FACT SHEET #2
The True Meaning of the 2001 Halifax Resolution

1. At the 2001 General Assembly in Halifax the fiscal institutions group sought a mandate to develop draft federal legislation. INAC had advised the group that there might be a “window” for such legislation.

2. The resultant support resolution was invalid on its face as it was not supported by 60% of the Chiefs and proxies in attendance, as required by the AFN Charter. The conference chairperson ruled that the resolution would be tabled for legal review. Supporters of the invalid resolution reacted angrily and threatened, among other things, to impeach the chairperson.

3. For the sake of AFN unity, the two leading opponents of the resolution, Chief Philip Stewart of BC and Grand Chief Larry Sault of Ontario, agreed to waive the invalidity of the resolution in exchange for a commitment by the institutions group to submit any draft Bill to a future Assembly (General or Special). This solemn commitment was specifically given by the leaders of the institutions group. The commitment was confirmed in subsequent correspondence.

4. The institutions group stated that the FNFSMA Bill was not ready for review at the Kanahwake General Assembly of July 2002. The Bill was released by INAC in August of 2002. An informational workshop on the Bill was held in Squamish First Nation in September.

5. The institutions group has been reluctant to submit the Bill to a Chiefs Assembly, despite the solemn and binding commitment made in Halifax. At a meeting in Saskatoon on October 24, the AFN Executive finally decided to hold a Special Assembly on the FNFSMA on November 19 and 20 in Ottawa. Even then, procedural steps were taken in an apparent attempt to narrow the decision making authority of the Chiefs. Draft “Principles” suggest that the Chiefs may modify the Bill, but not reject it. These draft principles are inconsistent with the 2001 Halifax Resolution and the AFN Charter.