FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron. MBC file photo.
Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations Chief Bobby Cameron is issuing a response to the federal cabinet shift, which was announced on Tuesday.
While many are focusing on the announcement that MP Chrystia Freeland is taking over the portfolio from former Liberal leader Stephane Dion.
In fact, now Dione is saying he plans to leave politics.
For Chief Bobby Cameron, the big headline with that of Labour and Employment MaryAnn Mihychuk is being replaced.
In a news release issued Tuesday afternoon, Cameron says he’s established a good working relationship with Mihychuk in her year or so in the post, and thanks her for the time and energy she put into the file. Just last month, Mihychuk addressed the Assembly of First Nations national chief conference, saying it was high time that Aboriginal workers got the respect they deserve.
Cameron chairs the First Nations Education portfolio and the Aboriginal Skills, Education and Training Strategy (ASETS) file, and said he’ll continue to focus on treaty rights to participate in the economy with the new minister, Patty Hajdu.
He said they will work in collaboration “to increase our Inherent and Treaty right to participation in the economy and workforce while increasing the employability and overall health and wellbeing of our First Nations.”
He’s extended an invitation for Minister Hajdu to attend an AFN Forum in Saskatoon, which starts Feb. 7.
Overall, Cameron said he welcomes new cabinet members, and the opportunity to build nation-to-nation relationships.
Other big changes will include Former Immigration Minister John McCallum leaving political life to become Canada’s new ambassador to China.