The National Congress of American Indians issued a statement in support of the Assembly of First Nations as Native leaders in Canada head into a meeting with Prime Minister Stephen Harper today.

NCAI said First Nations in Canada should be consulted on decisions affecting their interests. The statement cites Bill C-45 and Bill C-38, two "budget" bills that make substantive changes to the Indian Act and environmental laws.

“NCAI supports AFN and the rights of Canada’s First Nations to nation-to-nation consultation and calls on the Canadian Government to uphold the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, of which Canada and the United States have both adopted. As stated in the Declaration, and has been proven time and time again, consultations between indigenous peoples including tribal nations and the governments of North America, are essential to crafting a vision for a shared future,” said NCAI President Jefferson Keel.

The statement does not mention Idle No More, the movement that arose in response to the two controversial bills.

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NCAI Statement of Support for Assembly of First Nations (AFN) and the Rights of Canada’s First Nations to Consultation (NCAI 1/10)

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