Latest news with #MandyGull-Masty
Hamilton Spectator
17 hours ago
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Digging for Opportunity – Crees take greater role in mining industry
With Eeyou Istchee recognized as a top-tier global mining destination, Cree leaders are now more visible at influential industry events. A pragmatic approach to government-industry collaboration has enabled extensive Cree participation in the region's exploration and extraction projects. At the Resourcing Tomorrow conference in London last December, former Grand Chief Mandy Gull-Masty emphasized that as sustainability is central to project development, collaboration must focus on mitigating long-lasting impacts while promoting development opportunities and knowledge sharing with community members. 'Engaging early with the Indigenous community allows for the protection of your investment,' Gull-Masty asserted. 'It removes barriers to communication and surprises in the project management chain. Social acceptability begins with the point of contact.' Most companies operating in Eeyou Istchee today appear to have learned that lesson, partnering with communities to overcome resistance and engage local workforces. Ahead of a copper-gold exploration drilling campaign near Chibougamau this year, Cygnus Metals sponsored events and identified community priorities in Ouje-Bougoumou. 'Working with the community for a project that benefits them as well is important,' said Nick Kwong, the company's chief operating officer. 'It's producing well-paying, long-term jobs, building that training so the next generations can be part of the workforce. What's really nice in Ouje, there's a new training centre that was just built last year.' At the CIM Connect conference in Montreal May 4-7, Kwong worked with Jarris Gull, director of mining services at Waswanipi's Asinii Consulting. Waswanipi Development Corporation president Marcel Happyjack delivered a presentation about a transmission line the community built to connect the Windfall mine to the Hydro-Québec grid. Working relationships with mining companies have changed immensely since the Cree Mineral Exploration Board (CMEB) was created out of the Paix des Braves agreement in 2002. Its efforts at bridging companies with communities were acknowledged with a sustainable development award at the Quebec Mineral Exploration Association's gala in November. 'I've made conferences and presentations in Alberta, BC, Australia about how the Crees are doing,' said Youcef Larbi, CMEB chief geologist and director general. 'The Crees are doing very well because they thought about good strategy from the beginning, benefiting from this development that's going to happen anyways.' Noting violent confrontations worldwide between mining companies and Indigenous communities, Larbi suggested that Billy Diamond wisely negotiated a compromise with developers in the 1970s while the more resistant neighbouring Algonquins have remained relatively impoverished. With about 630 active projects in Eeyou Istchee, CMEB's mandate is to highlight the region's mineral potential while guiding exploration companies in respecting the people, culture and land. While mining claims are filed across nearly the whole territory, there are currently only about 30 significant projects. 'There are a thousand projects before you get one off the ground,' Larbi explained. 'We have seven Cree exploration companies and 30 Cree prospectors on the land, all of them independent. The Australians can't be here, so they deal with our companies.' After new provincial regulations introduced last year, exploration companies must apply for authorization to carry out work like excavation or rock stripping that impacts the land. The CMEB communicates extensively with the Cree Trappers' Association about activities on the land while promoting the hiring of Crees to increase social acceptability. Although gold was CMEB's initial focus, lithium is increasingly important and, despite Stornoway's bankruptcy, a huge diamond deposit remains. Altogether, Larbi estimated that less than 200 Crees work directly in mining, which he suggested wasn't necessarily bad because 'mines are not a way of life' and rarely active more than 15 years. He believes their geology program at Centre d'études collégiales à Chibougamau in partnership with Apatisiiwin Skills Development (ASD) offers more empowering career opportunities. Although the challenging program's success rate is less than half, graduates are in high demand. ASD provides training funds and salary subsidies to promote Cree employment in the industry, working with companies to support Cree capacity building and developing courses to meet specific needs through the Cree School Board. At the Éléonore goldmine on Wemindji territory, the Opinagow Collaboration Agreement signed in 2011 states a goal of employing as many Crees as possible. Although Newmont sold the mine to Dhilmar in November, regular on-site training programs should continue. At the end of 2024, 53 of its 807 employees were Cree. 