Assembly of First Nations

55 Metcalfe Street, Suite 1600

Ottawa, Ontario K1 P 61- 5

Telephone: 613- 241- 6789 Fax: 613- 241- 5808

www. afn. ca

O'HS . AtiSEfIB, y

A9

p

I I

ANNUAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY

July 23, 24 & 25, 2019, FREDERICTON, NB

TITLE:

SUBJECT:

MOVED BY:

SECONDED BY:

DECISION:

WHEREAS:

Assemblee des Premieres Nations

55, rue Metcalfe, Suite 1600

Ottawa ( Ontario) K1 P 61- 5

T6I6phone: 613- 241- 6789 Te1ecopieur: 613- 241- 5808www. afn. ca

Resolution no. 6812019

Establishing Support and Industry Platform for First Nations Food Security, Sovereignty and Economic Development

Economic Development, Agriculture, Treaties, Health

Chief Alvin Francis, Nekaneet First Nation, SK

Chief Melvin Hardy, Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek ( Rocky Bay), ON

Carried by Consensus

A. The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples ( UN Declaration) states:

Article 29 ( 1): Indigenous peoples have the right to the conservation and protection of the environmentand the productive capacity of their lands or territories and resources, States shall establish andimplement assistance programs for indigenous peoples for such conservation and protection, withoutdiscrimination.

ii. Article 26 ( 2): Indigenous peoples have the right to own, use, develop and control the lands, territoriesand resources that they possess by reason of traditional ownership or other traditional occupation oruse, as well as those which they have otherwise acquired.

iii. Article 36 ( 1): Indigenous peoples, in particular those divided by international borders, have the right tomaintain and develop contacts, relations and cooperation, including activities for spiritual, cultural, political, economic and social purposes, with their own members as well as other peoples acrossborders.

B. The universality, inalienability, indivisibility, interdependence and interrelatedness of all human rights shouldinform any human rights analysis. This includes Indigenous Peoples right to access and use food resources ina way that supports their sovereignty and security.

Certified copy of a resolution adopted on the 25th day of July 2019 in Fredericton, New Brunswick

aPERRY BELLEGARDE, NATIOKAL CHIEF 68 — 2019

Page 1 of 3

Head Office/ Si6ge Social

Unit 5 — 167 Akwesasne International Rd., Akwesasne, ON K6H 5197 Telephone: 613- 932-0410 Fax: 613- 932-0415Suite no 5 — 167, chemin Akwesasne International, Akwesasne ( ON) K6H 5R7 Telephone: 613- 932- 0410 T6I6copieur: 613- 932- 0415

ANNUAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY

July 23, 24 & 25, 2019, FREDERICTON, NB Resolution no. 68/ 2019

C. First Nations hold Aboriginal Title and Rights that are recognized and affirmed in Section 35 of the ConstitutionAct, 1982.

D. The long- term health of First Nations communities and individuals, including spiritual, economic, cultural andpolitical, relies upon their ability to secure their food sovereignty through, but not limited to, exercising theircontrol over the harvesting and trade of food resources.

E. First Nations are experiencing the effects of the climate crisis on their territories at extreme rates compared tomainstream society which, directly impacts their food security and sovereignty.

F. First Nations regard themselves as ' keepers of the land', with the responsibility to safeguard the livelihood, security, cultural identity, territorial integrity and biodiversity protection for seven generations.

G. Traditionally, First Nations across the country hunted and gathered plants for food and medicinal purposes. Each First Nations' diet depended on what was available in their natural local environment.

H. The Indigenous Peoples food sovereignty movement is a movement to re- establish pre -contact foods, withrelated protocols.

I. Support from the Government of Canada for economic activities related to the First Nations food economycontinues to increase economic development activity on First Nations traditional territories.

J. The growth of tourism and a global conscious traveller is increasing the number of visitors, businesses andrepresentative business associations that experience and consume First Nations foods.

K. Trade in First Nations food products represents a unique opportunity to create economic benefits forbusinesses, communities and First Nations governments.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Chiefs - in -Assembly:

1. Direct the Assembly of First Nations ( AFN) to:

advocate for the development of funding and other industry support programs for First Nations tomaintain and re- establish their food security and sovereignty; and

promote food -focused research to better understand the intersection of First Nations food security, sovereignty and sustainability.

Certified copy of a resolution adopted on the 25th day of July 2019 in Fredericton, New Brunswick

PERRY BELLEGARDE, NATIONAL CHIEF 68 — 2019

Page 2 of 3

ANNUAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY

July 23, 24 & 25, 2019, FREDERICTON, NB Resolution no. 68/ 2019

2. Seek the guidance of the Chiefs Committee on Economic Development to establish a First Nations FoodSecurity and Sovereignty working group to:

draft a framework and develop a position paper( s) outlining First Nations' positions; and

develop and advocate for First Nations -specific communication tools and workshops to raiseawareness,

3. Direct the AFN to investigate advocacy opportunities regarding food security and sovereignty according toUnited Nations ( UN) mechanisms relating to rights of Indigenous Peoples, including the UN Permanent Forumon Indigenous Issues, the UN Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the SpecialRapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Certified copy of a resolution adopted on the 25t" day of July 2019 in Fredericton, New Brunswick

PERRY BELLEGARDE, NATIONAL CHIEF 68 — 2019

Page 3 of 3