Climate Change Strategy will fail without a Nation to Nation relationship

THUNDER BAY – “The honeymoon is over”, states Ontario Regional Chief Isadore Day. The Ontario Regional Chief just returned after meetings with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on the issue of climate change. “First Nations in Canada have been shut out of the discussion and dialogue on Climate Change,” stated Chief Day.

Heading into the meetings in Vancouver, Chief Day said, “The test of Nation to Nation is at hand on matters of Climate Change. We must ensure we stand as recognized by the ‘Federal Family’ – the First Ministers Meeting tomorrow on Climate Change must recognize our rightful place in this land. Nothing about us; without us!”

The Prime Minister did not attend a Water Ceremony that he had been invited to, and then spoke of the importance of building pipelines after meeting with the provincial premiers.

Chief Day, following the meeting stated, “I am calling on our First Nations across Turtle Island to WAKE UP! Mr Trudeau has raised the first red flag of contradiction; further he has made it clear he has no real formal regard for Our Nations, Our Elders, Our Youth, Our Children; when it comes to their views and voices on First Nation jurisdiction or ‪#‎SacredWaterCeremonies‬.”

On the issue of climate change, the recent meeting in Vancouver was a key opportunity and was an opportunity the Chief says seems to have been lost on the Prime Minister.

“Chiefs of Ontario demand a climate change accord where First Nations have equal footing with Canada and the Provinces.  Canada’s Pan-Canadian Climate Change Strategy will fail without a Nation to Nation relationship,” stated the ORC.

Real Work – Homeland Reconnect

One of the issues concerning to Chiefs of Ontario remains Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls. The searchers looking for a young teenager girl in Kenora remains on the mind of the Regional Chief.

One of the projects near and dear to Chief Day is Homeland Reconnect. Restoring and helping individuals and families to come together, working to overcome obstacles placed in their path by residential school trauma and the pain of addiction, abuse, homelessness are a focus of the Chiefs of Ontario.

Part of the goal is ensuring that work is done on community development, and encouraging the best and brightest have a place and a voice in their communities.