Media Advisory: Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Jan. 22, 2012) - Please be advised that the Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada, the Honourable John Duncan, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development and other representatives of the Government of Canada will meet with Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo and a delegation of First Nations Chiefs to discuss key priority areas, such as: Strengthening the Crown-First Nation Relationship and Enabling Opportunity; Unlocking the Potential of First Nation Economies; and Realizing the Promise of First Nations Peoples.

Event: Crown-First Nations Gathering

Date: January 24, 2012

Location: 111 Sussex Drive Ottawa, ON

Time: Registration to begin at 7:00 AM.

Accreditation and Registration:

Entry is restricted to journalists accredited through the Canadian Parliamentary Press Gallery. For more information on accreditation, contact Terry Guillon, Chief of the Press Gallery, at 613-992-4511 or guillt@parl.gc.ca

Media representatives wishing to pick up their accreditation ahead of time will be able to do so at the Canadian Parliamentary Press Gallery office, located at 150 Wellington St., Ottawa, Ontario. The accreditations will be distributed in the 6th Floor Boardroom of the Press Gallery. A valid photo ID will be required in order to obtain your pass. The hours of operation will be as follows:

Monday, January 23, 2012 9:00AM to 5:00PM

Please note that on the day of the event, media accreditations will also be available for pick-up on site.

Media Opportunities:

For planning purposes - Subject to change

7:00 AM Registration and Set-up. Entrance for media through side doors and media equipment through the back entrance

8:30 AM Arrivals of VIPs

9:00 - 10:30 AM Opening Ceremonies including Keynote Address

10:50 AM - 11:30 AM Speeches

3:50 PM Closing Ceremony and Remarks

4:15 PM Closing prayer

Also available online: Agenda: Crown - First Nations Gathering - "Strengthening Our Relationship - Unlocking Our Economic Potential"

(i)Also attached

Government of Canada Progress Report (2006 - 2012)



Crown - First Nations Gathering
"Strengthening Our Relationship - Unlocking Our Economic Potential"

AGENDA
January 24, 2012
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7:00 a.m. Registration Opens at the Sussex Tower Entrance

8:00 a.m. Registration Closes

8:15 a.m. All participants are seated in Victoria Hall to watch arrivals
on screen

8:55 a.m. Pre-Ceremony Begins

9:00 a.m. Opening Ceremonies
Grand Entry Procession, Honour Song, Singing of O Canada,
Smudging Ceremony and Opening Prayer, Exchange of Gifts and
Prayer Chant

9:45 a.m. Opening Speeches
His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston Governor
General of Canada
Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada
National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo, Assembly of First
Nations

10:23 a.m. Break

10:43 a.m. Highlighting Achievements and Priorities

Government of Canada Progress Report

Unlocking the Potential of First Nation Economies

Strengthening the Relationship and Enabling Opportunity

Realizing the Promise of First Nations Peoples

11:30 p.m. Lunch

1:00 p.m. Private Concurrent Sessions (in camera, with interactive
virtual participation for delegates)

Session 1: Strengthening the Relationship and Enabling
Opportunity
--------------------------------------------------------------
This session will focus on:
- affirming and advancing the Treaty relationship
- emerging arrangements and partnerships
- moving beyond the Indian Act through enabling and supporting
First Nation governments e.g. land management
- improving claims negotiation and implementation

Session 2: Unlocking the Potential of First Nation Economies
--------------------------------------------------------------
This session will examine issues and opportunities related to:
- advancing common economic interests through respectful
partnerships and meaningful engagement
- enabling community development
- strengthening the capacity of First Nations women and men to
contribute as economic leaders
- good governance and accountability as a foundation for a
transformed fiscal relationship and economic success
- respectful participation in major projects and resource
development partnerships
- addressing the regulatory framework, e.g. ATR / land
designation

Session 3: Realizing the Promise of First Nations Peoples
--------------------------------------------------------------
This session will explore approaches to:
- focussing on the next generation: children, youth and
families
- improving education, skills, and training
- strengthening labour market participation, including for
women in all fields
- respecting the role of language and culture

3:00 p.m. Break

3:30 p.m. Plenary Session resumes
In camera report from moderator to delegates on the three
concurrent sessions

3:55 p.m. Closing Remarks
Government of Canada Representative (TBC)
Assembly of First Nations Representative (TBC)

4:16 p.m. Closing ceremony and prayer