Latest news with #MandyGullMasty
CTV News
6 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Indigenous services minister says First Nations support for developments ‘critical'
Minister of Indigenous Services Mandy Gull-Masty leaves a caucus meeting on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Wednesday, May 28, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick OTTAWA — The federal minister of Indigenous services says she and the other Indigenous members of cabinet support their party's plan to fast-track infrastructure development — despite significant pushback from First Nations leaders. Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull-Masty says Prime Minister Mark Carney has 'reaffirmed' First Nations will be included in discussions about projects the federal government could fast-track under pending legislation, and that their input is 'critical' to allowing those projects to move forward. Assembly of First Nations National Chief Woodhouse Nepinak sent a letter to Carney on Friday about legislation the federal government is developing to speed up work on certain projects with a streamlined regulatory approval process. In it, she said she fears the proposed legislation could violate the rights of First Nations people and undermine the treaties they signed with the Crown. Gull-Masty says she's 'supportive' of Woodhouse Nepinak and that she's 'pushing that conversation forward in a critical way.' Liberal MP Jaime Battiste, a member of his party's Indigenous caucus, says his understanding is that all projects being examined now already have 'buy-in' from Indigenous communities and will be the ones that are prioritized. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 3, 2025. Alessia Passafiume, The Canadian Press
Globe and Mail
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Globe and Mail
Northern representation in federal cabinet could lead to better outcomes, two territorial premiers say
Two premiers of Canada's territories say they are optimistic that the three ministers who mark significant Northern representation in the new federal cabinet might lead to better co-operation and significant projects being completed. Yukon Premier Ranj Pillai said it will make 'a world of difference' not to have to explain the opportunities and challenges of the North to federal counterparts. Northwest Territories Premier R.J. Simpson agreed, saying they will be able to get right to the issues at hand during meetings. 'The fact that we're going to have people at the cabinet table who have that knowledge and have that background and are able to educate their federal colleagues, is going to go a long way to ensuring that the decisions that are made about Canada and about the North are actually informed,' Mr. Simpson said in an interview Friday. 'To me, that's the most exciting part.' Prime Minister Mark Carney's cabinet, unveiled last week, includes Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull-Masty, whose riding includes Northern Quebec; Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Rebecca Alty, who represents the Northwest Territories; and Northern and Arctic Affairs Minister Rebecca Chartrand, whose riding is in Northern Manitoba. Buckley Belanger, named the secretary of state for rural development, represents Northern Saskatchewan. Mr. Carney was born in Fort Smith, NWT. The Liberal platform in the federal election outlined a number of priorities around Canada's North, including strengthening the presence of Canadian Armed Forces and creating a new Canada-Europe Arctic security co-operation agreement. It also promised to build more northern infrastructure, including energy projects, housing and ports. The cabinet representation is a good first step, Mr. Pillai said, but he is waiting to hear the May 27 Speech from the Throne to hear what the federal government plans for the North. 'The Throne Speech will be incredibly important to see if the platform commitments translate into the key priorities of this government as they start to work,' he said in an interview Friday. The federal government at first opted against a spring budget in favour of what it called a substantive early fall economic statement. On Sunday, Mr. Carney said there will be a full budget this fall. Mr. Pillai – who announced earlier this month that he plans to step down after a new Yukon Liberal leader is chosen – said he would like to see the federal government streamline the environmental assessment process. He is also looking to see what the Throne Speech says about Arctic security and defence, he said. The Premier said he and Mr. Carney spoke Wednesday about the need for bail reform and more health care infrastructure funding. Mr. Simpson also has a list of priorities he would like to see the federal government move forward with, including projects such as the Mackenzie Valley Highway, the Slave Geological Province Road and the Taltson Hydro Expansion Project. He said he would like to see land claims settled and self-government agreements advanced, as doing so would provide more certainty to natural resources companies looking to do business in the territory. Nunavut Premier P.J. Akeeagok has also been posting on X about his recent meetings with federal ministers. He has spoken with Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne, Ms. Chartrand and Ms. Alty, he said, where he spoke about housing, infrastructure and projects that support Arctic security and sovereignty.
