National Chief Speaks to Critical Police Reforms at Meeting of Federal, Provincial and Territorial Ministers Responsible for Justice and Public Safety

(October 10, 2025 – Treaty 7 Territory, Kananaskis, Alberta) – National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak will provide opening remarks at the meeting of Federal, Provincial and Territorial Ministers Responsible for Justice and Public Safety and National Indigenous Leaders (IFPT). National Chief will speak to the overrepresentation of First Nations people across the justice system, as well as the need for immediate reforms to First Nations policing and resources to support the implementation of the First Nations Justice Strategy.

“We are in a crisis across the justice system, and too many First Nations people are dying during police encounters,” said National Chief Woodhouse Nepinak. “The Deputy Auditor General said in his recent Senate testimony that the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program has been sorely mismanaged for decades. Public Safety Canada is not working in partnership with First Nations and millions remain unspent that could be serving our communities. We need critical reforms to the FNIPP as well as legislation for policing as an essential service and affirmation over our inherent jurisdiction to protect the safety and security of our people.” First Nations have the solutions. What we need now is political will.”

Date: October 15, 2025

Time: 1:15 p.m. MDT

Location: Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge

1 Centennial Dr

Kananaskis Village

AB T0L 2H0

The National Chief will be available for media after her remarks conclude. To arrange an interview, please contact Cherish Francis, Press Secretary, through cfrancis@afn.ca or (343) 630-1372.

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The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) is a national advocacy organization that works to advance the collective aspirations of First Nations individuals and communities across Canada on matters of national or international nature and concern. Follow AFN on X at @AFN_Updates.

For more information, please contact:

Cherish Francis
Press Secretary
Office of the National Chief
(343) 630-1372 (mobile)
cfrancis@afn.ca

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