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JULY 10, 2000

The Assembly of First Nations, Canada's largest Native organization, will hold elections for the office of chief, a $125,000 a year position in a $20 million organization.

Incumbent Phil Fontaine, Sagkeeng Anichinabe First Nation, faces challenges from Cree chief Matthew Coon Come of Quebec, Marilyn Buffalo, former president of the Native Women's Association of Canada, and Lawrence Martin, chief of the Mushkegowuk First Nation.

Many believe that the new leader will decide on the type of relationships First Nations will have with the federal government. Some see incumbent leader Fontaine as just an extension of the government's programs.

Canada's First Nations face a wide variety of problems, from treaty rights, to poor health care, to land claims, to poverty.

Get the Story:
Young natives press leaders for change (The Ottawa Citizen 7/9)
Vote this week decides who leads Canada's largest aboriginal organization (CP 7/9)

Relevant Links:
The Assembly of First Nations - www.afn.ca