SOUTHEAST ASSEMBLY OF FIRST NATIONS (SAFN)

SAFN is staffed by Jim Bear, Political Advisor, who is a member of the Brokenhead Ojibway Nation

SAFN is the Political Unit of the eight First Nations located in the southeast area of Manitoba being Berens River, Bloodvein, Brokenhead, Hollow Water, Black River, Little Grand Rapids, Pauingassi and Poplar River representing Treaties 1 and 5.

Southeast has a unique governance structure with a separate Administrative (Southeast Resource Development Council) and Political (Southeast Assembly of First Nations) section operating in an integrated fashion.

The vision of the First Nations is to work together in a spirit of cooperation to build a strong, active, healthy, responsive, vibrant,  political and socio-economic environment within and amongst the First Nations.

SAFN is involved in a number of areas as follows but not limited to:

• assist First Nations in advocating political issues
• assist First Nations to ensure that the Federal Government does not abrogate the Treaty obligations and to Honor the Spirit and Intent of Treaties
• assist First Nations in administration functions, structures & terms of reference
• assist First Nation in governing structures, Council roles & responsibilities, staff roles & responsibilities and Committee roles & responsibilities
• assist First Nations to understand & develop Band Custom Election Codes, referendums, election codes, conflict of interest codes and codes of conduct
• capacity to do orientation workshops for Councils and staff
• assist with development of various resolutions
• attend program and political meetings with Councils and staff
• assist with proposal writing, writing general correspondence, filling out various government forms, arranging political meetings, analyze mainstream government and First Nation government agreements and represent the First Nations at meetings as requested
• advocate for individuals requiring assistance with various federal, provincial and municipal departments
• analyze various government policies and make recommendations to Councils & staff
• capacity to interface with SERDC program and advisory staff to assist with the political issues of the various programs
• to avoid duplication of politics by working cooperatively with organizations such as AFN, SCO and AMC