Beaucage reaches out to urban First Nation citizens

John Beaucage, candidate for National Chief
News Release

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OTTAWA - First Nations citizens who live away from their communities and in urban centres will be given a significant say in A New AFN, says John Beaucage, candidate for National Chief.

If elected as National Chief, Beaucage plans to introduce a new Urban Citizens Commission into the committee structure of the AFN including a portfolio representative on the national executive.

"Our urban citizens need to have a stronger voice in a new AFN. They have unique needs and circumstances that are much different than those citizens who live on-reserve. We not only need to hear their voice, but be responsive to the needs of all First Nations people," said Beaucage who will speak tonight at an All-Candidates Forum on Urban First Nations Issues in Ottawa.

Beaucage challenged the legitimacy of the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples, a conservative-leaning group who purport to represent the interests of "off-reserve aboriginals".

"The Supreme Court, through the Corbiere decision, has rightfully re-affirmed all our citizens' right to vote for their Chief and community leadership," said Beaucage. "Their only legitimate voice and representatives are the Chiefs they vote for, and the AFN National Chief."

"We will truly represent our citizens and their interests wherever they choose to live," added Beaucage.

Beaucage also committed to further developing the relationship with the National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC), a network of 118 urban-based agencies across Canada. NAFC signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the AFN in 2006. According to Beaucage, the relationship with the Friendship Centres is about practicality and ensuring adequate services to all First Nation citizens.

"Most First Nation governments are unable to extend front-line services to their urban citizens. First Nations have a right to choose which agencies provide these essential services to our urban communities. Our provider of choice and partner in this are the Friendship Centres," said Beaucage.

As a part of his plan for A New AFN, Beaucage hopes to open up discussion on implementation of the AFN's Renewal Commission report, including the proposal to allow each and every First Nation citizen to vote for their national chief. According to Beaucage" "This is not about taking power away from the Chiefs, but to empower a new AFN to work on behalf of all our citizens no matter where they choose to live."

The plan for the one-citizen, one-vote can only be achieved through the support of the Chiefs-in-Assembly, and through broader development of a new Nationhood model and accountability structure for the National Chief.

"First Nations must work towards the restoration of our own model of nationhood made up of our true nations. In essence, moving away from 633 First Nations - from Aamjiwnaang to Zhiibhaasing - to governance based on the nearly 60 indigenous nations, from the Abenaki Nation to the Wendat Nation and all those in between," said Beaucage. "However, there will always be a Chiefs-in-Assembly and the National Chief will always take direction and be accountable to those Chiefs."

The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) is the national organization representing First Nations in Canada. There are over 630 First Nation communities in Canada. The elected Chiefs from each First Nation will cast their vote to elect the National Chief in Calgary, Alberta on July 22, 2009.

John Beaucage is a citizen of Wasauksing First Nation, and served as Grand Council Chief of the 42 member First Nations of the Anishinabek Nation in Ontario from 2004 to 2009.

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