Resolutions + Reports

Reports

Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Annual Reports

AMC Annual Reports give readers a complete understanding of our association from the current goals and objectives to the full financial picture.

Read AMC 2024 Annual Report PDF

Read AMC 2023 Annual Report PDF

Read AMC 2022 Annual Report PDF

Read AMC 2020 Annual Report PDF

Read AMC 2019 Annual Report PDF

Read AMC 2018 Annual Report PDF

Annual Alternative Budgets

Canada’s budgetary process must recognize and honour its Treaty obligations to First
Nations. Exclusion is no longer an option; it perpetuates injustices and undermines
the nation’s commitment to Reconciliation and partnership. By prioritizing meaningful
engagement, equitable funding, and First Nation self-determination, Canada can build
a more inclusive and prosperous future for all its citizens.”

Former AMC Grand Chief Cathy Merrick, April 2024

The 2025-26 Alternative Federal Budget for First Nations in Manitoba (AFB) is the fourth iteration of this ongoing alternative budget process, intended to facilitate dialogue and partnership with Canada. Some may interpret the required spending identified in this document as aspirational – but it demonstrates what Canada could and should do if it were genuinely committed to economic, social, health, and environmental Reconciliation that reflects the self-identified needs and priorities of the 63 First Nations of Manitoba.

The AFB also demonstrates how starkly, chronically underfunded First Nations in Manitoba continue to be, despite repeated requests to Canada. The required spending within the 2025-26 report remains direct demands upon Canada to fulfill its stated reconciliatory commitments, fiscal obligations, and Treaty requirements, as stated in each iteration before it.

First Nations in Manitoba demand Canada demonstrates a meaningful commitment to a new fiscal relationship, Reconciliation, and sustained, consistent, and transparent fiscal support of the asks presented within the 2025-26 AFB report.

Ultimately, this report seeks improved economic and social development outcomes for healthier, sustainable economies, Nations, kinship circles, and citizens of all First Nations in Manitoba. The 2025-26 AFB for First Nations in Manitoba centres the priorities, plans, self-identified needs, and resolutions of the Nations it represents.

2025-2026 Alternative Federal Budget for First Nations in Manitoba

2024-2025 Alternative Federal Budget for First Nations in Manitoba

2023-2024 Alternative Federal Budget for First Nations in Manitoba

2022-2023 Alternative Federal Budget for First Nations in Mantioba

First Nations Chartering Their Path

Jordans Principle Knowledge Translation Engagement Report

This report provides a comprehensive journey through the evolution of the implementation of Jordan’s Principle in Manitoba. It draws upon foundational documents and pivotal milestones, beginning with the AMC’s 2011 Declaration for the Implementation of Jordan’s Principle. This landmark declaration set the stage for a First Nations-centred approach, emphasizing the principles of self-determination and equitable access to services for First Nations children and families.

Building on this declaration, the report references key developments leading to the 2022 comprehensive final report on the implementation of Jordan’s Principle in Manitoba. This report serves as a crucial resource, summarizing insights gathered from First Nations and outlining the challenges and successes encountered over the years.

Additionally, the report integrates insights from numerous AMC resolutions on Jordan’s Principle, reflecting the collective voice of First Nations in Manitoba and their ongoing commitment to achieving equity and justice through this principle.

In the report, you will find a detailed summary of “What We Heard” during the Knowledge Translation Engagements (KTEs), with a comprehensive analysis that encapsulates the perspectives, priorities, policies, programs, partnerships, and professionals in the context of Jordan’s Principle implementation, proving a view of the needs and aspirations of First Nations The report concludes with a comprehensive set of recommendations designed to guide the ongoing implementation of Jordan’s Principle. These recommendations aim to restore the fundamental values of the principle, focusing on simplification, greater First Nations control, and the reduction of bureaucratic barriers.

The proposed strategies emphasize the importance of consistency, flexibility, and collaboration to ensure that First Nations have a greater say in how they implement Jordan’s Principle. By considering the historical context, current challenges, and future aspirations, the report offers a holistic view of the journey towards equitable and culturally respectful implementation of Jordan’s
Principle in Manitoba. It provides a clear roadmap for First Nations and governments to follow, with a strong emphasis on respecting First Nations’ autonomy and ensuring that their voices continue to guide the implementation process.

Read the report here.

The Implementation of Jordan’s Principle in Manitoba: Final Report

Jordan’s Principle is a legal principle in Canada that ensures timely and appropriate services for First Nation children without exacerbating historical disadvantages. Recent Canadian Human Rights Tribunal rulings expanded its scope, obligating the government to fully implement it across various public services and adhere to strict timelines.

A study commissioned by the Public Interest Law Centre and conducted with the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs examined the impact of Jordan’s Principle on services for First Nation children in Manitoba. The study described existing services, analyzed Jordan’s Principle programs, identified successes and challenges, explored connections with existing resources, and gathered service providers’ perspectives. Data collection spanned from 2016 to 2021, and the report considered historical and policy contexts.

