Chiefs' assembly renewal report summary leaked

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It's only the executive summary of what will surely be a much more detailed and lengthy report, but what is visible in the leaked eight-page sample of what's coming in the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Renewal Commission's report will intrigue all who follow First Nations politics.

The "final report" of the renewal commission is entitled, "A Treaty Among Ourselves." Dated Sept. 29, the report says the commission will table 47 recommendations and "a plan to implement" them when it reports to the chiefs at a special assembly planned for sometime in December.

After travelling the country since January of 2004 and holding consultation sessions in most large urban centres and several reserves, the commission, headed by former chiefs Wendy Grant John and Joe Miskokomon, reports it "held up a mirror" to the AFN.

'To the commission, the image in the mirror is clear. If First Nations fail, they do so individually, but if they succeed it will be because of a collective will," the report states.

That means, the commission concludes, "a national agenda is the vision the AFN needs to grab hold of to help create a national movement."

Saying it does not seek to lay blame for current shortcomings, the commission goes on to say that four main ideas came out of the consultation sessions.

"The AFN can become more relevant to the First Nations if it is: rooted in First Nation values, principles, customs and traditions; representative of First Nations and their citizens; responsive to their diverse circumstances, needs and priorities; and respected and effective in Confederation and internationally."

A number of dramatic changes are proposed to achieve those goals.

While the AFN will continue to be a chiefs' organization, the commission recommended that grassroots people should be allowed to vote for the national chief.

"This reform will forge a stronger connection between individual First Nation people, the leadership, and the AFN's decision-making bodies," the report states.

The commission also proposes the introduction of an oath of office, a code of conduct and a conflict of interest declaration by and for the national and regional AFN leaders and the creation of an AFN auditor general. The AFN auditor general would be able to monitor the AFN and all groups that rely on a resolution from the chiefs in assembly for their existence or funding. The auditor general would not, however, have the power to look into individual First Nation's affairs.

The commission pointedly drew attention to the practice of selectively following the AFN charter at chiefs' meetings, saying the organization should establish "a clear set of rules addressing procedural issues."

While not providing details on what would replace them, the commission recommended dissolving the April and December meetings of the assembly called the Confederacy of Nations.

The commission also noted that the issue of quorum is a matter that needs attention. On many occasions in recent years, assemblies ground to a halt when not enough delegates remained in the hall.

The solution proposed is that a simple majority of registered delegates must be present when the assembly begins in order to approve the agenda and begin work. After that, 50 per cent plus one of the delegates present will form a quorum for voting but at no time can that number be lower than 10 per cent (or just over 60) of the total membership of the AFN.