Lucky Man First Nation Chief Pauline Okemow says she feels “cheated” by Tuesday’s meeting between the Prime Minister and Aboriginal leaders.
Okemow says that meeting came together too quickly, and there wasn’t enough time to adequately prepare for it:
“Look at the G8 Summit. That’s planned out a year in advance. And with us, it’s just like we were being herded into a ring. I’m not a circus. I’m a leader, and I expect to be treated as one.”
Okemow also says First Nations leaders did the right thing this week by telling the Prime Minister to scrap the Indian Act.
She says other Canadians aren’t restricted by that kind of legislation, including immigrants.
Okemow says the Indian Act should be scrapped altogether — and if any legislation is required, Aboriginal people should write it.