'They're predominantly heavy equipment operators,' said ASD program manager Stephane Petawabano. 'Unfortunately, the current workforce isn't too happy regarding their promotional opportunities. They see their peers climb the ladder faster, which is concerning.' With Cree turnover at the mine three times higher than average, a recent employee retention report revealed allegations of stereotypical attitudes and favouritism affecting promotions. The report addressed cultural communication differences and the challenges of being far from family. 'Some guys don't like working with women,' said Mary-Jane Rabbitskin. 'Some guys talked in French on the radio [thinking she couldn't understand] and I responded back. That's when they got quiet. I think for some Crees they put down their confidence – they can't get me.' Rabbitskin was one of only four Crees selected from 200 applicants for Éléonore's semi-annual training program. She thinks the other woman in her cohort quit after some explosives blasting underground were too close for comfort. With experience driving 12-wheelers in Chisasibi, Rabbitskin enjoyed driving all types of trucks in the mine. 'I got to drive 45-ton and 60-ton trucks underground,' Rabbitskin said. 'At first it was scary because it was so dark – it was really deep. But I was confident and good at it and I'm going back again.' She'll initially be working above-ground with Tawich Construction when returning to the site next month. Saying that there's demand for drivers at the Galaxy lithium mine near Km381 of the Billy Diamond Highway, Rabbitskin appealed for more women to join the profession. 'In Chisasibi, people are so proud to see a woman be a truck driver and I'd like to see that in the mining industry,' said Rabbitskin. 'I've always been all alone. I see little girls wanting me to use the biggest horn and I get so proud. A woman told me her girl saw me and wants to be a truck driver too.' Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Cision Canada
3 days ago
- Politics
- Cision Canada
THE HONOURABLE MANDY GULL-MASTY APPLAUDS THE INTRODUCTION OF A NEW BILL TO ADDRESS REMAINING INEQUITIES AND BAND MEMBERSHIP PROVISIONS OF THE INDIAN ACT
OTTAWA, UNCEDED ANISHINAABEG TERRITORY, ON, May 29, 2025 /CNW/ - Today, the Honourable Mandy Gull-Masty, Minister of Indigenous Services, announced the introduction of Bill S-2 in the Senate, which addresses some of the remaining inequities in the registration and band membership provisions of the Indian Act. Bill S-2 replaces former Bill C-38 which was introduced in December of 2022, but did not receive Royal Assent before Parliament was dissolved in March 2025. The introduction of this Bill early in the current legislative session reiterates the Government of Canada's commitment to reconciliation and to eliminating inequities that continue to impact First Nations individuals and families. Bill S-2 proposes amendments in four key areas: enfranchisement, voluntary deregistration, natal band reaffiliation and membership, and the removal of outdated and offensive language related to dependent persons. These changes respond directly to concerns raised by First Nations and individuals impacted by the Indian Act's residual inequities. If passed, the legislation would ensure that individuals with family histories of enfranchisement are entitled to registration under the Indian Act and extend entitlement to their descendants. Bill S-2 continues the legacy of former Bill C-38 which was developed from extensive engagement efforts, including over 50 virtual sessions held with First Nations, Indigenous organizations, and other partners. These discussions were instrumental in shaping the proposed amendments. It is estimated that approximately 3,500 individuals could become newly entitled to registration as a result of the changes in the first five years after it passes. Quotes "As Minister of Indigenous Services, eliminating gender-based inequities and colonial legacies in the Indian Act is a responsibility I take seriously. Today, we are taking an important step to address these long-awaited changes that continue to affect First Nations individuals and their families. This is one of the first bills proposed by this government because we understand the urgency of these measures for those impacted. I look forward to thoughtful study and discussions about this bill as it moves through the parliamentary process." The Honourable Mandy Gull-Masty Minister of Indigenous Services Key Moments: In 2018 and 2019, there was a collaborative consultation process on reform with First Nations. Input was received from over 650 participants, representing 395 First Nation communities and/or a tribal councils. The conclusion was that Canada should work with First Nations to proactively address issues related to registration and band membership provisions of the Indian Act. In 2019, An Act to amend the Indian Act in response to the Superior Court of Quebec decision in Descheneaux c. Canada (Procureur général), Bill