By Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Alberta Native News Chief Joey Pete has announced he will not attend the First Nations–First Ministers Meeting scheduled for October 26 in Ottawa, citing concerns about the federal government’s legislative agenda, the role of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN), and the exclusion of sovereign Treaty Nations from decisions affecting their rights and territories. In a statement released October 25, Pete said he had chosen to remain with his Nation rather than participate in a meeting he believes could legitimize federal government decisions and processes that may affect constitutionally protected Treaty and inherent rights. “I made the deliberate decision to stay home with my people rather than attend a meeting that is not ours, that we did not organize, and where the federal government and…
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