London, Ontario July 8th, 2021 – The Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians is pleased to extend it’s congratulations to the first female Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Roseanne Archibald. Roseanne was elected to office on July 8th and ran against Reginald Bellerose, Jodi Calahoo-Stonehouse, Lee Crowchild, Alvin Fiddler, Kevin T. Hart, and Cathy Martin.
Grand Chief Joel Abram states “I look forward to working with National Chief Archibald and I recognize the challenging work that lies ahead for her. It is a historic day to have Roseanne elected as the first female National Chief and she is well deserving of this position. The Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians wishes her the best in her new position and hopes that she can fulfill the changes needed within the AFN to help realize a true Nation to Nation relationship between Canada and the Indigenous Nations that have preceded it, and have occupied these lands since time immemorial. The AFN must be restored to its’ position as an advocate of the road to decolonization and steer away from assimilationist laws and policies”
Deputy Grand Chief Stacia Loft also extends her congratulations “We’re going through a time unlike any other, a historical moment, and I look forward to working with Chief Archibald to discuss, tackle and bring attention to issues that have long been a concern to our people. I feel that this is the moment for all of us to come together more than ever before when the land is in need of our help and so many are becoming aware of us”.
The National Chief is a three year term and was previously held by Perry Bellegarde. National Chief Roseanne Archibald previously served as the Ontario Regional Chief and comes from Taykwa Tagamou Nation.