S-3, came into full force, eliminating various sex-based inequities in the registration provisions of the Indian Act. In 2020 the Final Report to Parliament on the Review of S-3 acknowledged that residual inequities still remained in the Indian Act. These included the impacts of a family history of enfranchisement on entitlement to registration, an inequity that exists to this day. In June 2021, on behalf of 16 individual plaintiffs, Juristes Power Law launched a Charter challenge seeking to end the inequities and exclusion faced by families descended from forebears who were enfranchised under earlier versions of the Indian Act. This is referred to as the Nicholas v. AGC civil claim. In March 2022, the litigation was placed in abeyance, in order to allow the parties to pursue an out of court legislative solution to end the ongoing impacts of enfranchisement. The Department held over 50 virtual engagement sessions, which included more than 300 participants, from August to December 2022. Further consultation with First Nations, Indigenous organizations who represent non-status First Nations, and other interested or impacted individuals, will be required to co-develop options to address the broader suite of remaining issues in the registration and band membership provisions of the Indian Act. On January 6, 2025, Bill C-38 died on the Order Paper, following Parliament dissolution due to the election. Stay connected Join the conversation about Indigenous Peoples in Canada: X: @GCIndigenous Facebook: @GCIndigenous Instagram: @gcindigenous Facebook: @GCIndigenousHealth SOURCE Indigenous Services Canada
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
THE HONOURABLE MANDY GULL-MASTY APPLAUDS THE INTRODUCTION OF A NEW BILL TO ADDRESS REMAINING INEQUITIES AND BAND MEMBERSHIP PROVISIONS OF THE INDIAN ACT
OTTAWA, UNCEDED ANISHINAABEG TERRITORY, ON, May 29, 2025 /CNW/ - Today, the Honourable Mandy Gull-Masty, Minister of Indigenous Services, announced the introduction of Bill S-2 in the Senate, which addresses some of the remaining inequities in the registration and band membership provisions of the Indian Act. Bill S-2 replaces former Bill C-38 which was introduced in December of 2022, but did not receive Royal Assent before Parliament was dissolved in March 2025. The introduction of this Bill early in the current legislative session reiterates the Government of Canada's commitment to reconciliation and to eliminating inequities that continue to impact First Nations individuals and families. Bill S-2 proposes amendments in four key areas: enfranchisement, voluntary deregistration, natal band reaffiliation and membership, and the removal of outdated and offensive language related to dependent persons. These changes respond directly to concerns raised by First Nations and individuals impacted by the Indian Act's residual inequities. If passed, the legislation would ensure that individuals with family histories of enfranchisement are entitled to registration under the Indian Act and extend entitlement to their descendants. Bill S-2 continues the legacy of former Bill C-38 which was developed from extensive engagement efforts, including over 50 virtual sessions held with First Nations, Indigenous organizations, and other partners. These discussions were instrumental in shaping the proposed amendments. It is estimated that approximately 3,500 individuals could become newly entitled to registration as a result of the changes in the first five years after it passes. Quotes "As Minister of Indigenous Services, eliminating gender-based inequities and colonial legacies in the Indian Act is a responsibility I take seriously. Today, we are taking an important step to address these long-awaited changes that continue to affect First Nations individuals and their families. This is one of the first bills proposed by this government because we understand the urgency of these measures for those impacted. I look forward to thoughtful study and discussions about this bill as it moves through the parliamentary process." The Honourable Mandy Gull-Masty Minister of Indigenous Services Related products Backgrounder THE ROAD LEADING UP TO INTRODUCATION OF BILL S-2 Key Moments: In 2018 and 2019, there was a collaborative consultation process on reform with First Nations. Input was received from over 650 participants, representing 395 First Nation communities and/or a tribal councils. The conclusion was that Canada should work with First Nations to proactively address issues related to registration and band membership provisions of the Indian Act. In 2019, An Act to amend the Indian Act in response to the Superior Court of Quebec decision in Descheneaux c. Canada (Procureur général), Bill S-3, came into full force, eliminating various sex-based inequities in the registration provisions of the Indian Act. In 2020 the Final Report to Parliament on the Review of S-3 acknowledged that residual inequities still remained in the Indian Act. These included the impacts of a family history of