Chief says assembly will tackle effect of major projects push on First Nations rights

OTTAWA — Major projects and a coming meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney and the premiers will be the main focus of the Assembly of First Nations annual general assembly this week, National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak said Monday.

The AFN gathering begins Tuesday and runs for three days.

Speaking alongside a handful of regional chiefs and First Nations representatives at a news conference, Woodhouse Nepinak blasted the federal government over its approach to major projects development and said it could threaten the rights of First Nations.

She said First Nations are not opposed to economic growth and are simply asking for a seat at the table as the federal government attempts to shore up the economy.

“First Nations are for economic growth that will drive Canada’s collective prosperity for the next century, but not at the expense of our rights or of the Crown’s legal obligations to our people,” Woodhouse Nepinak said.

Saskatchewan Regional Chief Bobby Cameron said every First Nation across the country should have the ability to benefit from major projects development through employment and revenue from ownership stakes.

“We don’t need to keep going to government with our hands out, begging for more housing dollars, education dollars, more policing dollars,” Cameron said.

“We don’t need that. The answers are right there in our backyards and our traditional territories.”

New Brunswick Regional Chief Joanna Bernard said First Nations want to invest in economic growth in a way that respects the earth and leaves the land intact for future generations.

She said she’s frustrated by claims that First Nations are holding back the economy.

“That is not true. Canada just has to come to the table and speak with us,” she said. “And we are here to listen, and they have to listen to us as well to ensure that we protect the earth and the future.”

Woodhouse Nepinak said chiefs will also discuss an upcoming first ministers meeting and what they want to see on the agenda.

She said Monday that first ministers meeting, set to be held this fall, will be “a big test” for the country and chiefs need to show up united.

The Assembly of First Nations is a national advocacy body that takes its direction from some 630 First Nations chiefs through special and annual general assemblies. It is not a rights-holding institution but it represents rights-holding chiefs.

Chiefs will be debating 53 separate resolutions during the three-day gathering. They include resolutions on the federal government’s major projects agenda, the state of First Nations child welfare, Indian Act status and calls for the Vatican to rescind a series of papal decrees.

Chiefs will also hear presentations on the newly introduced First Nations Clean Water Act, consultations on major projects development and child welfare reform.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 13, 2026.

Alessia Passafiume, The Canadian Press