CTV News
16-05-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
New Indigenous Services minister says she's been handed the ‘toughest task'
Minister of Indigenous Services Mandy Gull-Masty is shown in her office in Ottawa, on Thursday, May 15, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang OTTAWA — As the first Indigenous person ever to lead the federal department responsible for delivering services to First Nations, Inuit and Métis, Mandy Gull-Masty knows she has a daunting task ahead. But the newly-appointed Indigenous services minister also knows what it's like to sit at both sides of the table — as a cabinet minister now and, until recently, as the grand chief of the political body representing 20,000 Cree people in northern Quebec. 'I know the importance of — what the value is — when people come here to ask,' the rookie MP told The Canadian Press Thursday from behind a desk still free of paperwork in her new downtown Ottawa office. 'And I think that's really important, especially for a lot of the big files that are in challenging places right now.' Gull-Masty inherits a series of outstanding files from outgoing minister Patty Hajdu, who had served in the role since 2021. They include reforming the First Nations child welfare system and ensuring communities have access to clean drinking water and working infrastructure. While Hajdu was known for having a good working relationship with Indigenous communities, some Indigenous leaders — frustrated with the slow pace of change in the Crown-Indigenous relationship — accused her of doing too little to build consensus on those files. 'I personally, as an Indigenous person, felt that I was handed probably one of the toughest tasks because all eyes are on the first Indigenous person to do the role,' Gull-Masty said. 'The expectation is going to be very high.' When asked how she'll handle saying 'no' to Indigenous leaders she worked with so recently, Gull-Masty replied with a question of her own. 'What makes you think I haven't already said no in my relationships?' she said. 'I mean, that's part of it. 'A relationship is an exchange, and sometimes in that exchange there are things that move forward and there are things that aren't … I feel I've kind of cut my teeth as grand chief. I spent a lot of (time) also being a client of this department. So I feel I'm able to understand where are those barriers, where are those challenges that I can seek to lift.' While Gull-Masty's appointment to the ministry made history, she wasn't the first Indigenous person to be offered the job. Former federal justice minister Jody Wilson-Raybould, a member of the We Wai Kai Nation, was offered the Indigenous services ministry by then-prime minister Justin Trudeau but turned it down because she would have had to administer programs under the Indian Act — legislation she has opposed throughout her career. Indigenous leaders at the time said Trudeau's proposal to move her to Indigenous services was inappropriate, given the outsized control the federal government has over Indigenous Peoples and communities. Six years later, Indigenous policy experts say they're optimistic about Gull-Masty's appointment, even as they work through what it means to have an Indigenous woman leading the department. Hayden King, the executive director of the Yellowhead Institute, said that while Gull-Masty already has one of the most difficult jobs in the federal government, her identity as a Cree woman takes it to 'the next level.' 'The sheer volume of pressing issues that have to be addressed by (Indigenous Services Canada) is going to be overwhelming, and now that responsibility is going to fall on an Indigenous person — a Cree woman. And in some ways, that is sort of the zenith of reconciliation,' King said. 'Because now cabinet (and) the prime minister is going to be able to say, 'Well this is the person that's responsible for our inaction. This is the person that's responsible for our failure. Look, it's another Indigenous person …' It becomes a bit of a pawn, or even an alibi, for the federal government.' Veldon Coburn, an academic with McGill University's Indigenous Relations Initiative, worked alongside Gull-Masty while she served as grand chief for the Grand Council of the Crees. He praised the work she did to help improve the lives of the people and communities she represented. But 'the machinery of government moves at a glacial pace,' Coburn said, adding he wonders how community leaders will react when challenges arise for Gull-Masty. 'We could say some harsh things to whoever occupies that position, but now on the receiving end is one of our own,' he said. 'And it happens to be a very strong Indigenous woman who can't shout back, because normally we would be sitting on the same floor with Mandy … I cringe at the prospect that an Indigenous person has to say no to other Indigenous people, and what backlash that might drop. 'It's a fraught relationship. It's never been one that has been very amicable.' Gull-Masty said that, having grown up as a Cree-speaking 'rez kid,' she understands some of the frustrations and realities of living in an Indigenous community. And while most of her cabinet colleagues don't share that lived experience, she said she needs them 'to want to work with me, to be creative. 