Fiddler, First Nations optimistic about Trudeau-led government, calls for immediate action

Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler is hopeful the country’s newest prime minister will not wait long to act on First Nations-related campaign promises.

In a release issued early Tuesday morning, Fiddler congratulated Prime Minister-elect Justin Trudeau on his landslide win in Monday’s federal election and called on the new government to move away from the politics of fear and division toward a more inclusive Canada.

“We are hopeful that the election of Justin Trudeau’s majority government is the beginning of a historic new relationship between First Nations and the government of Canada,” Fiddler said.

“Mr. Trudeau has made significant commitments to First Nations, including a national public inquiry into murdered and missing indigenous women and girls, increased funding for education and infrastructure and the development of a federal reconciliation framework recognizing Aboriginal title and rights.”

Fiddler went on to say it’s his expectation that Trudeau will prioritize these promises as well as immediately lifting the two per cent funding cap on program spending.

“We have high expectations of this government and we are prepared to engage immediately to begin to close the gap in quality of life between First Nations people and the rest of Canada,” Fiddler said.

He also called on Trudeau to renew the country’s treaty relationship with First Nations, respect Aboriginal and treaty rights and implement both the United Nations declaration of the rights of indigenous people and the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Fiddler is also seeking mutually beneficial agreements pertaining to mineral and natural resource extraction that benefit First Nations as full treaty partners.