AFN wants to distance itself from federal government

At the 2010 Assembly of First Nations General Assembly, National Chief Shawn Atleo announced his plans to achieve the ambitious goals of Canada’s First Nations.
Priorities include independence from the federal government and the empowerment of First Nations to become sovereign people, said Atleo in his opening address in July.

As the one-year mark of Atleo being elected as national chief passed, he committed to leading First Nations out from under the Indian Act within five years.  He also vowed to gradually cut ties from the federal government and lobby for funds from corporations.

“I am not in this role to just protect the status quo,” stressed Atleo, who admitted his goals are ambitious, but far from impossible.

“It is indeed our time to act,” said Atleo to the assembly of 2,000 chiefs and observers in attendance.  “We must find the confidence and commitment to take action.”