'I'm very open. I like to explore opportunities, I like to push boundaries,' she said. Gull-Masty said she has formed a 'trifecta' with new Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Rebecca Alty and Northern and Arctic Affairs Minister Rebecca Chartrand to collaborate and bring issues forward to Prime Minister Mark Carney. 'I need to feel their support, not only from the government side, but from the side of the people that I'm going to offer services to,' she said. 'And for me to do a good job, I need to be covered in their blessings, their relations, to be guided by their elders, by understanding what their youth want. 'Because their priority — my priority — is to build their next generations in the services that I offer.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 16, 2025. Alessia Passafiume, The Canadian Press
CBC
15-05-2025
- Politics
- CBC
'I work for the people,' says Mandy Gull-Masty, Canada's new Indigenous Services minister
Mandy Gull-Masty says even though she swore an oath to King Charles when she took on her new role as federal Indigenous Services minister, "I work for the people." The MP and former grand chief of Eeyou Istchee was appointed to Prime Minister Mark Carney's cabinet this week. She is the first Indigenous cabinet minister to hold the portfolio responsible for providing services for First Nations, Inuit and Métis. Gull-Masty said she understands that the role she's taking on is a challenging job. "Now I will work for all Indigenous people across Canada. It's very important but very difficult work, I know that already," she said, speaking to CBC News in Cree. Gull-Masty's husband and two of her children attended the swearing-in ceremony earlier this week. She's had conversations about what her new role means not only for her but also her family. "[When I was first elected as Eeyou Istchee grand chief], I told my family that they were in service to the Cree Nation," she recalled. They've had a similar conversation about her new role, she said. "We talked about it, I asked them about it, and told them, 'you will be in service to Canada too, not only me — we are in this together,'" said Gull-Masty. Gull-Masty feels emotional about being entrusted with this new role. She said she never thought she would work her way up into federal politics. "I always thought I would be like my mom, I would be a secretary at the band office. That's what I thought I would do when I got older. "I never thought I would be grand chief, or even be able to sit alongside members of Parliament, or even become a minister of Indigenous services," said Gull-Masty. She says her experience as the former grand chief of Eeyou Istchee gives her the confidence to embrace this new job with the same dedication. "It's important to me to remember where I come from and bring that same work ethic no matter where I go." Gull-Masty said she's received congratulatory messages from the Assembly of First Nations, Jordan's Principle, the grand council of the Cree, as well as community members from across Eeyou Istchee. "I've asked people for assistance, support, to work together, and most importantly, to communicate together, and keep me in your thoughts and prayers," said Gull-Masty. 'Mandy's appointment came at a very good time' Norman A. Wapachee, who's now the grand chief of Eeyou Istchee, emphasizes the importance of Indigenous representation at the federal level for fostering better relationships among leaders in all levels of government. Wapachee took over as grand chief last month following Gull-Masty's resignation. He is a former colleague of Gull-Masty, but also a close friend. "I've never met the past [Indigenous services] minister, but I did speak to Mandy this morning. Now I can say that was my first meeting with the minister of Indigenous services," said Wapachee. Wapachee is hopeful that Gull-Masty will bring to the ministry a new understanding of the realities of living in northern communities. "When you look at the history of Canada, there are all these non-native people in Parliament... They were from the core of society in the southern urban centres, and the northern communities never really had a voice in Ottawa," said Wapachee. "Mandy's appointment came at a very good time. It's a critical time for the Cree Nation because our agreements with Canada expire in 2028, and our negotiations will resume in 2026," said Wapachee. Looking ahead, Wapachee wants to work toward building relationships with the federal government. He cites ongoing discussions about a national marine conservation area, and the Eeyou marine region land claims agreement. "Those things will resume. So I'm happy for that," said Wapachee. Wapachee also says that Gull-Masty has strong cultural competence, enabling her to connect with northern communities in Western Canada. Her visionary leadership allows her to pursue long-term goals while collaborating effectively, according to Wapachee. "The Cree Nation government stands by her. We provide our full support. She'll be a voice for our riding here," said Wapachee.
