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Assembly of First Nations
Category:	Organisation
Sub Category:	Representative Body
Place:
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State/Country:	Northwest Territories, Canada
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Alternative Names:	Assemblee des Premieres Nations
Subject Matter:	Cultural Heritage \| Economic Development \| Education \| Employment and Training \| Health and Community Services \| Self Government
URL:	http://www.afn.ca/
Summary Information:
The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) is a national representative body and lobby organisation established to promote the 'restoration and enhancement' of Canada's First Nations people. It represents the interests of over 630 First Nations communities. It addresses matters including Aboriginal and treaty rights, land claims, economic development, education, languages and literacy, health, housing, social development, taxation, justice and the environment. AFN Chiefs meet a on an annual basis for the purpose of establishing national policy and direction. The National Chief is elected every three years by the Chiefs-in-Assembly. Currently, the National Chief is Phil Fontaine (at 18 October 2005). The AFN's operations are funded in large part by the Department of Indian Affairs. The structure of the AFN is determined by the Charter of the Assembly of First Nations, originally adopted in 1985. Its central operational bodies are the First Nations-in-Assembly, the Confederacy of Nations, the Executive Committee, the Secretariat and the Council of Elders. The Executive Committee is composed of the National Chief, the Regional Vice-Chiefs and the Chairperson of the Council of Elders. The AFN is committed to the accomplishment of self-determination for each First Nation in Canada.