A Focused Plan

Building on the accomplishments of the past three years, Perry Bellegarde has a specific and achievable plan of action for the next three years. Momentum has been created through constant interaction with, and effective lobbying of governments in Canada. Perry Bellegarde is needed to maintain and build on that momentum.

An Indigenous Languages Act

An Indigenous Languages Act is being co-developed, as supported by the Chiefs-in-Assembly. Following federal engagement, the languages bill needs to be written and time is of the essence. The Act would enable First Nations language revitalization, reinforcing First Nations languages as fundamental to who we are as peoples.

Self-determination

Perry Bellegarde will continue to uphold the right of First Nations to define our own paths to self-determination – to decide our futures. He also will continue advocacy at the United Nations to achieve recognition of First Nations as peoples, with the same participatory rights as member states.

Closing the Gap

Closing the Gap must continue and, in fact, be ramped up. Substantial progress has been made, and more work is needed to provide essential human services to First Nations that are funded based on real needs. Building on the $1.4 Billion dedicated to child welfare, a First Nations – Federal – Provincial decision model is needed to effectively fix the system. While 9,000 homes were recently built on First Nations, funding for a minimum of 80,000 is needed. The number of drinking water advisories on First Nations must become zero. First Nations policing must be declared an essential service and properly funded. And First Nations health care needs to be fully funded with a focus on health and mental wellness. The priorities are many, but addressing them is achievable and it is crucial.

It’s all about relationships

Strong non-partisan relationships with all political parties, is vital to ensuring that First Nations priorities are national priorities regardless of which party forms the government. Perry Bellegarde, is an effective communicator. He is hard working. He remains committed to maintaining the strong working relationships with governments in Canada to keep First Nations priorities top of mind with Canadians. This is key to getting things done.

A new fiscal relationship with the Crown

Work must continue to further advance elements of a new fiscal relationship with the Crown. Perry Bellegarde has made the AFN a place where First Nations work together on common priorities. These include ensuring that all First Nations fully benefit from our lands and resource wealth and are treated as governments in fiscal matters. These are First Nations lands, first and foremost, and any use of these lands by other Canadians can only be on the condition that First Nations benefit thoroughly. Nothing short of that is satisfactory.