Liberal leader Justin Trudeau received a warm welcome at the North Central Family Centre in Regina on Friday.
Dressed in jeans, a white golf shirt and sandals, Trudeau mingled easily with the crowd.
His message was one of hope for Canada’s Aboriginal people.
The Liberal leader says movements like Idle No More help raise awareness about some of the major obstacles facing Aboriginal Canadians.
Trudeau adds if governments ignore the needs of the growing Aboriginal population, the future of Canada is in jeopardy.
He says an issue of major concern is inadequate funding for Indigenous education.
“Right now we are not investing nearly enough in education in First Nations communities to have the building blocks for success,” he says.
The Liberal leader says the current funding cap needs to be lifted and First Nations students should get the same per capita funding as any other student in Canada.
Trudeau received a warm response from the audience and says he is hopeful his style will convince Canadians that he is ready to lead the country.
“I think they perceive me as someone who is doing politics differently and who has potential,” he says. “I know there is an awful lot of hard work that needs to be done between now and the next election and I am very serious about doing it.”
After the barbecue, Trudeau headed to a local boxing club to do some training with former Regina mayor Pat Fiacco, who is now the head of Boxing Canada.
On Saturday, Trudeau is in Saskatoon.