Congress of Aboriginal Peoples National Chief Betty Ann Lavallée announces resignation

Congress of Aboriginal Peoples (CAP) National Chief Betty Ann Lavallée has announced her intention to resign.

After seven years at the helm of the Aboriginal advocacy organization, National Chief Lavallée leaves CAP well-prepared to take advantage of coming opportunities, having fully addressed the challenges she inherited.

“I’m very comfortable with our financial and administrative foundation as an organization and feel that we are fully ready for what the future brings” said the National Chief.  “We are anticipating the Supreme Court of Canada’s decision on the Daniels case in the coming months – which finally will bring recognition to all Métis and non-status people across Canada – and I feel it is the right time for new leadership to take on the challenge of pursuing the implementation of that decision” she added.

In explaining her decision to resign, the National Chief cited the need to spend time with her family and concern over the health of her parents and husband in New Brunswick.  “A person gives up a lot to serve in this kind of position and I have been happy to do it, in fact it has been a great privilege, but there comes a time to focus on family.”

The National Chief will continue to serve in the role pending an election to be held at the organization’s next Annual General Assembly in September of this year.

Since 1971, the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples has been the national representative organization advocating for the rights and interests of off-reserve non-Status and Status Indians, the Southern Inuit of Labrador and Métis Peoples.