” said Woodhouse Nepinak.
“We are focused on getting results for young children who don’t have clean water… People’s lives are at stake… Bill C-61 should not be kept in limbo due to the political crisis in Ottawa. It needs to advance to the Senate.”
Nuclear waste storage
Nuclear waste storage is another pressing issue facing Woodhouse Nepinak. Ontario wants to bury this highly toxic waste near or on First Nations traditional lands and territories, and many chiefs have not been consulted about this plan.
This could be detrimental to the health of the population, many of whom oppose it.
For example, the Grassy Narrows community in Ontario is still dealing with several health issues, including cancer, after a pulp mill illegally dumped mercury into their water.
“These are not easy issues to address, but I think at the end of the day, people come together and find the best possible solution,” he said.
Despite all this, Woodhouse Nepinak is confident that the people it represents are on the right path to building healthy communities.
Language Preservation
The revitalization and preservation of the language is one more step towards its recovery.
The aftermath of boarding schools remains a huge burden on First Nations people.
“Education got us into this mess by losing our language, to begin with, through the residential school system. Education will get us out of there,” said Woodhouse Nepinak.
what is to come
Woodhouse Nepinak is the second woman to lead the organization. Since 2025 is an election year in which there will most likely be a new government leading the country, she is already making connections and forming relationships with those who may be in power.
“I think any smart government knows they have to work with First Nations people. “I met with the (Pierre) Poilievres, with him and his wife,” he said.
“I want to continue that relationship and with all other political parties to make sure First Nations priorities are not sidelined.”
