UPEI Elder in Residence Judy Clark named to Assembly of First Nations Council of Elders

For the first time, Prince Edward Island, or Epekwitk, has its own regional Elder to represent the province within the Assembly of First Nations. Elder Judy Clark, UPEI Elder in Residence, Mi'kmaq woman from Epekwitk, and a member of Abegweit Mi'kmaw Nation, was named “Knowledge Keeper” and a member of the Assembly of First Nations’ (AFN) Council of Elders for the province during the AFN’s 44th annual General Assembly held from July 11 to 13, 2023, in Kjipuktuk (Halifax), Nova Scotia, in Mi’kma’ki.

Elder Clark attended the AFN’s assembly alongside Chief Junior Gould, Abegweit First Nation, and Chief Darlene Bernard, Lennox Island First Nation.

“It’s very important for us to have a voice in education and all things that affect Indigenous communities,” said Elder Clark. “I am very honoured to be asked to be part of the Assembly of First Nations.”

As part of her appointment to the AFN, Elder Clark was invited to sit on the long-term care committee as well as a new two-spirited committee.

The AFN is a political organization representing approximately 900,000 First Nations citizens in Canada. The AFN advocates on behalf of First Nations on issues such as treaties, Indigenous rights, and land and resources. The AFN's Chiefs’ assemblies are held at least twice a year, where chiefs from each First Nation pass resolutions to direct the organization’s work. There are over 600 First Nations in Canada.

The First Nations-in-Assembly meets annually to determine policy and direction, while a Confederacy of Nations—made up of representatives from each region—meets at least twice a year to review assembly resolutions and to address any issues that arise between annual meetings. A Council of Elders develops rules and procedures for the assembly.