NAN Congratulates Prime Minister Carney, Acknowledges Former Prime Minister Trudeau
THUNDER BAY, ON: Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler, on behalf of the Executive Council, congratulates new Liberal leader Mark Carney, who was officially sworn in today as Canada’s 24th Prime Minister, and acknowledges former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for his personal commitment to prioritizing Canada’s relationship with Indigenous peoples:
“On behalf of Nishnawbe Aski Nation I would like to congratulate and welcome Mark Carney as the Prime Minister of Canada. Our leaders have high expectations that this new government and Cabinet will continue to advance the priorities of our communities and always honour the Treaties and respect our Aboriginal and Inherent Rights.
The Prime Minister has identified the economy and threats to Canada’s sovereignty as immediate priorities and has assembled a leaner Cabinet to meet these challenges. We welcome the return of both Ministers of Indigenous Services Canada Patty Hajdu and Crown–Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada Minister Gary Anandasangaree so that we can continue the important progress together. We also look forward to developing relationships with the new Ministers that have been entrusted with leading this government forward through the uncertain times ahead.
The Liberal leadership campaign lacked substantive conversation about federal responsibilities to First Nations. Our communities need to know that the challenges they are facing will be met with action, and that legislation to advance their interests will be prioritized. We have made considerable progress over the past decade, and we must continue to work together in a good way to overcome the unique challenges faced by NAN First Nations. We look forward to hearing that this new government accepts its responsibility and commits to our shared future as a willing and supportive Treaty partner.
We worked with Prime Minister Trudeau and his cabinets on difficult issues and through challenging times. While not every issue was resolved, we must acknowledge that as partners, we made substantial progress, including the strides made in reforming the child welfare system for First Nations in Ontario, which will bring significant and lasting change to our children and families. He always dedicated time to listen to our youth speak about what reconciliation meant to them, and what it would take to get there. We thank him for his personal commitment to our shared future and wish him well in his future endeavours.”
NAN also acknowledges Marc Miller for his outstanding leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic as Minister of Indigenous Services, and for his commitment to strengthening relationships with our Nations as Mister of Indigenous Crown–Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada.
For more information please contact:
Michael Heintzman,
Director of Communications
Cell: (807) 621-2790
mheintzman@nan.ca