Fontaine Won’t Seek Re-election
Thursday, June 04, 2009 at 14:51
Assembly of First Nations National Chief Phil Fontaine formally announced today that he has decided not to pursue another term.
Fontaine called his three terms as head of the AFN “the best job that I have ever had.”
He expressed appreciation for the direction and encouragement he has received from First Nations people across the country, and also noted his pride in the gains First Nations have made since he was first elected in 1997.
The Statement of Reconciliation, the Kelowna Accord, the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement, the National Days of Action and the June 11, 2008 formal apology by Prime Minister Stephen Harper to survivors of Indian residential schools all ranked high on his list of accomplishments.
“We have been able to achieve all of these victories by working together in common cause for the betterment of all First Nations and all Canadians,” Fontaine said.
He urged First Nations to “reaffirm our commitment to making the correct decisions and taking corresponding actions to achieve a real and lasting reconciliation,” and to “increase our efforts to eliminate First Nations poverty and ensure fairness and justice for the First Peoples of this land.”
“Only with your ongoing support will we be able to realize our goal of ending poverty for First Nations and creating a more compassionate, tolerant and just society in Canada for First Nations and all Canadians,” Fontaine added.
The election of a new national chief begins on July 22 at the AFN’s Annual General Assembly in Calgary.