Coast Salish Territory/Vancouver ‐ The First Nations Summit today congratulated Chief Shawn Ainchut Atleo on his election as National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations. Chief Atleo is a Hereditary Chief from the Ahousaht First Nation, and served two terms as the BC Regional Chief of the AFN since 2003.

“We are very pleased for Chief Atleo, and we are especially pleased for First Nations across this country,” said Grand Chief Ed John, member of the First Nations Summit Political Executive. “A inchut understands national issues that impact the lives of our people, and he is committed to advocating for the changes we need to see in our communities.”

Chief Atleo’s concerns around Canada’s recent refusal to support the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples are shared by the First Nations Summit, and we feel that his dedication to the rights of Aboriginal people around the world is an invaluable quality in the leader of the AFN.