The National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations is calling on the federal and provincial governments to act immediately on a First Nations plan to address climate change.
AFN National Chief Perry Bellegarde and other Indigenous leaders met with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Wednesday in Vancouver ahead of Thursday’s first minister’s meeting to discuss Canada’s approach to climate change.
“We approach the problem of climate change with the best interest of all people in mind, not just our own peoples,” says National Chief Bellegarde in his address to the First Ministers. “First Nations are the first to feel the impacts of climate change and we possess invaluable Traditional Knowledge to contribute to solving this crisis.”
The National Chief also set out key elements of a First Nations approach to mitigating climate change. Full inclusion of First Nations, recognition of First Nation rights and title, implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, balance and addressing the issue of assumed Crown sovereignty are some of the elements in the action plan.
“We must take action now because the crisis is real and it is upon us,” says National Chief Bellegarde.
Also at the meeting was Metis National Council President Clement Chartier.
“Wednesday’s meeting marks an important first step in the engagement of the Metis Nations with the federal and provincial governments in tackling the formidable challenge of climate change,” says President Chartier in a news release.
One Aboriginal group is speaking out over their exclusion from the meetings. Congress of Aboriginal Peoples National Chief Dwight Dorey was in Vancouver, but was not invited to the meetings. Chief Dorey says he feels Prime Minister Trudeau already made a commitment to include the Congress in these types of discussions.
“To suggest that the constituents of the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples don’t have rights is crazy,” says Chief Dorey. “I feel like I was stood up on my second date. I did have one meeting with him and now he leaves me hanging dry.”
Chief Dorey says there could be a number of factors as to why they were not included. He says some internal issues in CAP in the past could have lead the congress being under the radar. He also believes this could be connected to the upcoming Supreme Court ruling on the Daniels Case.
As the Prime Minister heads into Thursday’s meetings it appears the goal has been lowered – with the key now finding a common front in continuing a process toward a national climate change policy framework. Four working groups will be set up with six-month deadlines to assess policy options. They will include a group that will study the country’s various existing carbon pricing systems.
Also, ahead of the meeting Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall is dismissing talk that the province might boycott carbon talks. He says Saskatchewan will play a constructive role when the premiers and Prime Minister meet. Wall has attacked the Liberal promise of putting a national price on carbon, but says his officials will take part in working groups that will be set up to assess policy options.
(With files from the Canadian Press)