July 2026 · Ottawa

2026 AFN Annual General Assembly Proxy

Katisha attended the Assembly of First Nations 2026 Annual General Assembly, where First Nations leadership from across the country gathered in Ottawa.

We are endlessly inspired by our matriarchs, Aunty Leah D. George-Wilson, JD, Chief Shana Thomas MA, Kukpi7 Rhonda Phillips, Chief Councillor Judi Thomas, BCFNJC Chair Kory Wilson, Dr. Gwendolyn Point, Cheryl Rule, and MP Leah Gazan, who create a lived reality of our ancestors' visions of sovereignty. Just as inspiring were the six First Nations youth Ethan and Katisha brought to Ottawa who witnessed our leadership advocate for our peoples, lands, waters, and airs.
 
Thank you to the Algonquin Anishinabe Nation for welcoming us onto their territory for another Assembly of First Nations Annual General Assembly.
 
We were all honoured to sit alongside our BC Assembly of First Nations chiefs. During the AFN AGA, Katisha spoke against the fast tracking of major projects, including the pipeline and port announcements from Premier Eby, Premier Smith, and Prime Minister Carney, made without our free, prior, and informed consent.
 
The Pacific Link pipeline and other major projects have since been approved by the Major Projects Office this October, shovels hit the ground by 2027, benefiting foreign investors while harming First Nations' economy, lands, waters, and underwater relatives.
 
Katisha also spoke about the Final Settlement Agreement, the National Children's Chiefs Commission, and the Loving Justice National Plan. Our responsibility is to bring children home so matriarchs can return them to land and water without continued stalls on long term reform.
 
We were proud to see our BC Chiefs Caucus unify against major projects as Canadian ministers push a deceiving narrative falsely claiming First Nations' consultation. Katisha also met CIRNA Minister Rebecca Alty on major projects, the obligation to obtain FPIC, our worry over silent Indigenous Advisory Council appointees, and her goal for the independent DRIPA oversight mechanism to transition into a federal project for UNDA. She agreed and committed to co-hosting ongoing Indigenous youth meetings. With BCFNJC, we met Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree on diversion programs that have proven to save lives.
 
On the final day, BCAFN Youth Representative Peyal Laceese, UBCIC Youth Representative Sunshine Dunstan Moore, Katisha’s partner Ethan Clark reflected on their roles as young leaders, resolving to pursue whole systems change and keep our ancestors' fire lit to protect our environment, cultures, laws, and relatives.
 
We raise our hands to UBCIC for sponsoring this journey and creating a safe space for me as your Women's Representative, carrying the Union's spirit forward at these gatherings. We also thank Chief Dean Nelson for trusting Katisha with proxy, allowing her voice to reach chiefs and leadership nationwide.

Date
July 14–16, 2026

Location
Rogers Centre Ottawa, Ottawa, ON

Role
Proxy

Partners
We raise our hands to UBCIC for sponsoring this journey and creating a safe space for me as your Women's Representative, carrying the Union's spirit forward at these gatherings. We also thank Chief Dean Nelson for trusting Katisha with proxy, allowing her voice to reach chiefs and leadership nationwide.