Winter weather has scrubbed a proposed trip by the Governor General to the Hatchet Lake First Nation.
Blowing snow in Prince Albert and heavy cloud cover grounded David Johnston’s plane this morning.
Johnston was scheduled to meet with children at Father Megret Elementary school, as well as the local high school.
A community feast was also scheduled, along with a tour of the Rabbit Lake uranium operation.
Meantime, a handful of First Nations chiefs and war veterans met with Johnston yesterday at the Prince Albert Grand Council.
Veteran Emil Highway says he was thrilled to meet Canada’s commander-in-chief:
“Definitely an honour to meet the Queen’s representative for Canada.”
Fellow vet Norman Henderson says he is hopeful Johnston’s visit will bring good things to the province’s north:
“I look forward to a better situation than we have now.”
PAGC Grand Chief Ron Michel says it’s important the Governor General hear from northern bands about the issues that matter to them:
“Things are happening, and we’re just not being treated as we thought we would be through the treaties.”
Michel says the Governor General’s office is an important one to First Nations and some chiefs have talked about renewing ties with England:
“One of the things that the chiefs have expressed is maybe making a trip to London to go and see the Crown and discuss some of the issues that are with us.”
He adds there are many concerns and that’s why Johnston’s trip is so important.