Our Vision Serpent River First Nation will have self-sufficient people within a community of caring and compassionate

passionate families.

Our Mission Serpent River First Nation will use all available financial, human, natural, technological and cultural resources to achieve self-sufficiency through
the efforts of all Community Members. Our strong and unique cultural and spiritual identity will drive us to ensure a healthy community that is safe
and secure for all generations.








Thursday July 31, 2015


National Chief Ghislain Picard
Assembly of First Nations
55 Metcalfe Street
Suite 1600
Ottawa, ON
K1P 6L5

Dear Chief Picard,

Recent media reports point to the BC Regional Chief's clear steps to secure a Liberal candidacy for the BC
riding. In fact, indications are that the Liberal party says they'll announce tonight that she's the official
candidate for Vancouver Granville by acclamation. Please see the following:

http://www.canada.com/mobile/iphone/story.html?id=10076235

BC Regional Chief Jody Wilson-Raybould's legal background would suggest she understands the ethical
lines being blurred by her decision to remain a paid official of the AFN. For that reason, the AFN Executive
must make a decision as her tenure as an Executive member of the AFN is now affecting the objectivity of
the AFN, and compromising the integrity of the Executives mandate to uphold it's unbiased and non-
partisan role on behalf of First Nations in the BC region and for the collective will and interest of First
Nations across this country.

The AFN Charter Article 18 (5) says: The Executive Committee shall bring to the attention of First
Nations, the First Nations-in-Assembly and the Confederacy of Nation; any matters which, in their
opinion may jeopardize the security, survival, rights, aspirations and jurisdiction of First Nations.

Concerns such as Liberal policy influence and a candidates real or perceived conflict of interest; warrants
immediate attention from the Executive.

Further, where the AFN Charter Article 12 (1-d) says: (the Confederacy of Nations) take corrective and
remedial disciplinary measures in respect of any member of the Secretariat or Executive
Committee (including the National Chief) in instances of willful breach of a national mandate.

Concerns of this nature require close examination and if necessary, corrective measures. There are very
obvious fears that the AFN mandate is being affected by partisan influence and that fiscal resources are
funding a formally announced candidate. Fundamental fears are that there are conflicting positions on
major First Nations policies that are not inline with the Liberal party of Canada and visa-versa.

Here are a few direct questions I have as the Chief of Serpent River First Nation; as well other First Nation
members are now asking as of this morning:

Is it ethical that the BC Regional Chief remain on the executive until she is elected to the Liberals - is that a
personal miscalculation or minimization of the impact partisan politics would have on relationships within
Telephone: (705) 844-2418
Facsimile: (705) 844-2757
195 Village Road
Cutler, Ontario P0P 1B0

Serpent River First Nation





Our Vision Serpent River First Nation will have self-sufficient people within a community of caring and compassionate families.

Our Mission Serpent River First Nation will use all available financial, human, natural, technological and cultural resources to achieve self-
sufficiency through the efforts of all Community Members. Our strong and unique cultural and spiritual identity will drive us to
ensure a healthy community that is safe and secure for all generations.

2

the AFN construct?

Is it contrary to the Charter that the AFN Executive accepts such a clear bias and conflict of interest - or will
the AFN Executive make a clear assertion to uphold the spirit, intent and letter of the AFN Charter?

Is it fair that the AFN pay for the BC Regional Chief position as she now announced her intent of candidacy
and clear commitment to be on the Justin Trudeau liberal team?

Is the AFN Executive prepared to answer questions about who is the ambiguity of financing this Liberal
candidate through an AFN Executive salary and supporting this position with secretariat resources?

Ghislain, the Conservative party of Canada, as well as other political parties may obviously wonder what
the AFN Executives opinion would be on secretariat dollars attached to or paying for a Liberal campaign?

I am suggesting that there be a prompt examination of this matter and a response from the Executive.


The Assembly of First Nations is going through a number challenges and changes aimed at modernizing a
collective strength of our First Nations. These changes are consistent with one major theme, Nationhood
and Sovereignty. To overlook this matter without the appropriate response would entrench harder questions
and leave a mark of ill integrity on the Assembly of First Nations. The overlapping political dialogue and
debate with the Canadian political system leaves no room for convoluted agendas or priority perspectives.
Take for example the issue of natural resource development and how each political party address issues
through policy positioning and expenditures thorough federal funding. We know that First Nations clearly
have major challenges, concerns and legal grievances that cannot afford compromise in our own strategic
approaches or through the offices of such mandates of the AFN Executive.

The AFN Executive must address this matter immediately and report back to the Chiefs so that adjustments
can be made to the Executive membership issue and transparency upheld with respect to the fiscal
undertakings of resourcing the AFN Executive.

As recent weeks have shown, the Confederacy of Nations mandate is vital to ensure that these types of
matters have a legitimate oversight and perspective that helps avoid adverse impacts on this organization.
This matter is one such example of why the Confederacy and the Executive must meet as soon as
possible.

I look forward to your prompt response and would welcome an opportunity to address the Executive directly
on this matter.

With unrelenting commitment and respect to you Ghislain.

Regards,




Chief Isadore Day, Wiindawtegowinini

c.c. Anishinabek Nation Chiefs and Councils
Assembly of First Nation Chiefs and Councils
Ontario Regional Chief