Chartier Expects Little Impact From Name Change

Chartier Expects Little Impact From Name Change

Friday, May 20, 2011 at 14:33

The president of the Metis National Council says he doesn’t believe changing the name of the Indian Affairs department to Aboriginal Affairs will make much difference.

The Conservative government revealed it was making the move earlier this week when the new cabinet was announced.

MNC president Clem Chartier points out the switch was initially suggested by the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples in a bid to make the department more inclusive.

He believes the change is little more than semantics, but Chartier says he has always maintained the term “Indian” used in the 1867 Constitution referred to all Aboriginal peoples — not just First Nations people.

Chartier adds he will be closely watching to see how the government tackles the country’s deficit and if it impacts the Metis.