How Is the Assembly of First Nations Governed and Who Directs Its Mandates?

The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) is directed by First Nations themselves. Mandates come from resolutions passed by First Nations-in-Assembly — elected Chiefs or their proxies from member First Nations — at the two Assemblies held each year. Day-to-day political leadership sits with an Executive Committee made up of an elected National Chief and Regional Chiefs from each province and territory, supported by five national councils. If you want to understand who sets AFN's direction, the answer runs from the Chiefs in Assembly at the top, through the Executive Committee, to the councils that advise it.

The mandate comes from the First Nations-in-Assembly

The AFN describes itself as a national advocacy organization that takes direction and fulfills mandates as directed by First Nations-in-Assembly through resolutions. That phrase — "First Nations-in-Assembly" — is the key to how the organization works.

• Two Assemblies a year. The AFN hosts two Assemblies annually. These are the points at which mandates and directives for the organization are established.
• Resolutions are the mechanism. Mandates are set through resolutions that are directed and supported by the First Nations in Assembly.
• Who votes. The Assembly is made up of elected Chiefs or proxies from member First Nations.

So the authority to act does not originate inside the AFN secretariat. It originates with the Chiefs who gather, debate, and pass resolutions.

The Executive Committee carries political leadership

In addition to the direction provided by the Chiefs of each member First Nation, the AFN is guided by an Executive Committee.

The National Chief is elected, and the Regional Chiefs represent each province and territory. This structure means both a national voice and regional representation sit on the same committee.

Five national councils advise the Executive Committee

Representatives from five national councils support and guide the decisions of the Executive Committee:

• Knowledge Keepers
• Youth
• Veterans
• 2SLGBTQQIA+
• Women

These are advisory bodies within the governance structure, not the source of mandates. Their function is to bring specific perspectives into Executive Committee decision-making.

What this means for the four main areas of work

The AFN's advocacy is organized around four areas, each of which traces back to mandates set by the Chiefs in Assembly:

• Rights & Justice — pursuing changes to legislative, policy, and common law principles in support of First Nations rights.
• Community Services — advocating for comprehensive social development services for over 600 First Nations communities.
• Environment & Lands — helping First Nations exercise rights to self-determination and jurisdiction over the environment.
• Economy & Infrastructure — advocating for improved economic policy, programs, services, incentives, economic relations, and increased revenue development.

Where members and observers can plug in

If you want to follow or participate in the governance process, the AFN's public events calendar is the practical entry point. Upcoming gatherings listed on the site include:

• First Nations-First Ministers' Meeting 2026 — Oct 26, 2026, in-person, Ottawa, ON.
• Special Chiefs Assembly 2026 — Dec 08–10, 2026, in-person, Rogers Centre Ottawa.
• 3rd Annual National Natural Resources Forum — Feb 01–04, 2027, in-person, Le Centre Sheraton Montreal, Montreal, Quebec.
• 4th National Climate Gathering — Oct 05–08, 2026, in-person, Hamilton Convention Centre, featured as a "Strengthening First Nations Climate Leadership" event.

Each listing links to event details. Assemblies are where resolutions are passed, so they are the moments when mandates are actually set — the forums and gatherings are where related policy work is discussed.

The short version

Mandates flow from resolutions passed by elected Chiefs and proxies at two annual Assemblies. The Executive Committee — an elected National Chief plus Regional Chiefs from every province and territory — guides the organization between and alongside those Assemblies. Five national councils (Knowledge Keepers, Youth, Veterans, 2SLGBTQQIA+, and Women) advise that committee. The AFN acts on those mandates across Rights & Justice, Community Services, Environment & Lands, and Economy & Infrastructure.