b'CHARTER RENEWALand functions of the various organs or arms of the AFN, including the Secretariat, the Confederacy of Nations, the Executive Committee, the National Chief, and the Elders, Women and Youth Councils.As a guiding document that directs and formally structures the way the AFN conducts business, it is important to ensure that the provisions are updated, so that they are relevant and effective today while also anticipating needs in the future. As First Nations work towards their own goals of Nation rebuilding, its important that the AFNs Charter is updated to make space for changes in the way First Nations govern themselves and their citizens. Where First Nations have entered Self-Government Agreements, modern treaty agreements, or asserted their own traditional form of governance within their Nation (without entering an agreement with Canada or their Province), their definitions for leadership and their relationship with Government(s) have also changed. The Charter must be amended to ensure that those First Nations, who choose to do so, can maintain a formal place within the AFN while asserting their rightsToday we are witnessing a shift away under their respective Nation-buildingfrom colonial governance structures AFNS BEGINNINGprocesses. The AFN should be expectedestablished by the Indian Act and to continue to advocate on behalf of allimposed upon our Nations by Canada, AND THE CALLFirst Nations who choose to be members,the Provinces and Territories. There FOR A RENEWEDsupporting all First Nations on their pathis a great interest and determination to Nation rebuilding. by leadership across Canada to break CHARTER free from the colonial restraints Membership as defined within theand revitalize their own Nations The Assembly of First Nations wasAFNs Charter must be a clear and openhistorical, traditional governance established in 1983 in Penticton,definition in order to ensure that the organization is conducting business in ansystems that have existed for British Columbia by a group of Firstinclusive manner that respects Nationthousands of years. These ways of Nations leaders who saw the needrebuilding. The original purpose of thegoverning have not been lost and are to have a national body that couldfinding their way back to the surface advocate on behalf of First NationsAFN was to work collectively, as Chiefs across Canada on issues of collective(leaders) of First Nations across Canada,within Nations as an awakening importance. The AFNs Charteron matters of common concern. Thisacross the lands. Governance for each was adopted in 1985 at an Annualremains the purpose of the AFN, butNation may be different due to their General Assembly in Vancouver.the way First Nations choose to governtraditions, culture and Indigenous The Charter was last updated withthemselves has changed. Membershiplaws, but there are many common consolidated amendments in 2003. at the AFN has been defined as Firstfeatures that are emerging as Nations Through a 2017 resolution byNations; however, within the Charterrevitalize their governance. The AFN the First Nations-in-Assembly,there is no definition of First Nations.Charter must adapt to allow a flexible the AFN was directed to consultIn practice, it has been assumed thatand responsive membership criteria to with First Nations about thea First Nation is a Band as establishedform the First Nations-in-Assembly. organizations structure under theunder the Indian Act. However, thisWith a renewed Charter, amended Charter, and develop a reportinterpretation is not inclusive, nor is itwith input from First Nations leaders and recommendations from thatrespectful of those Indigenous groupsand citizens, the AFN can continue consultation that would includethat are asserting their rights in ato be a national advocacy body, and viable Charter amendments fortraditional manner or redefining theirbe a forum where Nations meet to discussion and consideration at aidentity outside the Indian Act throughstrategize, find common aims and future assembly of the AFN. agreements with the Crown or throughsupport one another to advance their their inherent rights assertion. Nations path.www.afn.ca 57'