Appointment of Governor General
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NS• Ass6hlaLee Assembly of First Nations Assemblee des Premieres Nations 55 Metcalfe Street, Suite 1600 6 55, rue Metcalfe, Suite 1600 Ottawa ( Ontario) K1 P 61- 5 Ottawa, Ontario K1 P 61- 5 Telephone: 613- 241- 6789 Fax: 613- 241- 5808 a Telephone: 613- 241- 6789 Telecopieur: 613- 241- 5808 www. afn. ca www. afn. ca ANNUAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY July 23, 24 & 25, 2019, FREDERICTON, NB Resolution no. 66/ 2019 TITLE: Appointment of Governor General SUBJECT: Treaties, Crown — Indigenous Relations MOVED BY: Chief Alvin Francis, Nekaneet First Nation, SK SECONDED BY: Chief Melvin Hardy, Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek ( Rocky Bay), ON DECISION: Carried by Consensus WHEREAS: A. The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples states: L Article 5: Indigenous peoples have the right to maintain and strengthen their distinct political, legal, economic, social and cultural institutions, while retaining their right to participate fully, if they so choose, in the political, economic, social and cultural life of the State. ii. Article 37 ( 1): Indigenous peoples have the right to the recognition, observe and enforcement of treaties, agreements and other constructive arrangements concluded with States or their successors and to have States honour and respect such treaties, agreements and other constructive arrangements. iii. Article 37 (2): Nothing in this Declaration may be interpreted as diminishing or eliminating the rights of indigenous peoples contained in treaties, agreements and other constructive arrangements. B. In a historic ceremony, the Honourable Russell Mirasty was sworn in as the first First Nations citizen appointed Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan. C. Canada' s Governor General has responsibilities such as managing the Canadian honours system, representing Canada abroad, signing the letters of credence for outgoing Canadian diplomats, signing treaties and declarations of war, and granting Canadian Coats of Arms. Certified copy of a resolution adopted on the 25t" day of July 2019 in Fredericton, New Brunswick 66 — 2019 PERRY NATIONAL CHIEF Page 1 of 2 Head Office/ Sibge Social Unit 5 — 167 Akwesasne International Rd., Akwesasne, ON K6H 5R7 Telephone: 613- 932- 0410 Fax: 613- 932- 0415 Suite no 5 — 167, chemin Akwesasne International, Akwesasne (ON) K6H 5R7 T616phone: 613-932-0410 T616copieur: 613-932-0415 ANNUAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY July 23, 24 & 25, 2019, FREDERICTON, NB Resolution no. 66/ 2019 D. Appointed by the Queen on the advice of the Prime Minister, the Governor General usually holds office for a period of five years. E. The Right Honorable Julie Payette was appointed as the 29th Governor General on October 2, 2017. F. On June 21, 2017, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau declared that "No relationship is more important to Canada than the relationship with Indigenous Peoples." To date, no First Nations person has held the office of Governor General of Canada. G. The Governor General, as a representative of the Queen, represents the Crown in the Nation -to -Nation Treaty relationships with Inherent and Treaty Rights Holders. We urge that the role of Governor General be reinvigorated to support and elevate the Treaty relationship and ensure the full implementation of our Treaties. THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Chiefs -in -Assembly: 1. Call on the Prime Minister of Canada to recommend to the Queen that a First Nations citizen be appointed as the next Governor General of Canada, in the spirit of reconciliation. 2. Call on the Prime Minister of Canada to work directly with First Nations citizens to select qualified candidates and provide a jointly agreed upon recommendation to the Queen regarding the next Governor General of Canada. Certified copy of a resolution adopted on the 25th day of July 2019 in Fredericton, New Brunswick PERRY BELLEGARDE, NATIONAL CHIEF 66 — 2019 Page 2 of 2.