enfranchisement on entitlement to registration, an inequity that exists to this day. In June 2021, on behalf of 16 individual plaintiffs, Juristes Power Law launched a Charter challenge seeking to end the inequities and exclusion faced by families descended from forebears who were enfranchised under earlier versions of the Indian Act. This is referred to as the Nicholas v. AGC civil claim. In March 2022, the litigation was placed in abeyance, in order to allow the parties to pursue an out of court legislative solution to end the ongoing impacts of enfranchisement. The Department held over 50 virtual engagement sessions, which included more than 300 participants, from August to December 2022. Further consultation with First Nations, Indigenous organizations who represent non-status First Nations, and other interested or impacted individuals, will be required to co-develop options to address the broader suite of remaining issues in the registration and band membership provisions of the Indian Act. On January 6, 2025, Bill C-38 died on the Order Paper, following Parliament dissolution due to the election. Associated links Former Bill C-38, An Act to amend the Indian Act (new registration entitlements) Stay connected Join the conversation about Indigenous Peoples in Canada: X: @GCIndigenous Facebook: @GCIndigenous Instagram: @gcindigenousFacebook: @GCIndigenousHealth You can subscribe to receive our news releases and speeches via RSS feeds. For more information or to subscribe, visit SOURCE Indigenous Services Canada View original content: Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Hamilton Spectator
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Exclusive interview with Canada's first Indigenous minister of Indigenous Services
Mandy Gull-Masty has just made history as the first Indigenous person to take on the role of Canada's minister of Indigenous Services. She now steps into a position that directly shapes how programs and support are delivered to First Nations, Inuit and Métis people across the country. A member of the Cree Nation from Waswanipi in northern Quebec, and a former grand chief of Eeyou Istchee, Gull-Masty's appointment is a milestone for Indigenous representation at the highest levels of federal government. She takes on a portfolio fraught with deep challenges. Her ministry is responsible for matters like reforming the child welfare system, closing the infrastructure gap and ensuring clean drinking water and equitable services for Indigenous communities — issues that have long been points of contention between Indigenous leaders and the federal government. 'The expectation is very high of myself to ensure that I am being a role model and bringing Indigenous representation and an Indigenous voice to this space and cabinet,' said Gull-Masty. In an exclusive interview with Canada's National Observer, Gull-Masty describes how her experience as a recipient of Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) programs shapes her decision-making, how Indigenous knowledge informs her climate priorities, the immense pressure and historical significance of her role and her approach to incorporating Indigenous perspectives into federal policy. This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity. You've lived on the receiving end of these systems, and now you're leading one. How does that experience shape the way you make decisions? Being on the other side of the table as a recipient of the services that come from their department from two former ministers that I had a really good working relationship with, I can say that I felt supported as a client. I came into joining the Liberal Party because of how good that relationship was with the minister. In terms of ISC itself, I was the one signing the forms, but my staff always said this could be a lot more simple. [There is] a lot of bureaucracy, a lot of different steps to follow. These are some of the same things I've heard from other chiefs. So, for me, I think it's going to be really what this Mark Carney-led government is looking at: efficiency; offering a quality service; respectful of their culture, respectful of their identity, and that it is in true partnership with them. As the first Indigenous minister of Indigenous services, you carry many hopes and pressures — from Indigenous communities, government and the public. What is the hardest part of holding that responsibility every day? The pressure is incredibly high. The pressure is high because I think the expectation is high from those who I will serve. My focus is really for it to be carried out in a good way. And I have to share that I had one of my first meetings with an Indigenous leader. The comment that I received was, 'I never thought I would be sitting across the table from an Indigenous minister ... I never thought I would see the day in my lifetime.' So, that is really something that is very historic for me, and I want to be sure that I'm representing all my relations well in doing that role. That first meeting [with