The Grand Chief of the Prince Albert Grand Council is happy to hear the new Crown-Indigenous relations minister is willing to work on Indigenous land claims, but said a lot of work needs to be done.
On Tuesday, Mark Miller replaced Carolyn Bennet as Canada’s Crown-Indigenous relations minister. Bennet was removed from the position after facing criticism for withholding documents relating to abuses at the St. Annes Residential School in Ontario. Bennet will now serve as the newly formed Addictions and Mental Health Minister.
When commenting on his new role, Miller said he doesn’t have one priority to focus on, but explained he planed to rebuild trust and work on Indigenous land claims.
PAGC Grand Chief Brian Hardlotte said he was happy to hear Miller speak on land claims but added work remains to be done.
“We have seen a lot of land claims settled from the early 90’s to today, but there is a lot of them that are still outstanding,” said Hardlotte.
While the federal government seems to be willing to work on land claims, Hardlotte feels it is now time to get the Province of Saskatchewan and various industries on board with Indigenous land claims.
“The province will still have their land laws and First Nations are going to be making their own land laws too,” said Hardlotte. “There is laws under the duty to consult and accommodate, but we are going to go further and declare the land as First Nations land under whatever First Nations territory it is.”
Grand Chief Hardlotte said every one of the bands under PAGC has some sort of land claim that they are currently working through.
Earlier this week, the FSIN announced a land claim by Witchekan Lake First Nation will be proceeding through the court.
With files from Michael Joel-Hansen.
(Photo Courtesy of Michael Joel-Hansen/MBC News)