Assembly of First Nations National Chief Acknowledges International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples on August 9

OTTAWA, Aug. 8, 2014 /CNW/ - Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Ghislain Picard today acknowledged the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples that is observed each year on August 9.

"The International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples is a time to celebrate the strength, resilience and resurgence of Indigenous peoples and nations around the globe," said National Chief Picard.  "At the same time, it is an opportunity to reflect on this year's theme - 'Bridging the gap: implementing the rights of Indigenous peoples' - and the long-overdue and necessary work that we still must do here in Canada to give life to First Nations rights, Treaties and title.  This year marks the 250^th anniversary of the Treaty of Niagara between Indigenous Nations and Great Britain that reaffirmed our nation-to-nation relationship.  This relationship has existed for centuries but we must move now and work together to honour and implement the principles of that relationship.

The AFN will continue to press for full recognition of our rights here in Canada and we will continue to advocate at important international forums like the upcoming United Nations World Conference on Indigenous Peoples this September, at the UN Human Rights Council, the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, through the UN Special Rapporteur on Indigenous Rights and others.  The International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples is a reminder that it is time for action."

The International Day of the World's Indigenous People, August 9, was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in December 1994. The focus of this year's International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples is "Bridging the gap: implementing the rights of indigenous peoples".

The Assembly of First Nations is the national organization representing First Nations citizens in Canada. Follow AFN on Twitter @AFN_Comms and @AFN_Updates.

SOURCE: Assembly of First Nations

Don Kelly, AFN Communications Director, 613-241-6789 ext. 200; 613-292-2787 or [email protected]