35th Anniversary Commemoration, Executive Council Elections and Awards Banquet Highlight XXXI Keewaywin Conference

Thunder Bay, ON: Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Chiefs, elders, youth, and staff will gather in Kashechewan First Nation next week for the XXXI Keewaywin Conference with many events highlighting the week-long celebration.

This year marks the 35th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of NAN. A documentary and a commemorative book will be showcased on the first day of Keewaywin with all Chiefs receiving copies.

“It is with much enthusiasm and pride that I’m pleased to help kick-off the commemoration of the 35th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of NAN,” said NAN Executive Director David Fletcher. “Our younger generation need to learn about the history and where we come from. This video and book will help teach them our history, as well as install a sense of nationhood in their everyday lives. A lot has happened over the last 35 years to help shape NAN into what is it today.”

Chiefs and proxies from NAN’s 49 First Nation communities will vote for members of the Executive Council (Grand Chief and three Deputy Grand Chiefs) Wednesday, August 15, 2012. The election will be streamed live and available to view on the NAN election website at nanelection.ca

The annual Keewaywin Awards banquet begins Wednesday evening for everyone attending the Conference. The annual awards recognize outstanding achievements by individuals and will include the Elder Award, the Emile Nakogee Award for Outstanding Leadership, and the Youth Award.

Nishnawbe Aski Nation is a political territorial organization representing 49 First Nation communities in James Bay Treaty No. 9 and Ontario portions of Treaty No. 5 – an area covering two thirds of the province of Ontario. www.nan.on.ca

For more information please contact: Jamie Monastyrski, A/Director of Communications – Nishnawbe Aski Nation (807) 625-4978 or cell (807) 630-7087 or by email jmonastyrski@nan.on.ca.

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