Read The Implementation of Jordan’s Principle in Manitoba: Final Report

Families First

Across Manitoba and Canada, Indigenous communities and families are grieving the loss of their daughters, sisters, mothers, cousins and friends. Statistics identify the precise number of Indigenous women who are missing or have been murdered very. According to the 2014 RCMP Report, there were approximately 1,181 MMIWG cases between 1980 and 2012. Manitoba has the third-highest number of incidents of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls (MMIWG).

This is an epidemic which plagues Canadian society at large. The international community is watching.

Read Families First report pdf

Setting the Foundation for Change

This report is the strategy for the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs on child welfare reform. It contains the findings from the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Women’s Council Strategic Planning Session on child and family welfare held on March 9 and 10, 2018. 

The Women’s Council oversees the child and family welfare file at the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs and developed this foundational strategy to assist in navigating the current Manitoba Child and Family Services landscape and to guide further work on the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs and Government of Canada Memorandum of Understanding on child welfare reform.

Read the Setting Foundation report pdf

Keewaywin: Our Way Home

Manitoba First Nations Engagement on First Nations Child and Family Services

Keewaywin: Our Way Home, Manitoba First Nations Engagement on First Nations Child and Family Services contains the main findings and recommendations from engagement sessions and meetings with 20 First Nations in Manitoba.

Responding to the highest child apprehension rate in Canada, Manitoba Chiefs-in-Assembly supported a resolution to hold a Special Chiefs Assembly and open forums for concerned First Nation citizens on the topic of First Nation families and child welfare.

The report and its 10 recommendations revealed the current child welfare system in Manitoba is simply an extension of cultural genocide practices found in the residential school system and 60s Scoop. Following review of the report, Manitoba Chiefs-in-Assembly directed the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs to develop an action plan to implement report recommendations.

Jordan’s Principle is a child-first and needs-based principle that applies equally to all First Nations children resident on or off reserve. It ensures there is no denial or delay for First Nations children in receiving essential public services that are available to all other children by having the government department of first contact pay for the service.

Read Keewaywin Report PDF

Download Powerpoint

Read Jordan’s Principle Report PDF

Bringing Our Children Home

In 2014, the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs explored the child welfare system in Manitoba from the perspective of the people who must deal with the system directly; including children (now adults), parents, grandparents, workers and support service organizations that are established to help the people.

The result of this two-day Open Citizens Forum was the creation of the Bringing Our Children Home report with 10 recommendations that is based on First Nations traditional parenting practices, the protection of cultural identity and prevention rather than apprehension.

Read bringing our children home report pdf

Wahbung: Our Tomorrows

In 1971, the Manitoba Indian Brotherhood, now the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, presented their influential position paper Wahbung: Our Tomorrows to Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau and the Government of Canada.

Manitoba First Nations along with our brothers and sisters in other provinces including Alberta First Nations’ famous Red Paper also presented policy papers that not only rejected Trudeau’s controversial White Paper that was written in 1969, but more importantly expressed our relatives’ views on the direction they wanted to take to become self-determined.

Our First Nations Leaders often reference Wahbung: Our Tomorrows and respect what our leaders of those days wanted to accomplish. The AMC upholds the views and recommendations outlined in Wahbung: Our Tomorrows and use the position paper as a guideline in our leadership.

Read wahbung: our tomorrows report pdf

Wahbung: Our Tomorrows Imagined

Visions for the Next 50 Years

The Wahbung: Our Tomorrows Imagined initiative seeks to re-energize the movement towards the desired future articulated by Wahbung: Our Tomorrows.

Read the full report here: Wahbung: Our Tomorrows Imagined Report pdf

Preview:

Wahbanung The Resurgence of Our People: Clearing the Path for Survival

50 Years After Wahbung: Our Tomorrows…

Wahbanung The Resurgence of Our People: Clearing the Path for Our Survival

Wahbung means “Our Tomorrows”, and its root word, Wahbanung, refers to “Going Back to the Beginning” in Anishinabemowin. When we use our language at the beginning of our efforts, we acknowledge the Creator right away with the language given to us, and we notice to non-Indigenous People that the source of our laws and knowledge comes through our languages and our relationship with the Creator.

The process of writing Wahbanung was led by the Pipe, rattle, drum and water ceremony. Our knowledge belongs to everyone, shared by our Knowledge Keepers, as inspired by the Spirit through our ceremonies. We protect our way of life by sharing it, just as we protect our language by speaking it.

Women are the foundation of our families and communities. They are life givers and are gifted to be water carriers. Water connects them to Mother Earth and Grandmother Moon. Women ensure customs and traditions are passed on. They provide guidance to the girls by providing them with responsibilities inside the home. These responsibilities prepare the girls to enter womanhood so that they can learn to provide care for their own families later in life.

FLORENCE PAYNTER (ANISHINAABE) AND PHILIP PAYNTER (ININIWAK)

Read Wahbanung The Resurgence of Our People Full Report

Read Wahbanung The Resurgence of Our People Calls to Action