Federal Liberal Minister Carolyn Bennett got a bit of an earful while speaking at an Assembly of First Nations forum in Gatineau, Quebec Tuesday.
The Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister was talking about the proposed federal recognition and implementation of an Indigenous rights framework.
However, a number of Indigenous representatives say they are skeptical of the government’s intentions with the proposed legislation and willingness to truly draft it in a consultative manner.
Patricia Faries, Chief of the Moose Cree First Nation in Ontario, says the federal government fails to see the larger picture in terms of provincial treatment of First Nations when it comes to Indigenous land and resource rights.
“The main concern is the lack of approach to how the provinces are going to be engaged,” she says. “Because right now, the provinces are not in line with anything you just said.”
For her part, Bennett says she fully understands the frustration of First Nations over past history but the Liberals are serious about implementing the framework.
“Our intention is not to plot your path to reconciliation or self-determination or decolonization,” she says. “Our need is for your help to get our path right.”
The Liberal minister spoke at the AFN forum for about 45 minutes.
The federal government also made close to $60 million in funding announcements that directly affect First Nations in Saskatchewan on Tuesday in such areas as child and family services, health, Indigenous languages and at-risk youth crime prevention.
The Liberals are holding caucus meetings in Saskatoon this week.
Parliament resumes sitting this coming Monday.