Treaty 8 Hosts 2nd National Gathering of the National Assembly of Remote Communities
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Posted by Shelby Percival
- Posted in BlogsNews
This week from February 21-23, Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta is hosting the second National Gathering of the National Assembly of Remote Communities (“NARC”) in Treaty 6 Territory (Edmonton, Alberta). This National Gathering will provide its attendees with an opportunity to learn about and contribute to the ongoing efforts of NARC and its mission to address the needs, interests, and circumstances of remote First Nation communities. The first National Gathering was held in Saskatoon in May and June 2022.
On Tuesday February 21st, a signing ceremony took place in which Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta formally joined NARC. NARC was created in late 2021 as a response to Nishnawbe Aski Nation’s (“NAN”) work around quantifying the costs associated with remoteness. NARC membership now includes Nishnawbe Aski Nation, the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations, Anisininew Okimawin Grand Council, Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta, and Dene Nation (Assembly of First Nations NWT).
Tomorrow, February 22nd, Co-Chair of NARC and NAN Deputy Grand Chief, Bobby Narcisse, will speak at the National Gathering about a national vision for the Band Representative role, building on discussions at the Band Rep Conference that NAN hosted in Winnipeg last month. Falconers LLP will also provide an update on the recent Supreme Court of Canada judgement upholding Bill C-92, as well as on NAN’s work on developing a Remoteness Quotient and how funding can be adjusted to account for remoteness.
Links and resources:
The NARC National Gathering can be joined virtually here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clYrRqaA8Vc
Agenda for National Gathering: https://bit.ly/narc2024agenda.
NAN’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NishnawbeAskiNation
NARC’s website: https://remotecommunities.ca/
Supreme Court of Canada Decision on Bill C-92: https://canlii.ca/t/k2qhn
