Chiefs table AFN reconciliation

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A resolution that the chiefs of Alberta will not rejoin the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) was eventually tabled at the second phase of the All-Chiefs conference held in Calgary on Oct. 7.

At the first phase of the conference, held in Enoch Sept. 29, 30 and Oct. 1, AFN national chief Georges Erasmus made a plea for the reunification of the Alberta chiefs and the AFN.

President of the Indian Association of Alberta Gregg Smith, later told Windspeaker that "we will have to settle a number of concerns in regard to rejoining the AFN." He explained he and the Alberta chiefs remain unconvinced that their concerns as treaty Indians will be appropriately addressed by the AFN.

Lou Desmarais, an IAA spokesperson, pointed out that past differences between the two groups have not been settled. "The AFN blocked attempts to get PTNA seats at the first minister conference." The AFN is still lacking when it comes to dealing with the concerns treaty Indians have with the constitution," he added.

But, at the Oct. 7 meeting the resolution against unification was floored and voted against. Several band representatives felt that reunification with the AFN would indicate to the government that Indians stand together for their rights and therefore, much more ground could be gained.

It was decided that discussions regarding AFN reunification should be reopened at the next all-chief's conference tentatively planned for Edmonton in late November.