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Canada
Assembly of First Nations meets to elect leader


The Assembly of First Nations, Canada's largest inter-tribal organization, is holding its 27th annual meeting this week in Vancouver.

The big event is the election. Tribal leaders will vote for their national chief today.

Incumbent Phil Fontaine is seeking re-election. He cites accomplishments that include a $2 billion residential school abuse settlement and a $5 billion federal funding plan that has since been rejected by Canada's new ruling party.

Bill Wilson, a former vice chief of AFN from British Columbia, is running against Fontaine. He said Native people need to do more to help their people instead of seeking help from the government.

Get the Story:
First Nations set to elect national chief (CBC 7/11)
Chiefs here favour Fontaine (The Regina Leader-Post 7/12)
Break dependence, AFN aspirant asks (The Globe and Mail 7/12)

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

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