Phil Fontaine's statement on ending his time as national chief

Phil Fontaine, national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, announced yesterday (June 4), that he would not seek reelection at the end of his term. Fontaine issued the following statement:

Being the National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations is the best job that I have ever had. I am very thankful for all of the support, direction and encouragement so generously given to me by First Nations leaders, Elders and all of our people during the course of my three terms in office.

I am very proud of the many accomplishments that our people have achieved since I first took office as National Chief in 1997. Whether it was the Statement of Reconciliation, the Kelowna Accord, the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement, the National Days of Action or the June 11, 2008 Apology to Survivors of Indian Residential Schools, we have been able to achieve all of these victories by working together in common cause for the betterment of all First Nations and all Canadians.

In this post-Apology era of reconciliation, with the support and assistance of all Canadians, we must reaffirm our commitment to making the correct decisions and taking corresponding actions to achieve a real and lasting reconciliation. We must increase our efforts to eliminate First Nations poverty and ensure fairness and justice for the First Peoples of this land. Reconciliation means there will be an end to First Nations poverty and the discriminatory funding policies and practices of the federal government towards First Nations governments, communities and citizens.

Achieving true reconciliation in Canada also means that the federal government will make good on the promise made in the Apology to First Nations last June that it will no longer pursue policies of assimilation by unilaterally imposing its will on our people. First Nations must be able to implement the true spirit and intent of our Treaties with the Crown, give life to our Aboriginal rights and title and replace the Indian Act regime with true self-government.

As National Chief, I have made every effort to bring people together, to open lines of communication, and to create meaningful dialogue and engagement. I negotiated win-win solutions to complex issues and, when it was necessary, stood with our allies and fought for what was right. All along the way, Canadians from all walks of life and of every political stripe have stood with us shoulder to shoulder in our efforts to achieve justice and reconciliation. I want to thank each and every Canadian for that support and I ask you to continue to support the efforts of First Nations. Only with your ongoing support will we be able to realize our goal of ending poverty for First Nations and creating a more compassionate, tolerant and just society in Canada for First Nations and all Canadians.

Today is not the time to say goodbye. I will serve my term as National Chief until the election begins on July 22nd at our Annual General Assembly in Calgary, Alberta. During that time – and beyond it as well – I will continue to advocate and work with First Nations and all Canadians to bring about reconciliation and respect for our peoples. This has been my life’s work and I will continue to serve my people.