Chiefs warn they’ll fight any assault on First Nations rights in major projects push

National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak delivers an address at the AFN 2026 Annual General Assembly, in Ottawa, on Tuesday, July 14, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

OTTAWA — First Nations chiefs say they’ll oppose any actions by federal and provincial governments to expedite major projects that would undermine their rights and environmental protections.

They passed two resolutions at the Assembly of First Nations annual general meeting in Ottawa on Wednesday confirming that stance and committing the AFN to opposing legislation or policies that dilute their rights or undermine their decision-making processes.

Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation Chief Veronica Smith said recent federal moves to speed up major infrastructure projects “have raised concerns among First Nations across Canada that efforts to expedite project approvals may undermine the meaningful implementation of free, prior and informed consent, treaty relationships, environmental stewardship responsibilities and nation-to-nation decision-making.”

Many First Nations have expressed concerns about Prime Minister Mark Carney’s major project agenda. Calls for a meeting between chiefs and first ministers got louder last year when the federal and provincial governments started discussing among themselves ways to fast-track major infrastructure projects.

In her opening remarks to the annual general meeting Tuesday, Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak said a planned meeting this fall between first ministers and chiefs from across the country was hard to secure and must not be the last of its kind.

Woodhouse Nepinak told chiefs the Prime Minister’s Office has confirmed the meeting will take place in October.

The Assembly of First Nations is a national advocacy body that takes its direction from some 630 First Nations chiefs through special and annual general assemblies.

This week’s assembly sees chiefs debate and vote on 53 resolutions on various topics, including the major projects agenda, the state of First Nations child welfare, status rules under the Indian Act and calls for the Vatican to rescind a series of papal decrees.

Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull-Masty is also expected to attend the gathering to talk about the federal housing and infrastructure strategy.

Alessia Passafiume, The Canadian Press