More News from the AGA - Working Towards Real Reconciliation

A busy day yesterday for the National Chief at the Assembly of First Nations Annual General Assembly in Quebec City.

The National Chief met with leaders of the Roman Catholic Church to help ensure the Roman Catholic Church participates fully in the upcoming Residential Schools Truth and Reconciliation Commission. As well, the National Chief is hopeful that there may eventually be an apology from Pope Benedict XVI himself. Pope Benedict XVI recently acknowledged Australia's apology to the Aborigines for past injustices.

The National Chief also attended the meeting with the Council of the Federation - the forum where all provincial premiers and territorial leaders meet. The National Chief, premiers and territorial leaders emerged with an important agreement to press the Prime Minister and Government of Canada to honour and implement the Kelowna Accord and to convene a full First Ministers Meeting on First Nations issues. The premiers and territorial leaders can be important allies in the call for a progressive agenda to move First Nations from poverty and prosperity.

Let us know what you think about these developments.

The AGA wraps up today, so stay tuned for further updates on the outcomes and next steps.

AFN Annual General Assembly in the News

The AFN's Annual General Assembly in Quebec City is generating a lot of media interest, in particular the National Chief's meeting today with the Council of the Federation (comprised of all provincial premiers and territorial leaders) and the push for Canada to endorse the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Stay tuned for more updates!

Remember that the Annual General Assembly can be viewed via webcast.

AFN Annual General Assembly Live on the Web!

The Assembly of First Nations Annual General Assembly is underway in Quebec City and can be viewed live on the web right here.

You can get the agenda here to see what's going on and when.

A Community Taking Control

Three months after the near-fatal shooting of a two yeard old girl, the author of "Young Thugs: Inside the Dangerous World of Canadian Street Gangs" checks in on Hobbema, Alberta and files an interesting story in the National Post.

Survival and Reconciliation

The apology.

And the response.

What did you think of the apology? What do you think of the response?

A Real and Meaningful Apology?

We are now moments away from the historic apology by the Prime Minister of Canada for the tragic legacy of the Indian Residential Schools, which will take place at 3 p.m. eastern time. Everyone will be able to view the apology live on most major networks (and the internet), including CBC.

This could be a defining moment of our time. Many groups and organizations are urging all Canadians to set aside what they are doing at that time and watch the apology. The eyes of Canadians and the world will be watching. As well, people around the country will be taking part in events to commemorate the occasion.

Will it be a real and meangingful apology? Most are optimistic based on what we've heard so far. National Chief Phil Fontaine has already setout what First Nations' are expecting by way of a sincere and respectful apology.

Is an apology important? Yes, absolutely. Is it the end of the process? Absolutely not. This is just one part - albeit an impotant one - of the comprehensive approach to reconciling the legacy of the residential schools. The Residential Schools Truth and Reconciliation Commission will begin its five-year inquiry process soon, and there will be other events aimed at community commemoration and remembrance.

But, if the apology is done properly and respectfully, this could be a pivotal event in our shared history in this land.

Watch, and let us know what you think. We'll have our response available following the apology.

National Day of Action 'Round the Nation

Here is a list of National Day of Action activities by region. This was current as of last night.

Check out the National Day of Action Facebook page (if you're a member) for updates as well.

Hope to see you in the crowd!