Shawn Atleo resigning as AFN national chief

OTTAWA — Shawn Atleo has resigned as national chief of the Assembly of First Nations.

Atleo says he does not want to be a lightning rod in the ongoing debate over First Nations education.

Some First Nations groups have been critical of Atleo for supporting a Conservative government bill aimed at reforming aboriginal education.

They say the legislation strips away their rights and puts too much control over the education of their children in the hands of the federal government.

Aboriginal Affairs Minister Bernard Valcourt has defended Bill C-33, the First Nations Control of First Nations Education Act, saying it meets the five conditions outlined by the Assembly of First Nations and chiefs during a meeting in December.

It is not immediately clear who will replace Atleo as national chief.