'Unity': Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak sums up 2024

One-on-one with AFN Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak AFN Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak speaks about the issues faced by Indigenous Canadians in 2024 and looks ahead to their priorities in 2025.

The Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak’s first year as leader has been one of unity, she said in an interview with CTV News.

“Unifying, I think we’ve come together as First Nations. I see the AFN having unprecedented attendance at our assemblies.”

However, she has had to deal with many issues facing First Nations people across the country. It’s sometimes a difficult feat to get the 634 First Nations Chiefs to agree on pressing issues.

Child welfare

Recently, at a special Chief’s assembly in Calgary, Chiefs rejected a 47.8-billion-dollar payout for the lack of under-funding for First Nations children in care going back decades.

“I think one good thing about that though is there is $23 billion coming in 2025.” This money, she said, will be given out in March 2025 to the kids and families who have been wronged, calling the child welfare system, “broken.” She went on to say that this matter is still before the court.

Many First Nation citizens disagreed with Chiefs refusing this compensation that spent years in court.

The AFN is an advocacy organization that works to advance Treaty Rights. The National Chief is the main spokesperson at many different tables in Government.

Boil water advisory

Bill C-61 is currently in the House -- if passed, it would make it illegal for any First Nation communities to be under a boil water advisory. Currently, there are some 28 long-term and 31 short-term boil water advisories in First Nation communities across the country.

Though Canada is considered a developed country, some First Nation communities still live in under-developed conditions.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau ran on a mandate in the last federal election to end all boil water advisories in First Nation communities. He and his government have fallen short of that promise and have yet to fulfill that mandate.

“There’s Canadians, First Nations people without drinking water. Each and every one of them (parliamentarians) has a duty to get this done and get this done in a good way,” said Woodhouse Nepinak.

“We are focused on getting results for little children who don’t have drinking water… People’s lives are on the line… Bill C-61 shouldn’t be kept in limbo because of the political crisis in Ottawa. It needs to advance to the Senate.”

Nuclear waste storage

Nuclear waste storage is another pressing issue Woodhouse Nepinak is dealing with. Ontario wants to bury this highly toxic waste near, or on, First Nation land and traditional territories, and many Chiefs have not been consulted about this plan.

This could be detrimental to the health of the people, many of whom are opposed to this.

For example, the community at Grassy Narrows in Ontario is still having to deal with several health issues, such as cancer, after a pulp mill illegally dumped mercury into its water.

“They’re not easy issues to talk about, but I think that at the end of the day, people come together, and they come up with the best solution possible,” she said.

Despite all this, Woodhouse Nepinak is positive that the people she represents are on a good path of building healthy communities.

Language preservation

Language revitalization and preservation is one step closer to bringing the language back.

The aftereffects of residential schools are still a huge burden to First Nation people.

“Education got us into this mess with losing our language to begin with through the residential school system. Education will get us out,” Woodhouse Nepinak said.

What’s to come

Woodhouse Nepinak is the second woman to ever lead the organization. As 2025 is an election year that will most likely see a new government leading the country, she is already making connections and forming relationships with those who may be in power.

“I think any smart government knows they have to work with First Nations people. I’ve met with the (Pierre) Poilievre’s, him and his wife,” she said.

“I want to continue on with that relationship and all other political parties to make sure First Nations priorities are not left to the sidelines.”