October 30, 2025
BCAFN 22nd Annual General Meeting Highlights the Importance of Maintaining Relationships for Reconciliation
(Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) /Vancouver, B.C.) – The BC Assembly of First Nations (BCAFN) held their 22nd Annual General Meeting from October 28 to 30 at the Musqueam Community Centre. Chiefs-in-Assembly met to review annual reports and hear important updates from BCAFN staff, board members, and others working to advance the rights, title, and interests of First Nations in BC.
“The BCAFN continues to advocate for First Nations rights, title, and interests in BC, and we have seen chiefs come together to make our voices heard at our Annual General Meeting this year,” said BCAFN Regional Chief Terry Teegee. “We heard loud and clear from Chiefs that provincial and federal fast-tracking legislation represents a major step backwards in our relationship with the Crown, and has failed to respect our right to free, prior, and informed consent as called for by provincial and federal Declaration legislation.”
Chiefs heard from Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse-Nepinak on the importance of justice reform in the face of the federal government’s bail reform bill, pushing back against the over-policing of First Nations people and the importance of First Nations decision-making in all areas of the justice system.
25 resolutions were passed by Chiefs in Assembly, including a call to repeal both federal and provincial fast-track legislation. Bills 14 and 15 in BC, and Bill C-5 federally were passed without adequate engagement with First Nations, and without the free, prior, and informed consent of First Nations. Chiefs also called for significant increases in investment for First Nations-led action to protect ecosystems, watersheds, and against climate change impacts.
First Nations are the most vulnerable to environmental degradation and climate impacts, and yet remain consistently underfunded by governments. Finally, in order to address the long history of the theft of First Nations lands, Chiefs called for sustainable funding for specific claims research, which is being threatened by budget cuts from the federal government.
Chiefs also honoured outgoing BCAFN Knowledge Keeper Chief Dr. Robert Joseph with a traditional Musqueam blanketing ceremony and celebrated 18 recipients of King Charles III Coronation Medals.
• Terry Teegee
• Keith Matthew
• Fred Robbins
• Edward John
• Harley Chingee
• Jody Wilson-Raybould
• Elaine Moore
• Gwen Point
• Robert Joseph
• Jerry Jack
• Byron Louis
• Helen Henderson
• Jacob Nyce
• Maureen Luggi
• Frank Antoine
• Tracey Herbert
• Bill Wilson
Chiefs were able to hear from and raise concerns directly to a number of provincial and federal ministers, including Rebecca Alty, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Canada, Wendy Gull Masty, Minister of Indigenous Services Canada, and Spencer Chandra Herbert, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation BC, and Minister Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth.
Orene Askew was re-elected to the position of BCAFN 2SLGBTQQIA+ representative. The BCAFN thanks Wilf Junior Plasway for also running in the election. The BCAFN also unveiled and adopted the BCAFN 2SLGBTQQIA+ flag celebrating the historic and traditional gender diversity of First Nations peoples.
The BCAFN 2024-2025 Annual Report can be viewed here.
***
For further information, contact:
Annette Schroeter, Communications Officer, phone (778) 281-1655.