By Jeremy Appel Local Journalism Initiative Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith both attended a special chiefs assembly in Calgary from Oct. 16 to 18. In opening remarks on the assembly’s first day, Premier Smith said she had a “very meaningful and productive conversation” with Woodhouse Nepinak on Oct. 15. “We are united in our commitment to establish First Nations policing as an essential service in First Nations communities,” said Smith. On Oct. 21, Woodhouse Nepinak and Smith released a joint statement reaffirming their shared commitment to First Nations policing and calling on the federal government to provide more funding towards it. “We call on the federal government to move forward on their commitment to implement amendments to the First Nations and…