Dene National Assembly begins in Hay River, N.W.T.

The 56th Dene National Assembly officially starts Tuesday in Hay River, N.W.T., hosted by Kátłʼodeeche First Nation (KFN).

For the next three days, dozens of First Nations groups will discuss a broad range of topics, from health care to Dene youth, climate change to caribou.

This year's assembly also happens to fall on Truth and Reconciliation Day, on Wednesday. There'll be a special commemoration for that, according to Dene Nation's agenda, though details have not been released.

Some federal cabinet ministers are also scheduled to be at this year's assembly, according to Dene Nation.

The territory's MP, Rebecca Alty, who is also the Minister of Crown–Indigenous Relations, is scheduled to talk about major projects in the North.

Eleanor Olszewski, the federal minister responsible for emergency management, is also slated to speak at this year's assembly. Some communities in the territory had to evacuate last summer due to wildfires.

The assembly wraps up Thursday.

The event is happening just days after Elaine Auger announced her resignation as Kátł'odeeche First Nation chief.

In a statement shared on the First Nation's Facebook page last week, she said a council member faces allegations of harassment and sexual harassment, though she did not provide details. She said the allegations are having an impact on women in the community and "must be addressed through a fair process."