The prime minister has called for a “total renewal†of Canada’s relationship with First Nations. From launching an inquiry into missing and murdered aboriginal women to pledging to spend more money on programs and improve education on territories.
PM Trudeau addressed more than 1000 delegates on the first day of a three-day AFN Special Chiefs Assembly taking place at the Hilton Lac Leamy in Gatineau, Quebec this week.
“It is time for a renewed, nation-to-nation relationship with First Nations peoples, one that understands that the constitutionally guaranteed rights of First Nations in Canada are not an inconvenience but rather a sacred obligation,” said Trudeau to loud applause from First Nations chiefs at a special assembly at the AFN.
A Renewed Hope
Trudeau also said his government would make significant investments in education and lift the two per cent cap on funding for First Nations programs, beginning with the first budget of 2016.
“As you know, that limit has been in place for nearly 20 years,” Trudeau said. “It hasn’t kept up with the demographic realities of your communities, nor the actual costs of program delivery.
“It’s time for a new fiscal relationship with First Nations that gives your communities sufficient, predictable and sustained funding.”
In an effort to repair the relationship with First Nations, the prime minister said his government would immediately move on the following five promises the Liberals made during the recent election campaign.
- Launch a national public inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women.
- Make significant investments in First Nations education.
- Lift the two per cent cap on funding for First Nations programs.
- Implement all 94 recommendations from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
- Repeal all legislation unilaterally imposed on indigenous people by the previous government.
National Inquiry set to Begin
“This has been a long time coming, and we have always said the families and individuals impacted by violence against women be central to immediate action and a national inquiry,” said AFN National Chief Perry Bellegarde. “After years of denial and deflection, it is my hope we can make real strides in achieving justice for families and achieving safety and security for all our people.
Ministers Jody Wilson-Raybould, one of two cabinet ministers with indigenous roots, Dr. Carolyn Bennett and Patty Hajdu announced the first phase of a national inquiry on missing and murdered Indigenous women, which includes meeting with families, national Aboriginal organizations  and experts. A dialogue and decision-making session on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls will take place Wednesday afternoon and will focus on the national public inquiry and processes to move to a coordinated national action plan.
The AFN Special Chiefs Assembly is taking place December 8-10 in Gatineau, Quebec. A live web cast is available at www.afn.ca
By: Regan Jacobs, Executive Producer at Akwesasne TV.
Source: AFN/Canadian News wire
