OTTAWA — Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson told hundreds of First Nations chiefs in Ottawa Thursday there is no good way to build major projects in this country without their partnership and leadership.

“Today we see First Nations as builders, owners and partners in some of the most important energy, infrastructure and resource projects we have underway in this country,” he told chiefs gathered for the Assembly of First Nations annual general meeting in Ottawa.

Not everyone in the audience seemed convinced.

“We will not allow our traditional territory to be treated as an underground garbage dump for multi-billion dollar oil companies,” said Cold Lake First Nations Chief Kelsey Jacko.

“Reconciliation is not a buzzword to use while you fast-track pipelines behind our backs. If you want to build through our territory, you face us directly as a sovereign government.”

First Nations chiefs vowed Wednesday to oppose any actions by federal and provincial governments to expedite major projects that would undermine their rights and environmental protections.

They passed two resolutions confirming that stance and committing the AFN to opposing legislation or policies that dilute their rights or undermine their decision-making processes.

Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation Chief Veronica Smith said recent federal moves to speed up major projects “have raised concerns among First Nations across Canada that efforts to expedite project approvals may undermine the meaningful implementation of free, prior and informed consent, treaty relationships, environmental stewardship responsibilities and nation-to-nation decision-making.”

The Assembly of First Nations is a national advocacy body that takes its direction from some 630 First Nations chiefs through special and annual general assemblies.

Chiefs at this week’s assembly have been debating 53 resolutions on various topics, including the state of First Nations child welfare, status rules under the Indian Act and calls for the Vatican to rescind a series of papal decrees.

Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull-Masty, Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree and Northern Affairs Minister Rebecca Chartrand were scheduled to address the gathering later Thursday morning.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 16, 2026.

Alessia Passafiume, The Canadian Press