BCAFN Celebrates Successful Conclusion of 20th Annual General Meeting Today

(Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səl̓ilwətaʔɬ/sel̓ílwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.) — The BC Assembly of First Nations is celebrating the closing of their 20^th Annual General Meeting.

Regional Chief Terry Teegee was acclaimed for a third term, reciting the oath of office in the presence of Chiefs in Assembly and witnessed by BCAFN Knowledge Keeper Dr. Gwendolyn Point. This is a historic and unprecedented election for BCAFN, resulting in having a BC Regional Chief acclamation and being elected to a third term. This underscores the strength of vision and leadership of Regional Chief Teegee.

Ray Harris and Vanessa Campbell led a powerful blanketing ceremony to thank outgoing Board Members Deputy Chief Harlan Schilling and Harvey McLeod for their service to the BCAFN. Harvey McLeod is the former Chief of the Upper Nicola Indian Band and joined the BCAFN Board of Directors in 2016. During his time on the board, he lent his indispensable leadership experience and wisdom to the organization and to Regional Chief Teegee. Deputy Chief Shilling served one term on the Board of Directors and will continue to serve First Nations in the province by taking on the role of CEO at the BC First Nations Economic Development Centre of Excellence.

Three board terms were up for election, along with both youth representative positions. The BCAFN congratulates the elected and acclaimed board members and youth representatives:

Acclaimed Board Members:

• Chief Maureen Luggi, Wet’suwet’en First Nation
• Brian Assu, We Wai Kai First Nation
• Kukpi7 Rosanne Casimir, Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc

Acclaimed Male Youth Representative :

• Kyle Alec, Penticton Indian Band

Elected Female Youth Representative:

• Crystal Starr Lewis, Squamish Nation (Swxwú7mesh Úxwumixw)

We thank the inspiring women who put their names forward for Female Youth Representative: Brooklyn Rhayne Haizimsque and Taylor Behn-Tsakoza. We also thank Ms. Behn-Tsakoza for her three years of service as the BCAFN Female Youth Representative, including serving as co-chair of the AFN Youth Committee and representing First Nations youth during the First Nations delegation to the Vatican in 2022.

Chiefs in Assembly debated and passed 25 resolutions relating to equitable funding for First Nations language revitalization, Child welfare reform, support of gender-affirming healthcare, support of a Draft Tripartite Agreement on Nature Conservation, and other important issues.

The BCAFN welcomed distinguished guests BC Premier David Eby, BC Minister of Water, Land, and Resource Stewardship Nathan Cullen, Julie Dabrusin, Parliamentary Secretary, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Minister Harjit Sajjan, Kings Privy Council and Emergency Preparedness, Minister Patty Hajdu, Indigenous-Services Canada and Minister Gary Anandasangaree, Crown-Indigenous Relations to address the Chiefs in Assembly.

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For further information, contact: Annette Schroeter, Communications Officer. Phone: (778) 281-1655.

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