Prime Minister Stephen Harper has announced that a Crown-First Nations Gathering will take place on January 24th in the National Capital Region.
The announcement was made today following a meeting in Ottawa between the Prime Minister and Assembly of First Nations National Chief Shawn Atleo.
During the gathering, Harper and other federal officials will meet with Atleo and a delegation of First Nation Chiefs to discuss key priority areas.
The federal government says the Crown-First Nations Gathering will be “an opportunity for the Government and the First Nations to discuss and identify ways for Canada’s Aboriginal peoples to benefit from increased social and economic participation in Canadian society and improved living conditions in First Nations communities”.
The opening remarks and plenary closing sessions will be webcast, and interactive breakout sessions will allow First Nations leaders from across the country to participate in real-time using webinar technology.
Ottawa says the gathering will build on the Canada-First Nations Joint Action Plan that was agreed to by the federal government and the AFN in June.
According to a release from the Prime Minister’s Office, “both the Government of Canada and the Assembly of First Nations committed to advancing a constructive relationship based on the core principles of mutual understanding, respect, ensuring mutually acceptable outcomes and accountability”.