 |
The Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador (French: Assemblée des Premières Nations Québec-Labrador, AFNQL) is a political organization representing the First Nations of Quebec and Labrador. It represents these First Nations to the Secrétariat aux affaires autochtones du Québec and to the ministry of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs of Canada. The AFNQL is composed of representatives from 43 communities in the Abenaki, Algonquin, Atikamekw, Cree, Maliseet, Mi'kmaq, Innu, Huron-Wendat and Naskapi nations, as well as from the Mohawks. The AFNQL does not represent the Inuit or any Inuit community; they are represented by Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami.[2]
The AFNQL is composed of the chiefs of the 43 First Nations communities in Quebec. The Assembly elects one member to serve as chief for a term of three years.[3]
The Assembly meets about 4 times a year to give mandates to its Bureau and to the Commissions it has set up. The AFNQL is attached to the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) whose office is located in Ottawa. The chief of the AFNQL is a member of the AFN executive and can be appointed as the bearer of national files (ex. international, education, health, finance, etc.).[3]
Currently the chief is Francis Verreault-Paul from the community of Mashteuiatsh who was elected with 21 votes in a single round of voting in February 2025.[1] Verreault-Paul is a former hockey player and played for the Chicoutimi Saguenéens in the QMJHL.[4] Prior to being elected chief he served as chief of staff to long-serving chief Ghislain Picard.[1]
Previously Ghislain Picard served as chief for 33 years from 1992-2025.[5]
From its founding in 1985 to 1992 the elected chief of the Assembly was Konrad Sioui.
There are 43 communities that are members of the AFNQL.[6][7]
Abenaki (Grand Council of the Waban-Aki Nation)
Mi'kmaq (Mi'gmawei Mawiomi Secretariat)
Atikamekw (Conseil de la Nation Atikamekw)
Cree (Grand Council of the Crees)
(Tribal Council of the Anishinabeg Algonquin Nation and Secretariat of the programs and services of the Algonquin nation)
This article has been partially translated from its French counterpart: Assemblée des Premières Nations du Québec et du Labrador.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)