Labrador Indigenous leaders react to Premier Andrew Furey's resignation

CBC

16-03-2025

Some say he strengthened ties with Indigenous groups, while others feel the provincial government overlooked their communities. His effort toward reconciliation was met with both gratitude and frustration.
But Premier Andrew Furey's resignation took them all by surprise.
While Furey finds his way back to the surgery room, Labrador Indigenous leaders are reflecting on his time in office — his accomplishments, his shortcomings, and what they hope to see from the next leader.
'Set back any progress'
Nunatsiavut government President Johannes Lampe reflected on his relationship with Furey, calling it "for the most part very positive."
"He was approachable, easy to communicate with and willing to listen," Lampe said.
"We met over the years when he was premier. And I do believe that he was committed to building a strong relationship with the Nunatsiavut government and to reconciliation."
But Lampe was critical of Furey's stance on the NunatuKavut Community Council (NCC), which represents 6,000 self-identifying Inuit in south and central Labrador.
Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami — the national organization representing Inuit across Canada, including Inuit in northern Labrador — does not recognize NCC as an Indigenous group, and neither does Nunatsiavut or the Innu Nation, who say NCC is a settler organization engaging in Inuit identity theft.
"Premier Furey was well aware of our concerns, yet he continued to support having a member of the NCC serve as the minister responsible for Indigenous affairs," Lampe said, referring to Cartwright-L'Anse au Clair MHA Lisa Dempster. "And he also continued to engage with the NCC as if it were an Indigenous collective, which it isn't."
Lampe says Furey's approach to the NCC "set back any progress that had been made in recent years toward reconciliation."
Despite these disagreements, Lampe describes Furey as "genuine" and someone who "truly wanted to make a difference."
He pointed to Furey's visits to Nunatsiavut communities, particularly his presence during the apology to residential school survivors, as moments of sincerity.
"I truly appreciate having him come and see the situations of Labrador Inuit in our Nunatsiavut communities," Lampe said. "But having done that, you know, I would have liked to see some action taken after the apologies were made to Labrador Inuit in Nunatsiavut communities."
'An exceptional human being and an exceptional premier'
That apology tour began in southern Labrador, in an area claimed by NunatuKavut. The group's president, Todd Russell, said he was shocked by Furey's decision to step down.
Russell described Furey's relationship with NCC as "respectful, open, inclusive" and said he made efforts to understand their history.
"He treated us with respect and equity around the table. He really fought to understand where we were coming from, who we are, our history, and that was a quality about Premier Furey that I so appreciated," Russell said.
Furey made an official apology to residential school survivors in Cartwright, a moment that Russell said was "indicative of the type of person he is and the leadership."
"That was somewhat controversial for some others, but he stuck to his promises and his commitments and he saw it through with integrity," he said.
'We feel like we were forgotten'
In Hopedale, AngajukKâk Marjorie Flowers was also surprised by the resignation, but was less positive about Furey's tenure, saying people in her community often felt neglected.
"I don't mean to sound negative, but sometimes we here on the north coast feel like we were forgotten," Flowers said.
"We will remember that he did come and make the apology for the residential schools. And that's actually the only time that we've ever seen the premier here in our community."
Despite her criticisms, Flowers said Furey came across as "a very pleasant man" and his visit for the residential school apology was meaningful to some people there. However, she said a visit alone was not enough to address the deeper concerns of people in her community.
Flowers criticized Furey's government for consulting communities only after the government had made decisions.
"That to me is not a good relation," she said.
'One of the best premiers we've had in Newfoundland and Labrador'
Former Labrador MP and Innu Nation land claims advisor Peter Penashue, who has worked closely with Innu leadership, calls Furey "one of the best premiers we've had in Newfoundland and Labrador."
Penashue praised Furey for his willingness to engage with Indigenous leaders and listen to concerns.
"On a human level, he's a very fine gentleman," he said. "You can sense he cares about the people, he cares about what's happening in Newfoundland and Labrador, and he cares about what happens in the future of this province."
One moment that stands out, Penashue says, was a meeting in Natuashish where Furey committed to resolving long-standing concerns related to Muskrat Falls rate mitigation. Penashue said the provincial government had previously altered the agreement, reducing revenue for the Innu.
The Innu Nation sued over the deal, and eventually reached a tentative deal with the province outside of court.
"[Furey] just said, 'We're going to resolve this issue' — and he did. That changed things for us. He's a premier that looks for reconciliation, looks for resolution," Penashue said. "And that's a fine quality to have in a premier."
Penashue also highlighted Furey's role in pushing forward Indigenous participation in resource development, including discussions on Churchill River projects and economic agreements.
He said Furey understood the importance of land rights and ensured Innu representation at key decision-making tables — something that hasn't always been the case with past premiers.
Still, Penashue acknowledged concerns about the next government.
"We may have a premier that'll absolutely say, 'Look, I don't want to deal with the Innu people. I don't want to deal with these issues,'" he said.