THUNDER BAY – The Nishnawbe Aski Nation Fall Chiefs Assembly is underway for the next two days hosted at Delta by Marriott Hotel in Thunder Bay.
There is a full two-day agenda, which will be worked through by the Chiefs gathered in Assembly.
This morning, Ontario Regional Chief Roseanne Archibald addressed the Assembly.
The Regional Chief recognized the state of emergency in Bearskin Lake First Nation with flooding on the Severn River that has an evacuation underway today.
The Regional Chief stated that North Spirit Lake First Nation had a state of emergency and she thanked NAN and the community members on the ongoing efforts to resolve the issues facing the community. “It is really important for us to speak with a unified voice,” stated ORC Archibald.
The Regional Chief said the impacts of climate change are starting to be very apparent – the flooding on the Severn River is a result of a large amount of rain in the region, the ORC stated.
Reporting to the Assembly, the ORC stated one of her priorities was with re-structuring of the Chiefs of Ontario. She has been focused on the issue of Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG), Archibald stated.
Education has been another focus. “Not only do our students have to graduate but they have to thrive”.
On October 7th, the ORC said there was a meeting on housing strategy, looking for “made in Ontario solutions. She stated that there had been face-to-face meetings with Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Minister Greg Rickford.
Archibald stated that she feels that the relationship between the Ontario Government and the Political Confederacy is far more encouraging and positive.
Ontario Bill 133 has raised concerns, “the omnibus bill has raised concerns from Matawa and Anishinabek Nations and this issue will be the first test of the relationship”, says Archibald.
On the federal side, the ORC said working with the new minority Liberal government is going to present some challenges. She reports that having the government implement the recommendations of the MMIWG and Truth and Reconciliation reports is a priority.
Working on “The Path Forward”, the ORC said that “healing is a revolutionary act”.
Minister Greg Rickford addressed the NAN Fall Chiefs Assembly in the morning.
