Assembly of First Nations

The Assembly of First Nations (English: Assembly of First Nations, AFN; French: Assemblée des Premieres Nations, APN) is an organization of Indian peoples in Canada. The objectives of the organization are to safeguard the rights, terms and requirements of more than 600 First Nations. It was founded in 1982 as the successor organization since 1968, the National Indian Brotherhood.

The leaders of the First Nations meet once a year to determine the policies in resolutions. This meeting, in addition to the political also a strong cultural significance for First Nations.

The National Chief ( leader of the Nations ) is elected every three years. By 2009, it was Phil Fontaine, he was succeeded Shawn Atleo. The structure of the organization in 1985, laid down in the Charter of the Assembly of First Nations. The main organs are the General Assembly ( First Nations -in- Assembly), the Confederacy ( the Confederacy of Nations ), the Executive Committee ( Executive Committee ), the Secretariat ( Secretariat ) and the Council of Elders (Council of Elders ).

In addition to the Assembly of First Nations, there are two other organizations that represent the interests of indigenous peoples at the national level, the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami for the Inuit and the Métis National Council for the Métis.

List of National Chiefs