First Nations, Métis Nation and Inuit leaders joined federal, provincial and territorial Ministers responsible for Aboriginal Affairs in the new body that seeks a new approach in support of improving outcomes for Indigenous peoples and promoting reconciliation in Canada.
The meeting was co-chaired by the Honourable Bob McLeod, Premier of the Northwest Territories and Chair of the Aboriginal Affairs Working Group (AAWG), and the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs.
The terms of reference of the FPTI still have to be worked out. The MNC, AFN and ITK tabled a draft that envisages Indigenous governments collaborating on a nation-to-nation basis with federal and provincial governments on priority issues. Given the commitments of the Trudeau government on reconciliation, the addition of the federal government to the group is seen as a positive step in this direction.
MNC President Chartier stated: “I am hoping that the Forum will serve as a means of realigning all jurisdictions toward building nation-to-nation relationships with First Nations, the Métis Nation and the Inuit on the road to reconciliation.”
Forum parties agreed to meet annually to discuss progress on their activities. Ontario Minister of Aboriginal Affairs David Zimmer and Minister Carolyn Bennett agreed to co-chair the next meeting of the FPTIF. The MNC presented a gift to Premier McLeod for his co-chairmanship of the meeting and for having served as Chair of the AAWG during the past few years.
Click to view Canada’s Press Release on FPTI Forum
First meeting of Ministers and Leaders at new Federal, Provincial, Territorial and Indigenous Forum (FPTIF)
President Chartier presents gift to Premier McLeod
MNC Vice-President, MMF President David Chartrand addresses Child and Family Care at the FPTI Forum
Women of the Métis Nation President addresses issues on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls
At the FPTI Forum