CBC
13-05-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Mandy Gull-Masty becomes 1st Indigenous head of Indigenous Services Canada
Social Sharing An MP from Northern Quebec has become the first Indigenous cabinet minister to hold the portfolio responsible for providing services for First Nations, Inuit and Métis. Mandy Gull-Masty, who is Cree from Waswanipi Cree Nation, was named the new minister of Indigenous Services in Prime Minister Mark Carney's government on Tuesday. Gull-Masty, MP for the vast riding of Abitibi-Baie-James-Nunavik-Eeyou, is one of 28 ministers and 10 secretaries of state who were sworn in at a ceremony Tuesday at Rideau Hall in Ottawa. She'll be working closely with N.W.T. MP Rebecca Alty, who has been named the minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations. Irene Neeposh, chief of Waswanipi, around 625 kilometres north of Quebec City, found out about Gull-Masty's new role from CBC News in an interview, and said she's overjoyed. "I'm very, very happy to receive this news," Neeposh said. "I think it's crucial that the Indigenous representation is an active participant within the Parliament system of our country." In 2021, Gull-Masty was elected as the first female grand chief of the Grand Council of the Crees/Cree Nation Government on a platform that centred on governance, language and culture as well as the economy. She stepped down in March to run for the Liberal Party in the federal election. She's one of 24 r ookie MPs in Parliament. Bill Namagoose, former executive director of the Grand Council of the Crees/Cree Nation Government, said he was surprised and pleased to hear of Gull-Masty in the role and that it was "truly historic for the Cree nation and for Indigenous people across Canada." Gull-Masty is one of three Indigenous MPs sworn into Carney's cabinet Tuesday. Rebecca Chartrand, MP for Churchill-Keewatinook Aski in northern Manitoba, is minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs and the minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency. Chartrand identifies as Anishinaabe, Inninew, Dakota and Métis from Pine Creek First Nation in Manitoba. Desnethé-Missinippi-Churchill River MP Buckley Belanger, who is Métis from Île-à-la-Crosse, Sask., will serve as a secretary of state for rural development. Leaders send congratulations Manitoba Métis Federation President David Chartrand said three Indigenous people in cabinet is a good sign, but he'll be watching closely, particularly on issues of land claims and "Indigenous identity theft." "Being a new minister, will they be bold enough to quickly move on priority agendas such as the Red River Métis treaty?" Chartrand said. "That's one question I'll have in the back of my mind." The federal government signed the first-ever modern treaty with a Métis government in November, which formally recognizes the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) as the government of the Red River Métis. "It should be coming in as one of the party agendas because it was put on hold following the call of the election," said Chartrand. In a written statement, a spokesperson for the Métis National Council (MNC) said they are pleased to see Indigenous members of Parliament appointed to key leadership roles and look forward to work to enhance and advance rights, interests and priorities of the Métis Nation. "These appointments represent meaningful progress in advancing Indigenous representation at the highest levels of government and in shaping our shared future," said Melissa Lagacé, MNC's director of communications and public relations. Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, the national organization representing Inuit in Canada, shared a congratulatory post to social media welcoming the inclusion of two First Nations members to cabinet. "We pledge to work with you to build a strong and secure Inuit Nunangat, and a Canada in which Inuit and all Canadians have the opportunity to thrive," the post said.
