APTN National News
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and AFN National Chief Perry Bellegarde signed a memorandum of understanding Monday on a new permanent bilateral mechanism process.
The process was announced in December and the federal government said the new agreement will assess progress towards advancing “shared priorities.”
The signing is supposed to be followed, in the weeks and months to come, discussion between cabinet ministers and First Nation leaders.
“I am committed to a renewed relationship with Indigenous Peoples, one based on the recognition of rights, respect, co-operation, and partnership. With the MOU we are signing today, Canada and the Assembly of First Nations recommit to making meaningful and timely progress on the issues that matter most to First Nations and their communities,” said Trudeau in a press release.
Bellegarde said the commitment is meet at least three times a year, with one of those meetings chaired by Trudeau.
“First Nations will set direction for these meetings and the AFN will ensure we are making progress on an agenda as determined by First Nations. This is about action and results for First Nations,” said Bellegarde.
APTN’s Todd Lamirande is following the story.
Didn’t Harper have one of these similar agreements signed a few years ago? All it did was shut up the First Nations and Metis for a bit and nothing ever became of it. The Chiefs even stormed the PM office and still broken promises. FN and Metis always meet with politicians and end up with lies and broken promises, always blowing smoke up our asses.
This is a good start. It is 2017 and it is time. So much to do and needs to start with a plan. I hope we see action now.