First Nation chiefs across Northwestern Ontario say they hope the meeting with the prime minister will help to improve conditions for their communities.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper, as well as a few of his cabinet ministers and the Governor General, will meet Assembly of First Nations National Chief Shawn Atleo and chiefs from across Canada in Ottawa on Tuesday.
It’s the first time that the prime minister will speak with all the leaders of the First Nations across Canada since the government apologized in 2008 for their role with the residential schools.
Most Nishnawbe Aski Nation chiefs prepared to head out to Ottawa to speak with Harper about concerns they had for their communities. Each had their own unique troubles but all agreed they needed help.
MishkeegogamangChief Connie Gray-McKay said she wanted Harper to follow to the treaties that were established and give mutual respect.
“Sharing has to happen,” Gray-McKay said. “The riches of this country need to be shared with its first peoples. That’s what needs to happen. If we didn’t invite the settlers in, they would have perished. We shared with them and we want that sharing back.”
Gray-McKay said First Nation people want the same things as everyone else in Canada, such as running water, good food and the same advantages as everyone else. She said the government has to make changes that are functional so communities are funded properly and have their issues addressed.
North Spirit Lake Chief Rita Thompson said she wanted Harper to come to all the communities and see for himself how they lived.
“Come see for himself what we need,” Thompson said. “You’ve seen our band office here today and how crowded we are. Whatever amount of money the government gives us is not enough. We try really hard to use what they give us and I don’t understand why we have to live like this.”
Thompsons said the government makes sure that First Nation people can never improve their situation on their own.
It was earlier this month that a plane crashed just outside of the northern community killing four onboard. Thompson said she didn’t think she could travel all the way to Ottawa and leave her community behind after such a tragedy.
“All I’m worried about now is my people,” she said. “They are the ones that put me here and where we are today as council. They come first.”
She added she hoped that change could happen because of the meeting but remained a bit pessimistic.
Fort Hope Chief Harry Papah had similar feelings about the government opening their eyes to the problems many face in the north and said there needs to be more done about prescription drug abuse.
“It’s an epidemic on in First Nation communities,” Papah said. “It’s an epidemic across Canada and down south as well too. It is a big issue. The government gives us funds and stuff we need to operate clinics because it is a huge cost for operational costs and training our councilors. That’s when the government has to step in to help us out.”
Kasabonika Lake band councilor Gordon Morris said he wanted the summit to be over with so they can focus on building more houses for the community.
“That’s what we need right now,” Morris said. “We also need to do an expansion on the nursing station.”
