On the heels of a landmark accord inked between the province and its First Nation chiefs, Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne continued the discussion at the local level on Wednesday.
Wynne, flanked by Aboriginal Affairs Minister David Zimmer and local cabinet ministers Michael Gravelle and Bill Mauro, took part in the Anishnawbek Nation-Ontario Summit at Fort William First Nation, where they discussed a variety of topics ranging from education and economic development to employment and health.
Wynne said the summit was in important part of the rebuilding and re-establishment of the ongoing relationship between the province and First Nations.
Anishnabek Nation Grand Council Chief Patrick Madahbee said he hopes it the first step in a much closer relationship with Wynne and her cabinet.
“It’s a government to government relationship, but it’s faltered in our history,” Wynne said.
It’s an opportunity for the two sides to work together and share priorities, the premier added.
“Grand Chief Madahbee has identified some areas,” Wynne said. “He’s talked about economic development, education, health care, child welfare, resource revenue sharing.
“There are a number of areas where we have a lot of work to do.”
The accord, signed earlier this week, is essentially a framework that would not have been possible if the two sides had not already been working together.
“I think that’s what’s important about today’s meeting and the ongoing conversation. We wouldn’t have been able to sign an accord, we wouldn’t have been able to get to that point if we already hadn’t established that there was enough trust to work together.”
Wynne acknowledged there are plenty of obstacles ahead.
“There will be lots of moments where there will be challenges,” Wynne said, noting they planned to draft a framework on First Nations education later in the day, as talks continued Wednesday afternoon.
Madahbee said the presence of the premier and her cabinet members sends a strong message to Anishnabek Nation leadership about the willingness the province has to work together with First Nations to build a better future.
“Our chiefs have got a whole number of practical ideas we’re presenting to the government about how we can meet the charge in terms of First Nations and issues,” Madahbee said. “We have a number of things we’re well advanced on – for example, a child well-being law and the education initiative the premier spoke about.
“We have an economic blueprint. We have a whole other number of areas we’re working on in terms of resource revenue sharing. In the health area we have a number of ideas about how to advance practical solutions to work in our communities.”
The premier said the accord demands she meet with First Nations leadership twice a year, double the previous rate.
