WINNIPEG — The Assembly of First Nations' annual general assembly kicked off Wednesday with a strong message to government and industry that the countrywide push for major projects won't happen without First Nations at the table.
"We can all agree on this: that progress cannot come at the cost of our rights, our treaties or our responsibilities to the land," Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Grand Chief Kyra Wilson told those gathered in Winnipeg.
“Anything that we do in this country will not be at the expense of our lands, our waters and our resources. For generations, decisions have been made without us, while the impacts fall on our nations and our families.”
The assembly is expected to focus heavily on the federal government's major projects legislation, as it's the first time all chiefs will be gathered since the bill passed in June.
The law allows the federal cabinet to fast-track major projects deemed to be in the national interest by sidestepping existing laws and environmental protections.
It has seen strong opposition from some First Nations leaders and community members who fear it will infringe on their inherent Treaty rights.
Prime Minister Mark Carney held summits with First Nations, Inuit and Métis leadership about the bill. First Nations chiefs left the July meetings with mixed opinions on the way forward.
AFN National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak has said the assembly this week would hear diverse opinions, including from First Nations leaders who are in support, who are reluctant and some who lack information.
One draft resolution calls for First Nations infrastructure ventures to be included in the national push for projects.
The assembly recently put forth a pre-budget submission to the federal government recommending $800 million over the next two years to support a First Nations review of national interest projects.
Other topics expected during the three-day assembly include child welfare reform, repatriation of artifacts from around the world, policing, the toxic drug crisis and closing the First Nations infrastructure gap.
Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Rebecca Alty and Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew were both set to address the assembly Wednesday.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 3, 2025.
— With files from Alessia Passafiume in Ottawa
Brittany Hobson, The Canadian Press
