NAN Encouraged By New Cabinet, Looks For New Relationship With Federal Government

Press Release

THUNDER BAY, ON: Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler is encouraged by the new federal cabinet unveiled today and says a new relationship with First Nations must be a priority for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his government.

“We congratulate the members of this new cabinet and welcome the appointment of Carolyn Bennett as the new minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs, Jody Wilson-Raybould as justice minister and Hunter Tootoo as fisheries minister and Patty Hajdu as Minister of Status of Women. We are encouraged by the strong Indigenous representation in this cabinet and hope this signals a meaningful shift towards a new relationship with First Nations,” said Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler.

“Carolyn Bennett has travelled extensively across NAN territory and is familiar with many of the issues facing our communities. She brings a wealth of experience to the table and we anticipate that her influence will help lead this government to more respectful relations with First Nations. On justice issues, we hope the appointment of Jody Wilson-Raybould is the beginning of a new cooperative approach to dealing with the rights of Indigenous peoples instead of the costly and unnecessary legal battles waged by the previous government. We are also encouraged with the appointment of Thunder Bay-Superior North MP Patty Hajdu as Minister of Status of Women. We see this as a commitment to the North and hope she will play a meaningful roll developing a national public inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.”

NAN expects the Liberal government to honour the commitments in its election platform to begin to close the gap in quality of life between First Nations people and the rest of Canada, including:

• A national public inquiry into murdered and missing Indigenous women and girls;
• a lift of the two-per-cent cap on First Nations program funding;
• access to safe drinking water and an end to boil water advisories on-reserve;
• implementation of the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples;
• development of a Federal Reconciliation Framework recognizing Aboriginal title and rights;
• increased funding for education and infrastructure; and
• review of federal legislation and reversal of measures in conflict with Aboriginal and Treaty rights.

“A record 10 Aboriginal MPs were elected to the House of Commons and we expect their views and perspectives will be reflected by this cabinet,” said Fiddler. “The Prime Minster has promised a cabinet of decision-makers and we expect to see progress in health, education, infrastructure and housing after years of inaction by the previous government. We need to establish a working relationship with our federal Treaty partner and will look for firm commitments in the upcoming speech from the throne.”

As a first step, NAN urges this government to being to start working with families, leaders and Indigenous organizations to form the terms of reference for a national public inquiry into murdered and missing Indigenous women and girls.

“The significant increase in the First Nations vote in this election shows that our votes and our voices have the power to bring about change at the federal level, and action our issues and accountability to our people must be built into this new relationship,” said Fiddler.

“Immediate action on the groundwork for a national public inquiry into our missing women and girls would go a long way to build trust between First Nations and this government.”

NAN is also looking to the Prime Minster to fulfill his commitment to provide an additional $40 million to support the Nutrition North Canada food subsidy program to make healthy food more accessible and affordable in remote communities. An Opposition motion calling for a comprehensive review of the program and the inclusion of more communities currently ineligible for a full subsidy was defeated by the Conservative majority during the last parliamentary session.

For more information please contact: Michael Heintzman, Director of Communications – Nishnawbe Aski Nation (807) 625-4965 or cell (807) 621-2790 or by email mheintzman@nan.on.ca

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