AFN national chief candidate calls for unity at Yukon meeting

One of five people running for national chief of the Assembly of First Nations asked Yukon chiefs meeting in Whitehorse this week for a show of national unity with other First Nations.

Shawn Atleo, currently the AFN's regional vice-chief in British Columbia, told delegates Tuesday at the Council of Yukon First Nations' general assembly that First Nations across Canada must pull together, like those in the Yukon did to settle their land claims.

Unlike most First Nations in Canada, the majority of the Yukon's First Nations have worked out land claim and self-government agreements with the federal government.

In fact, the Council of Yukon First Nations, a central political organization that lobbied for those land claims, was originally set up in 1973 by bringing together the Yukon Native Brotherhood, The Council of Yukon Indians and the Yukon Association of Non-Status Indians.

But some delegates on Tuesday pointed out that the AFN represents status Indians who live on reserves — a far cry from the Yukon's self-governing aboriginal communities.

Need to unite across Canada

Atleo told the assembly that to effect change on a national and international level, First Nations across Canada need to unite as well.

"We can no longer see or suggest that by working separately we can accomplish the broad dreams and aspirations that we share. And so as national chief, that's the expectation that I have going forward," he said Tuesday.

"It's resonating with the leaders across the country. They see good work is happening in our regions. We've been kept seperate by virtue of how governments have operated. As national chief, I want to change that status quo."

Atleo said First Nations have fallen victim to a "divide and conquer" strategy promoted by traditional government language. He said they must now ignore the labels governments have given them and decide their own priorities.

"As national chief, it would be my intention to work with the leadership here to do exactly that," he said.

The Council of Yukon First Nations assembly will hear from another AFN candidate, John Beaucage, on Thursday morning.

Members of the Assembly of First Nations will gather in Calgary July 21-23 to elect a new national chief to succeed Phil Fontaine.