the Indigenous leader] went incredibly well, because we shared a commonality: a history of family who went to residential school, that we came from communities; our favorite dish our kookums made us when we went hunting. It was the first time I got to sit with an Indigenous leader, share that, receive feedback … to feel that connection of who we are and our identity. Really, I signalled to them that there is a change that is going to come from this department — but it is also one that is going to be very inclusive of [them]. What is something most Canadians don't understand about being a federal minister, especially an Indigenous minister? In terms of Canadians at large, it is not well understood the amount of work and responsibility that you have. You are working seven days a week, 12 hours a day. You need to have the right people around you to support you, and you need people to understand that when you're offering a solution, you need their support in being able to defend them, being able to defend what you're trying to offer them. As an Indigenous minister, I think what people don't understand — and probably even Indigenous people don't understand — is you are serving six per cent of the population. You are serving over 600 communities, 50 different nations, their own culture, their own language, their own identity — and they're all at different stages of relationship with the government. That is a huge learning curve. You're learning to be an MP. You're learning to be a minister. You're learning about your relationships, and you're learning how to have those relationships with a new representative who is of their culture. You've previously described a kind of 'trifecta' between yourself, Crown–Indigenous Relations Minister Rebecca Alty, and Northern and Arctic Affairs Minister Rebecca Chartrand — each of you focusing on different but overlapping parts of Indigenous policy. Can you explain what that actually looks like in practice? We had a really great meeting earlier this week. We have been helping, guiding, coaching one another through this process of becoming an MP, becoming a minister, sharing our visions. There's a lot of commonality, committing to each other that we will work together; having a standing meeting, ensuring that every quarter we're having a dialogue, representing and having presence with one another. I think that's really important for people to see how we are serving Indigenous Peoples — from where the future will take them to how we will build them up, serve them, carry them forward and offering them opportunity. We want to build and maximize the time that we have to work together. That's a real privilege. A lot of people worry that government 'consultation' has become more of a checkbox than real listening. What needs to change to make those conversations meaningful? We received from the prime minister yesterday our mandate letters. We are asked to look at what we're doing. How can we improve it? Make it more efficient? Modernize it? My priorities are responding to outstanding issues. The big ones are Jordan's Principle; Child and Family Services. We have a bill we're pushing through, looking for support, building relationships. It's not just me at the helm. Obligation to Indigenous Peoples — it crosses many departments, so I'm helping ministers and caucus members understand how they can support me and how I can support them. Once these steps are done, there will be a clearer way; my goal is to have a document people can read and understand, 'how I support what she wants to do as minister?' It starts with relationship-building, listening, reaching out to leadership and Indigenous nations. It's a lot of work, calls, emails, but you'll see something soon. You're new in the role and I understand you're only getting things started. But what is your broader vision for the next 100 days? When might the public see a clear plan or the document that you just mentioned? Honestly, you have to give me a little bit of grace and leeway. I can't even give you a timeline. My focus right now is getting to work on time, sleeping enough to do this job well, and responding as quickly as I can, and working to build my staff — that's really what you need to be able to respond. So there's a little bit of a grace period that's needed. But soon. Soon doesn't mean 12 months. Soon means... not two weeks, but pretty soon. As someone with some leadership experience in environmental work, what climate issue feels urgent to you? How do you plan to advance it in a system that moves slowly? I think that for me, one of the big priorities that spans across Canada is really incorporating Indigenous knowledge and the relationship with the territory. They are, what do you call that, the canary in the coal mine? They go there daily, understand when water has shifted, when Earth is different, when the forest is acting differently. That's critical information, not just from one person camping for a weekend, but based on millennia of family, lineage and information being transferred. I think that has a lot of value and should not only complement Western science, but be equated as equally important when doing planning and research. How do you balance your Indigenous identity with the demands of your ministerial role? Is there a bit of tension in blending the two? I don't think there's a need to balance it, and I don't think there's a tension. Who you are, who your identity is, is you. You can't turn that off. You're Mandy Gull-Masty, MP, and you have to have a blend of those two things. I don't feel the tension. These are people that I serve now as an MP, but there are people I have relationships with that I identify with. Sonal Gupta / Local Journalism Initiative / Canada's National Observer
