Two former prime ministers and a former chief of the Assembly of First Nations are among a group of high profile Canadians behind a movement to repair the country’s relationship with Aboriginal people and improve their chances of success.
The Canadians For A New Partnership was launched Thursday morning in Ottawa.
Its aim is to heal the wounds of the past and build a better future for all Canadians. Former Prime Minister Joe Clark says it can be done.
“This is a highly possible dream, it takes understanding, information and will and we invite Canadians from across the country to join us to build and broaden this partnership,” he says.
Among the founding members is former AFN Chief Ovide Mercredi.
He says the Idle No More movement helped build a dialogue that needs to get louder.
Mercredi also says all Canadians stand to benefit from the new initiative.
“So it is not just a message to people to say, ‘Who is going to help us,’ it’s also a message that says ‘By helping us you are improving and protecting your own country,’” he says.
Former Prime Minister Paul Martin and the head of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Justice Murray Sinclair are also members of the new partnership.
It’s a non-profit organization that aims to build greater public support for Aboriginal rights and to and put pressure on Canadian politicians to act.