Indigenous people: Justin Trudeau has done more “than any other prime minister”

Justin Trudeau’s resignation on Monday made waves with politicians, organizations and Indigenous communities. While they highlighted the progress made in reconciliation over the past 10 years, they also expressed their concerns about the looming political uncertainty and a possible conservative government.

The Prime Minister has been an ally for meaningful reconciliation and has set a new standard for future Prime Ministers to exceed. In a publication on Facebook, the head of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN), Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak, was quick to salute the work of Justin Trudeau since he came to power in 2015 with regard to indigenous issues. .

During his decade in power, Justin Trudeau did more to improve the quality of life of First Nations people than any other prime minister in the history of this country.

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In a press release, the chef, however, became more critical and declared that she had observed significant delays in the advancement of key files over the last few months. She particularly deplored the lack of commitment from the government to renegotiate a long-term reform of children’s services and the delays in the adoption of Bill C-61 on drinking water for First Nations.

This law has been in preparation for a long time and we again request that it be submitted to the approval process as quickly as possibleshe urged.

The head of theAPN also warned that by March 24, 2025 – the date until which Parliament was prorogued – the government must ensure that critical issues affecting First Nations remain a priority.

For its part, the Assembly of First Nations of Quebec-Labrador (APNQL) wanted to highlight Justin Trudeau’s “will” to work in partnership with Indigenous people during his mandate, congratulating him on the adoption by his government of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. It was a first step towards a renewed relationship with indigenous peopleswrote the Assembly on social networks.

L’APNQL emphasizes, however, that following the departure of Mr. Trudeau, this political transition will mark a pivotal moment and relations with First Nations must remain a priority for years to come, regardless of party.

Reconciliation, “not just a matter of the Liberal government”

In an interview with Indigenous Spaces, independent senator Michelle Audette, for her part, gives a mixed assessment of Justin Trudeau’s mandate. I still remain a little bitter. The indigenous movement has so many struggles and few resourcesshe said, while deploring that all the government’s promises since 2015 have not been honored.

The latter notably listed the blockages in Parliament in terms of drinking water, early childhood, education and in relation to the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (ENFADA), of which she was the chair. commissioner from 2016 to 2019.

The public service has slowed things down and elected officials have not made them prioritiesregrets the one who nevertheless wanted to greet the former Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Marc Miller, the best minister we have had.

Furthermore, Ms. Audette, who was a Liberal candidate in the Terrebonne riding in 2015, says she worry of the possible entry into power of the conservatives, fearing possible setbacks in indigenous struggles.

I will work with all the prime ministers, but the people who incite violence scare mesays the one who comes from the Innu community of Uashat mak Mani-Utenam in Quebec.

We will have to mobilize. Reconciliation is not just a matter for the Liberal government. It belongs to me, and it belongs [à un] Conservative government too.

In Quebec, and more specifically in the Côte-Nord region, Innu chiefs have praised Mr. Trudeau’s work over the years, but also expressed their concerns for the future.

The leader of the Matimekush-Lac John community, Réal McKenzie, said he “regretted” the resignation of the Prime Minister. The Liberals have always listened closely to our issues and things have progressed a lot with them.he summarized.

For his part, the leader of the Ekuanitshit community, Jean-Charles Pietacho, said he was “very concerned”, both by the “departure of Trudeau” and by “the potential arrival” of conservative leader Pierre Poilievre to power.

Mr. Pietacho specified in particular that he was concerned about the safeguarding of certain achievements obtained under the Liberals in favor of reconciliation, in particular the $47.8 billion agreement aimed at reforming the child protection system of First Nations.

With information from Raphaëlle Laverdière and Charles-Étienne Drouin