Assembly of First Nations: AFN National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak Commemorates Tina Fontaine Ten Years After Her Passing

AFN National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak Commemorates Tina Fontaine Ten Years After Her Passing

(August 13, 2024 – Unceded Algonquin Territory, Ottawa) –Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak released a statement in honour of Tina Fontaine, who passed away 10 years ago this past Saturday at the age of 15.

"Tina's passing was a tragic loss," said National Chief Woodhouse Nepinak. "My heart goes out to her loved ones and her community as they continue to grieve and seek healing. As we remember Tina, we must uphold the rights of all First Nations children to grow up safely and without harm—a fundamental human right that we must protect. We also have much work to do in addressing the crisis of violence against Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and implementing all 231 Calls to Justice from the National Inquiry's final report. The lack of progress on implementing these recommendations is unacceptable. I urge all levels of government to take action to protect children like Tina and the countless others who have been lost."

Support is available. The Hope for Wellness Help Line provides immediate mental health counseling and crisis intervention to all Indigenous people across Canada. This toll-free service is accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To talk with someone, please call 1-855-242-3310.

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The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) is a national advocacy organization that works to advance the collective aspirations of First Nations individuals and communities across Canada on matters of national or international nature and concern. Follow AFN on X @AFN_Updates.

Contact information:

Kelly Reid
Senior Communications Officer       
Assembly of First Nations
kreid@afn.ca
(613) 292-0857 (mobile)

Jamie Monastyrski
Press Secretary
Office of the National Chief
jamiem@afn.ca
(613) 612-7229 (mobile)                          

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