FSIN’s David Pratt announces bid to become next AFN chief

FSIN Vice-Chief David Pratt has announced his campaign to become the next national chief of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN).

So far, Pratt is the first person in Canada to declare his intention to run for the position.

“I thought long and hard about my candidacy for national chief,” Pratt said at a news conference at Wanuskewin Heritage Park on Wednesday.

“I’ve seen and witnessed – like everyone else – the issues that we’ve been dealing with the last couple years, and the lack of leadership and the void that’s been there.”

Pratt noted one of his main objectives in his campaign will be to bring the power and voice back to Canada’s chiefs.

“I think we really need to do more in looking at the chiefs’ committees and the roles they play. Right now, they’re more of an advisory role. At FSIN, the commissions our chiefs sit on, they give the mandates and directions which go to (the Indian Governance Commission) and then into the assembly for vetting and approval,” he explained.

“Right now, the (AFN) chiefs’ committees are more of an advisory role. I think we need to look at giving the chiefs’ committees more power and teeth so that when they bring those recommendations forward, they actually come forward as a resolution,” Pratt added.

“I think that would go a long way to fix the governance at the AFN. If we do that, we give the chiefs a greater voice.”

He said he feels the directors and staff within the AFN have too much of a say right now.

When it comes to giving the chiefs more power, Pratt said he also wants to make sure they’re being heard by all levels of government.

If he becomes national chief, Pratt said he will make sure no decisions about First Nations rights happen without chiefs inside the room.

“I think we look at some examples here with the Sask. First Act. We aren’t demanding a place at the table; I think we’re just going to take a place at the table. We have to have a say over the resources that are being extracted from our lands,” Pratt stated.

The FSIN vice-chief said he’s also concerned about resource rights.

“We look at the ring of fire happening in Northern Ontario – resource companies trying to come in without talking to the First Nations and elders. That has to end,” Pratt said.

“Industry and government both have a role to play to ensure our chiefs have a seat at those tables when they’re talking about any resource extraction.”

Pratt said he will be running on a platform that includes unity and inclusion, reconciliation and rights, economic empowerment and environmental stewardship.

During his time with the FSIN, Pratt has served two terms as vice chief. In 2021, he was re-elected with 71 per cent of the vote.

With Pratt being the first to announce his candidacy, he said it’s time for him to get to work.

“I think I need to get out the door and start speaking to our chiefs as soon as possible, rather than later,” he stated.

The election for the AFN’s next national chief is scheduled for December, with all First Nations chiefs eligible to vote.