Photos from the 2014 AFN Special Assembly and Election

Elder Elmer Courchene presents the Eagle feather
to National Chief-elect Perry Bellegarde. (Photo: Shari Narine)

Elder Elmer Courchene administered the oath of
office to National Chief-elect Perry Bellegarde. (Photo: Shari Narine)

(From left) Manitoba Keewatinowi
Okimakanak Grand Chief David Harper and Assembly
of Manitoba Chiefs Grand Chief Derek Nepinak presented
a blanket to Perry Bellegarde as a symbol to “uphold the highest office of the
National Chief.” (Photo: Shari Narine)

National Chief Perry Bellegarde was presented
with a talking stick that he was asked to carry with him whenever he talked
about the issue of missing and murdered Aboriginal women and girls. (Photo:
Shari Narine)

Treaty 7 Northern Dene drummers surrounded
National Chief Perry Bellegarde and performed an honour song. (Photo: Shari
Narine)

Tsilhqot'in First Nation Chief Roger William, who
seconded Perry Bellegarde’s nomination, performed a song. (Photo: Shari Narine)

Ghislain Picard placed a distant second with 136
votes. Said Picard, “As Perry says, 
it is now time to close the circle, work in unity and take on the challenges
facing us for the best interest of the people we serve across the country.” (Photo:
Shari Narine)

Leon Jourdain garnered only 35 votes. Jourdain
slammed Chiefs for remaining with the status quo and said, “This decision will
come and haunt us all.” (Photo: Shari Narine)

Supporters of AFN interim National Chief
Ghislain Picard wore blue scarfs. They were disappointed in the quick outcome.
(Photo: Shari Narine)

Rinelle Harper (second
from left) stands with her family as she is recognized for her courage
following her brutal attack in November in Winnipeg. Harper asked “everybody
here to remember a few simple words: love, kindness, respect and forgiveness”
when she spoke briefly at the opening ceremony of the Assembly of First Nations
Special Chiefs Assembly on Dec. 9. (Photo: Shari Narine)

Justice Murray Sinclair,
chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, with commissioners Marie
Wilson and Wilton Littlechild, gives an overview of what can be expected when
the TRC files its final report in 2015. (Photo: Shari Narine)

Cindy Blackstock, executive director of the First Nations
Child and Family Caring Society of Canada, tells a room full of Chiefs that she
expects to win the case brought to the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal against
the federal government, accusing Ottawa of underfunding children’s services on
reserve. The decision is expected to come down by April. (Photo: Shari Narine)