Carolyn Bennett, pictured on April 27 at Whitecap Dakota Nation, will remain as a Minister of Indigenous Affairs. Photo by Chelsea Laskowski.
The federal Indigenous affairs department is getting a bit of a shake-up in a federal cabinet shuffle announced today by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
The department will be divided, with two separate ministers taking responsibility for different Indigenous-related matters.
Health minister Jane Philpott will join the department in a new role as minister of Indigenous services. She will be responsible for health, clean water and other well-being roles.
Carolyn Bennett will remain with the department as Indigenous affairs minister responsible for treaty rights and land negotiations.
Her department will be renamed Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the new roles put a special focus on improving the lives of Canada’s Indigenous people.