b'ABOUT USAbout the AFNT he Assembly of FirstCHRONOLOGY OF NATIONAL CHIEFSNations (AFN) is a national advocacy organizationWalter Dieterrepresenting First Nation(born May 31, 1916; died Sept. 7, 1988) was a Cree of the citizens in Canada, which includes more than 900,000 people living inPeepeekisis Indian Band in Saskatchewan. Mr. Dieter was 634 First Nation communities and inone of the founders of the National Indian Brotherhood.cities and towns across the country.George ManuelFirst Nation leaders (Chiefs) from(born Feb. 21, 1921; died Nov. 15, 1989) was a member of coast to coast to coast direct the workthe Shuswap Nation of the Neskonlith Indian Band in of the AFN through resolutions passed at Chiefs AssembliesBritish Columbia. held at least twice a year. The AFN National Executive is made up of the National Chief, 10 Regional Chiefs and the chairsNoel Starblanketof the Elders, Womens and Youth councils. Regional Chiefs(born Sept. 26, 1946; died April 15, 2019) was a Cree of the are elected every three years by Chiefs in their regions. Chiefs,Starblanket Indian Reserve in Saskatchewan. who are elected by the citizens and members of their respective communities, elect the National Chief every three years. Delbert RileyThe role of the National Chief and the AFN is to advocate onis a member of the Chippewas of the Thames reserve behalf of First Nations as directed by Chiefs-in-Assembly. Thisin Ontario. includes facilitation and coordination of national and regional discussions and dialogue, advocacy efforts and campaigns,David Ahenakewlegal and policy analysis, communicating with governments,(born July 28, 1933; died March 12, 2010) was a Cree including facilitating relationship building between Firstmember of the Ahtahkakoop Indian ReserveNations and the Crown as well as public and private sectors andin Saskatchewan. the general public.Georges Erasmusis a member of the Dene Nation in theNorthwest Territories. A Declaration ofOvide MercrediFIRST NATIONSis a Cree from the Misipawistik Cree Nation in Manitoba.We the Original Peoples of this land know the CreatorMatthew Coon Comeput us here. is a member of the Mistissini Cree Nation inThe Creator gave us laws that govern all our relationshipsnorthern Quebec. to live in harmony with nature and mankind.The Laws of the Creator defined our rights and Phil Fontaineresponsibilities. is an Anicinabe from the Sagkeeng First Nationin Manitoba.The Creator gave us our spiritual beliefs, our languages, our culture, and a place on Mother Earth which providedShawn A-in-chut Atleous with all our needs. is a Hereditary Chief from the Ahousaht First Nation We have maintained our Freedom, our Languages, andin B.C. our Traditions from time immemorial.We continue to exercise the rights and fulfill the responsi- Perry Bellegarde (Current) bilities and obligations given to us by the Creator for theis from the Little Black Bear First Nation, Treaty 4 land upon which we were placed. Territory. He served as Chief of the Federation of The Creator has given us the right to govern ourselvesSaskatchewan Indian Nations and Saskatchewan Regional and the right to self-determination. Chief for the Assembly of First Nations. He has also served as the Tribal Chair of the Touchwood-File Hills-QuAppelle The rights and responsibilities given to us by the CreatorTribal Council, and Councillor and Chief of Little Black cannot be altered or taken away by any other Nation. Bear First Nation. Perry Bellegarde was named AFN National Chief on December 10, 2014.20 The Circle Winter Issue 1 2019'