Chief and Council Spotlight for May 11-15

This week’s spotlight focuses on CAFN Council’s continued important work on both treaty negotiations and overall governance.

Chief and Council met with the Executive Committee of the Whole (ECW) – which includes CAFN Department Directors and the Executive Director – to prepare for Thursday’s Council meeting. These sessions help ensure that leadership and departments are aligned on priorities, ready to report on key files, and clear on the decisions that need to come forward to Council. It is one of the ways CAFN keeps our work organized, coordinated and focused on the direction given by Citizens.

One of the major topics in focus is the BC Treaty file. Following resolutions passed at General Assembly, CAFN has re engaged in the BC Claims process and returned to work with the BC Treaty Commission. Canada has committed to developing a three-party work plan that will support this work and CAFN’s related funding application. At the same time, British Columbia has said it is not supportive of CAFN returning to the table.

Despite this challenge, CAFN is moving ahead based on the mandate from Citizens. Chief and Council, together with advisors and staff, are developing a strategy for how to move forward with British Columbia, which will include negotiation, legal and lobbying plans. Once this strategy is further developed, it will be brought back to General Assembly along with a draft resolution, and a community committee will be created so Citizens can help guide this important work.

This week’s ECW and Council meetings are part of that ongoing effort to organize, plan and act on the direction given by CAFN Citizens on the BC Treaty and other key priorities.