Manitoba Indigenous leaders urge Carney to uphold campaign promises

Manitoba First Nations leaders congratulated Prime Minister Mark Carney on his re-election Tuesday.

The leaders also congratulated the election of Manitoba Indigenous Members of Parliament: New Democrat Leah Gazan, who was re-elected in Winnipeg Centre, and Liberal candidate Rebecca Chartrand, who won in Churchill—Keewatinook Aski.

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In separate statements, the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC), which represents 63 First Nations across Manitoba, the Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO), which represents 32 First Nations in southern Manitoba as well as Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Inc (MKO), which represents 26 communities in the northern part of the province called on the new Carney government to uphold campaign promises made to Indigenous communities.

The Liberal platform had committed to the implementation of the United Nations Declaration of Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and advances on calls to action from the Truth and Reconciliation report.

“First Nations in Manitoba have been clear about what is needed to move forward in a spirit of true reconciliation and respect for inherent rights, Treaty rights and First Nations jurisdiction,” said AMC Grand Chief Kyra Wilson.

“We’ll give him a couple days to settle in, but there’s a lot of work to do and were excited to start that work together.”

Wilson says she hopes to collaborate with the new government on setting a clear action plan on advancing the Liberal Party’s commitments.

MKO’s Grand Chief Garrison Settee also welcomed the Liberal Government’s commitment to implement UNDRIP, calling it a significant step toward reconciliation and respect for Indigenous rights.

“Our rights must be respected; our voices must be heard,” said Settee. “I truly believe the Prime Minister has heard our voices and do believe we can work with him.

“We can no longer just talk about reconciliation, but that we need to see results of reconciliation and that’s what I am hoping for.”

The SCO also called for concrete measures related to “critical infrastructure, housing and social services, and the disruptions to service delivery as it pertains to Jordan’s Principle.”

Jordan’s Principle was established by the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal to address discrimination and challenges faced by Indigenous children while accessing government services.

“I am ready to get to work right away with our newly-elected federal Treaty partner on the issues that are critical for the Anishinaabe and Dakota Nations that the Southern Chiefs’ Organization represents,” SCO Grand Chief Jerry Daniels said.

The leaders also acknowledged members of the First Nations for turning up to vote.

“It is inspiring to see Anishinaabe and Dakota citizens get engaged and exercise their right to vote,” said Daniels.

While Wilson had rallied her members to participate in the election in the days leading up the campaign, the SCO had run a “Rock the Vote” campaign to encourage voter turnout among First Nations people.

-With files from Mitchell Ringos