(OTTAWA) - The Green Party of Canada congratulates newly elected National Chief for the Assembly of First Nations (AFN), Perry Bellegarde.
Chief Bellegarde was elected as the National Chief with 63% of the vote on the first ballot. He was previously the Chief of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations.
“I congratulate Chief Bellegarde on his election. The Assembly of First Nations is facing a serious challenge to its role in advancing First Nations' interests,” said Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada and Member of Parliament for Saanich – Gulf Islands. “He has a strong history of fighting for his community, including to ensure that that the contributions of First Nations veterans were recognized by all Canadians. He will need to listen and bridge the differences to ensure AFN has a strong future. "”
“At one of the most pivotal times in its relationship with the federal government, the AFN needs a leader that can ask the difficult questions,” said Bruce Hyer, Deputy Leader of the Green Party of Canada and Member of Parliament for Thunder Bay – Superior North. “I congratulate Chief Perry Bellegarde on his victory.”
"Canada's First Nations are facing crucial challenges, including a lack of respect for their rights and the stress that resource extraction projects can pose on a community,” said Daniel Green, Deputy Leader of the Green Party of Canada "I congratulate Chief Bellegarde and offer him my support in protecting the environment on First Nations’ territory."
“The Assembly of First Nations is an important institution that represents the positions of various First Nation Chiefs. The AFN has been through many changes over the decades and it continues to transform and evolve. I congratulate the new National Chief, Perry Bellegarde and wish him success in his role at the helm of AFN and I look forward to helping him in anyway that we can,” said Lorraine Rekmans, Indigenous Affairs Critic for the Green Party of Canada
Greens look forward to working with the new Chief of the AFN and all First Nation leaders.
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For additional information or to arrange an interview, contact:
Julian Morelli
Director of Communications
Green Party of Canada
cell: (613) 614 4916
office: (613) 562 4916 (224)
julian.morelli@greenparty.ca