National Observer
23-05-2025
- Politics
- National Observer
Exclusive interview with Canada's first Indigenous minister of Indigenous Services
Mandy Gull-Masty has just made history as the first Indigenous person to take on the role of Canada's minister of Indigenous Services. She now steps into a position that directly shapes how programs and support are delivered to First Nations, Inuit and Métis people across the country. A member of the Cree Nation from Waswanipi in northern Quebec, and a former grand chief of Eeyou Istchee, Gull-Masty's appointment is a milestone for Indigenous representation at the highest levels of federal government. She takes on a portfolio fraught with deep challenges. Her ministry is responsible for matters like reforming the child welfare system, closing the infrastructure gap and ensuring clean drinking water and equitable services for Indigenous communities — issues that have long been points of contention between Indigenous leaders and the federal government. "The expectation is very high of myself to ensure that I am being a role model and bringing Indigenous representation and an Indigenous voice to this space and cabinet,' said Gull-Masty. In an exclusive interview with Canada's National Observer, Gull-Masty describes how her experience as a recipient of Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) programs shapes her decision-making, how Indigenous knowledge informs her climate priorities, the immense pressure and historical significance of her role and her approach to incorporating Indigenous perspectives into federal policy. This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity. You've lived on the receiving end of these systems, and now you're leading one. How does that experience shape the way you make decisions? Being on the other side of the table as a recipient of the services that come from their department from two former ministers that I had a really good working relationship with, I can say that I felt supported as a client. I came into joining the Liberal Party because of how good that relationship was with the minister. In terms of ISC itself, I was the one signing the forms, but my staff always said this could be a lot more simple. [There is] a lot of bureaucracy, a lot of different steps to follow. "You are serving six per cent of the population — over 600 communities, 50 different nations ... and they're all at different stages of relationship with the government. That is a huge learning curve," said Mandy Gull-Masty. These are some of the same things I've heard from other chiefs. So, for me, I think it's going to be really what this Mark Carney-led government is looking at: efficiency; offering a quality service; respectful of their culture, respectful of their identity, and that it is in true partnership with them. As the first Indigenous minister of Indigenous services, you carry many hopes and pressures — from Indigenous communities, government and the public. What is the hardest part of holding that responsibility every day? The pressure is incredibly high. The pressure is high because I think the expectation is high from those who I will serve. My focus is really for it to be carried out in a good way. And I have to share that I had one of my first meetings with an Indigenous leader. The comment that I received was, 'I never thought I would be sitting across the table from an Indigenous minister ... I never thought I would see the day in my lifetime.' So, that is really something that is very historic for me, and I want to be sure that I'm representing all my relations well in doing that role. That first meeting [with the Indigenous leader] went incredibly well, because we shared a commonality: a history of family who went to residential school, that we came from communities; our favorite dish our kookums made us when we went hunting. It was the first time I got to sit with an Indigenous leader, share that, receive feedback … to feel that connection of who we are and our identity. Really, I signalled to them that there is a change that is going to come from this department — but it is also one that is going to be very inclusive of [them]. What is something most Canadians don't understand about being a federal minister, especially an Indigenous minister? In terms of