Leaders from across Turtle Island gathered under the bright lights of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues this week, carrying with them something older than any international body: a shared understanding that the borders dividing their lands were never meant to divide their people.
Inside the forum, the Assembly of First Nations and the National Congress of American Indians met face-to-face, building on a renewed Declaration of Kinship and Cooperation signed just weeks earlier on March 24. But this was not a ceremonial gathering. It was a working meeting—one rooted in urgency, shaped by shifting political landscapes in both Canada and the United States, and driven by a shared goal: to make the Declaration real in the lives of First Peoples.
At the center of the discussion was something both practical and profound—how to restore what had long existed before colonial lines were drawn. Leaders focused on Indigenous free trade and border mobility, raising the need to remove tariffs that hinder the exchange of goods between their Nations. They spoke of medicines, cultural items, and traditional practices—not as commodities, but as lifelines tied to identity, health, and sovereignty.
“Today’s meeting reflects the strength of our renewed kinship and our shared responsibility to act together on behalf of our Nations,” said Mark Macarro. His words echoed the reality that, for generations, Indigenous Peoples have maintained relationships across what is now called the U.S.-Canada border—often referred to by many as the Medicine Line—despite policies that have tried to restrict them.
Across the table, Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak reinforced that message. The connections between First Peoples, she said, have always extended far beyond imposed boundaries. Now, she emphasized, those connections are being translated into action—efforts that support economic development, uphold rights, and ensure people can move more freely between their homelands.
The conversation unfolded against the backdrop of the forum’s 25th session theme: ensuring Indigenous health, particularly in times of conflict. That theme carried special weight as youth voices took the floor—not as observers, but as leaders.
Among them was Hanna Sewell, a citizen of Batchewana First Nation, who spoke with clarity about both the burden and strength carried by her generation. She described how young people are navigating the lasting impacts of intergenerational trauma while also reclaiming language, culture, and connection to land as pathways to healing.
For Sewell and others, the solutions are already known—they are rooted in tradition and strengthened through cooperation. By working across borders, she said, Indigenous Nations can share knowledge, rebuild systems of care, and create healthier futures for generations still to come.
Throughout the meeting, one theme remained constant: unity. Not as an abstract idea, but as a strategy for survival and growth. Leaders reaffirmed their commitment to work together more closely—strengthening their advocacy on the international stage and coordinating efforts to push shared priorities forward.
As the session came to a close, there was a clear understanding that this work is ongoing. The Declaration is not a final step, but a framework—one that commits both the AFN and NCAI to continue meeting, collaborating, and advancing Indigenous-led solutions.
Beyond the walls of the United Nations, the message was just as clear: the kinship among First Peoples has endured centuries of disruption. Now, with renewed focus and collective leadership, that kinship is being transformed into action—bridging borders, restoring connections, and shaping a future defined not by division, but by shared strength.
