The Prime Minister is pledging to continue reconciliation and partnership with First Nations, in an address to Chiefs at the Assembly of First Nations General Assembly.
“This pandemic has led us to a crossroads. And together we must decide which way we take. And I’m not here today to tell you which that will be. I’m here to listen. COVID-19 has reminded us that we’re not in this alone,” Justin Trudeau said virtually.
“Together, we’ve made tremendous progress in just a few years. But if this pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that there is much more to be done. I hear you when you say that the status quo isn’t good enough.”
It’s been an up-down last two weeks for the federal government and its handling of Indigenous files. Last week Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller announced Ottawa would not be meeting its March 2021 promise to end long-term boil water advisories on First Nations communities. The AFN said that of the 59 advisories currently, 75 percent are in Ontario. Miller announced an additional $1.5 billion to finish construction on water infrastructure, but no new timelines.
A few days later, the federal government tabled legislation to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which would look to modernize Canadian laws to reflect Indigenous peoples more.
In looking to the future, Trudeau said that changes are coming to chronic issues such as Treaty Rights, police violence and missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.
“No one should face threats while exercising their Treaty right to fish. No one should face violence at the hands of police. And no one should face fear about what may happen or has happened to a mother, sister, or daughter. That is unacceptable,” explained Trudeau.
“Our government is committed not just moving forward. But moving fast. On ending the unacceptable in justices that too many people still face. We will accelerate work on First Nations policing, including legislating it as an essential service while expanding the number of communities served and supporting community safety and well being projects. We will also accelerate work on the national action plan in response to the national inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.”
Trudeau said the federal government has invested in shelters and that work is being done to combat systemic racism and violence. Trudeau ended his address by committing to improving the lives of all Indigenous Peoples.
(MBC file photo)