The Legacy of Hope Foundation Congratulates RoseAnne Archibald, First Woman to be Elected as the AFN National Chief

(Ottawa, ON) July 9th, 2021 – The Legacy of Hope Foundation (LHF) wishes to offer their heartfelt congratulations to RoseAnne Archibald, who has just been elected as the first woman to serve as the National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN). As the National Chief, Archibald will lead the AFN’s advocacy work on behalf of the over 900,000 First Nations peoples it represents across Canada.

Archibald is a member of the Taykwa Tagamou Nation (previously known as New Post First Nation) and has devoted herself to representing and working for Indigenous Peoples throughout her ground-breaking career. At 23, she was elected chief of Taykwa Tagamou Nation (TTN), becoming the first woman, and youngest person to serve in the role. Later, she would go on to become the first woman, and youngest person elected as Deputy Grand Chief for Nishnawbe-Aski Nation (NAN). Archibald also led an Indigenous consultancy firm for 9 years before being elected as the first woman to serve as Ontario Regional Chief.

The LHF is pleased that a woman has finally been elected to serve in this important role. Before colonization, many women within Indigenous societies were granted substantial political representation. Having a woman serve as the National Chief is a significant step towards helping to re-establish traditional female roles and representation within politics, as well decolonize political spaces within Canada.

“RoseAnne Archibald has long been committed to Indigenous advocacy, and the Legacy of Hope Foundation is certain she will continue her great work within her role as the National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations.” said Teresa Edwards, Executive Director and In-House Legal Counsel at the LHF. “At such a critical moment in time, especially with the ongoing and tragic discoveries of children’s remains across the grounds of former Residential Schools, it will be important that we work together to hold the Government accountable for their horrific actions. We at the Legacy of Hope Foundation are looking forward to working with Archibald and Survivors to continue to advocate for Indigenous Peoples across Canada, help take a stand against colonial discrimination and oppression, and achieve equality for our Peoples.”

The LHF is pleased to be celebrating their 20-year anniversary as a national, Indigenous-led, charitable organization that promotes healing and Reconciliation in Canada. The LHF’s goal is to educate and raise awareness about the history and existing intergenerational impacts of the Residential School System, Sixties Scoop, Day Schools and other colonial acts of oppression perpetrated against Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, and Metis) Peoples. The LHF has 19 exhibitions that are available for loan for free.

Our latest exhibition, Escaping Residential Schools: Running for their Lives, is now available through an animated virtual video, along with the Survivors’ Oral Testimonies. The exhibition examines the experience of Survivors of the Residential School System and raises awareness about the impacts it has had upon our communities. For more information on the project, please visit: https://legacyofhope.ca/project/escapingrs/ The LHF is working on making its other exhibitions also available online. The LHF has also developed curriculum for all ages, from K-12 to adults, along with Activity Guides, aimed at educating Canadians about Indigenous history, and the shared history of Residential Schools, the Sixties Scoop, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, and Day Schools. The LHF works to develop empathy and understanding so as to eliminate racism and foster Reconciliation in Canada.