“The mobilization of the First Nations vote reflects the desperate need for change from the politics of fear and division, and we are hopeful that the election of Justin Trudeau’s majority government is the beginning of a historic new relationship between First Nations and the Government of Canada. Mr. Trudeau has made significant commitments to First Nations including a national public inquiry into murdered and missing Indigenous women and girls, increased funding for education and infrastructure, and the development of a Federal Reconciliation Framework recognizing Aboriginal title and rights. It is our expectation that the Liberal Party of Canada will prioritize these commitments, including an immediate lift of the two-per-cent funding cap on program funding. We have high expectations of this government and we are prepared to engage immediately to begin to close the gap in quality of life between First Nations people and the rest of Canada.”
NAN looks to the Liberal government to renew Canada’s Treaty relationship with First Nations, respect Aboriginal and Treaty rights, implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and support communities through mutually beneficial agreements that ensure the wealth from the extraction of natural resources benefits First Nations as full Treaty partners.
