Assembly of First Nations calls for criminalization of residential school denialism

July 21, 2026

The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) has passed an emergency resolution that calls on Canada to criminalize residential school denialism.

The advocacy organization, which represents chiefs countrywide, is holding its annual general assembly in Ottawa this week. The resolution was passed on Tuesday.

First Nations chiefs spoke about the importance of the resolution at a news conference Wednesday.

“Today the country that we live in perpetuates hate crimes” by not criminalizing residential school denialism, said Garrison Settee, grand chief of Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak, which represents 26 First Nations across Manitoba.

“It is a shame to live in a country that will not protect our people from hate crimes.”

 

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