Canadians at large, it is not well understood the amount of work and responsibility that you have. You are working seven days a week, 12 hours a day. You need to have the right people around you to support you, and you need people to understand that when you're offering a solution, you need their support in being able to defend them, being able to defend what you're trying to offer them. As an Indigenous minister, I think what people don't understand — and probably even Indigenous people don't understand — is you are serving six per cent of the population. You are serving over 600 communities, 50 different nations, their own culture, their own language, their own identity — and they're all at different stages of relationship with the government. That is a huge learning curve. You're learning to be an MP. You're learning to be a minister. You're learning about your relationships, and you're learning how to have those relationships with a new representative who is of their culture. You've previously described a kind of 'trifecta' between yourself, Crown–Indigenous Relations Minister Rebecca Alty, and Northern and Arctic Affairs Minister Rebecca Chartrand — each of you focusing on different but overlapping parts of Indigenous policy. Can you explain what that actually looks like in practice? We had a really great meeting earlier this week. We have been helping, guiding, coaching one another through this process of becoming an MP, becoming a minister, sharing our visions. There's a lot of commonality, committing to each other that we will work together; having a standing meeting, ensuring that every quarter we're having a dialogue, representing and having presence with one another. I think that's really important for people to see how we are serving Indigenous Peoples — from where the future will take them to how we will build them up, serve them, carry them forward and offering them opportunity. We want to build and maximize the time that we have to work together. That's a real privilege. A lot of people worry that government 'consultation' has become more of a checkbox than real listening. What needs to change to make those conversations meaningful? We received from the prime minister yesterday our mandate letters. We are asked to look at what we're doing. How can we improve it? Make it more efficient? Modernize it? My priorities are responding to outstanding issues. The big ones are Jordan's Principle; Child and Family Services. We have a bill we're pushing through, looking for support, building relationships. It's not just me at the helm. Obligation to Indigenous Peoples — it crosses many departments, so I'm helping ministers and caucus members understand how they can support me and how I can support them. Once these steps are done, there will be a clearer way; my goal is to have a document people can read and understand, 'how I support what she wants to do as minister?' It starts with relationship-building, listening, reaching out to leadership and Indigenous nations. It's a lot of work, calls, emails, but you'll see something soon. You're new in the role and I understand you're only getting things started. But what is your broader vision for the next 100 days? When might the public see a clear plan or the document that you just mentioned? Honestly, you have to give me a little bit of grace and leeway. I can't even give you a timeline. My focus right now is getting to work on time, sleeping enough to do this job well, and responding as quickly as I can, and working to build my staff — that's really what you need to be able to respond. So there's a little bit of a grace period that's needed. But soon. Soon doesn't mean 12 months. Soon means... not two weeks, but pretty soon. As someone with some leadership experience in environmental work, what climate issue feels urgent to you? How do you plan to advance it in a system that moves slowly? I think that for me, one of the big priorities that spans across Canada is really incorporating Indigenous knowledge and the relationship with the territory. They are, what do you call that, the canary in the coal mine? They go there daily, understand when water has shifted, when Earth is different, when the forest is acting differently. That's critical information, not just from one person camping for a weekend, but based on millennia of family, lineage and information being transferred. I think that has a lot of value and should not only complement Western science, but be equated as equally important when doing planning and research. How do you balance your Indigenous identity with the demands of your ministerial role? Is there a bit of tension in blending the two? I don't think there's a need to balance it, and I don't think there's a tension. Who you are, who your identity is, is you. You can't turn that off. You're Mandy Gull-Masty, MP, and you have to have a blend of those two things. I don't feel the tension. These are people that I serve now as an MP, but there are people I have relationships with that I identify with.
