Latest news with #SouthernChiefsOrganization
CBC
a day ago
- Politics
- CBC
Manitoba Indigenous groups unite, ink infrastructure and development agreement
Social Sharing Two Indigenous groups in Manitoba have agreed to work together on major infrastructure and development projects. The agreement comes as the federal government looks to fast-track projects across the country. The Southern Chiefs' Organization, which represents 32 Anishinaabe and Dakota First Nations in the province, and the Manitoba Metis Federation have signed a five-year agreement. It outlines their shared commitment to ensure First Nations and Red River Metis voices are included in the approval of any project proposed by the Manitoba government and supported by federal legislation. A new federal law gives Ottawa sweeping powers to speed up permits for what it calls "nation-building projects." The Southern Chiefs' Organization and the Manitoba Metis Federation say they'll work together to pursue Indigenous-led developments in areas including forestry, harvesting and traditional economies. The Manitoba government is also exploring how it would create and operate a proposed Crown-Indigenous corporation. "This agreement sends a message to all governments, partners and industry that First Nations and the Red River Metis are working together to shape a future that is led by Indigenous nations," Grand Chief Jerry Daniels of the Southern Chiefs' Organization said Wednesday. "We are forging a path towards economic independence and sustainability, ensuring the voices of First Nations and Red River Metis are integral to the design, approval and implementation of nation-building projects across this province." Prime Minister Mark Carney has said the legislation is needed to shore up Canada's economy during the trade war with the United States. Ottawa has also promised to build up northern infrastructure, in part, to meet a NATO military alliance spending target for critical infrastructure. It's unknown which projects could be fast-tracked, but the government has pointed to ports, railways and pipelines. Carney recently met with First Nations, Inuit and Metis groups to discuss how best to build projects in partnership with Indigenous Peoples. The Manitoba Metis Federation turned down Carney's invitation to discuss the legislation, after Ottawa invited another Metis group the federation claims has no reason to exist. Other Metis groups and First Nations say communities represented by the Metis Nation of Ontario have no claim to Metis heritage and that Ottawa and Ontario have no right to recognize them. Manitoba Metis Federation president David Chartrand said the legislation must move forward, as Canada deals with ongoing threats from U.S. President Donald Trump. "There's not a doubt it must arrive, because the danger that Trump imposes on all of us is very scary ... this is an economic war, and people should not take it lightly," he said Wednesday.
CTV News
a day ago
- Business
- CTV News
Manitoba Indigenous groups agree to work together on major infrastructure projects
Southern Chiefs' Organization Grand Chief Jerry Daniels (left) and Manitoba Métis Federation President David Chartrand signed a memorandum of understanding at the Forks on Aug. 13, 2025. (Glenn Pismenny/CTV News Winnipeg) WINNIPEG — Two Indigenous groups in Manitoba have agreed to work together on major infrastructure and development projects. It comes as the federal government looks to fast-track projects across the country. The Southern Chiefs' Organization, which represents 32 Anishinaabe and Dakota First Nations in the province, and the Manitoba Métis Federation have signed a five-year agreement. It outlines their shared commitment to ensure First Nations and Red River Métis voices are included in the approval of any project proposed by the Manitoba government and supported by federal legislation. A new federal law gives Ottawa sweeping powers to speed up permits for what it calls 'nation-building projects.' The controversial legislation has faced pushback from Indigenous groups that argue elements of it could be used to undermine their rights. The Southern Chiefs' Organization and the Manitoba Métis Federation say they'll work together to pursue Indigenous-led developments in areas including forestry, harvesting and traditional economies. The Manitoba government is also exploring how it would create and operate a proposed Crown-Indigenous corporation. 'This agreement sends a message to all governments, partners and industry that First Nations and the Red River Métis are working together to shape a future that is led by Indigenous nations,' Grand Chief Jerry Daniels of the Southern Chiefs' Organization said Wednesday. 'We are forging a path towards economic independence and sustainability, ensuring the voices of First Nations and Red River Métis are integral to the design, approval and implementation of nation-building projects across this province.' Prime Minister Mark Carney has said the legislation is needed to shore up Canada's economy during the trade war with the United States. Ottawa has also promised to build up northern infrastructure, in part, to meet a NATO military alliance spending target for critical infrastructure. It's unknown which projects could be fast-tracked, but the government has pointed to ports, railways and pipelines. Carney recently met with First Nations, Inuit and Métis groups to discuss how best to build projects in partnership with Indigenous Peoples. The Manitoba Métis Federation turned down Carney's invitation to discuss the legislation, after Ottawa invited another Métis group the federation claims has no reason to exist. Other Métis groups and First Nations say communities represented by the Métis Nation of Ontario have no claim to Métis heritage and that Ottawa and Ontario have no right to recognize them. Manitoba Métis Federation president David Chartrand said the legislation must move forward, as Canada deals with ongoing threats from U.S. President Donald Trump. 'There's not a doubt it must arrive, because the danger that Trump imposes on all of us is very scary ... this is an economic war, and people should not take it lightly,' he said Wednesday. He added any nation-building projects approved in Manitoba must be done in collaboration with Indigenous Peoples in the province. --- Brittany Hobson, The Canadian Press This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 13, 2025.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Manitoba Indigenous groups agree to work together on major infrastructure projects
WINNIPEG — Two Indigenous groups in Manitoba have agreed to work together on major infrastructure and development projects. It comes as the federal government looks to fast-track projects across the country. The Southern Chiefs' Organization, which represents 32 Anishinaabe and Dakota First Nations in the province, and the Manitoba Métis Federation have signed a five-year agreement. It outlines their shared commitment to ensure First Nations and Red River Métis voices are included in the approval of any project proposed by the Manitoba government and supported by federal legislation. A new federal law gives Ottawa sweeping powers to speed up permits for what it calls "nation-building projects." The controversial legislation has faced pushback from Indigenous groups that argue elements of it could be used to undermine their rights. The Southern Chiefs' Organization and the Manitoba Métis Federation say they'll work together to pursue Indigenous-led developments in areas including forestry, harvesting and traditional economies. The Manitoba government is also exploring how it would create and operate a proposed Crown-Indigenous corporation. "This agreement sends a message to all governments, partners and industry that First Nations and the Red River Métis are working together to shape a future that is led by Indigenous nations," Grand Chief Jerry Daniels of the Southern Chiefs' Organization said Wednesday. "We are forging a path towards economic independence and sustainability, ensuring the voices of First Nations and Red River Métis are integral to the design, approval and implementation of nation-building projects across this province." Prime Minister Mark Carney has said the legislation is needed to shore up Canada's economy during the trade war with the United States. Ottawa has also promised to build up northern infrastructure, in part, to meet a NATO military alliance spending target for critical infrastructure. It's unknown which projects could be fast-tracked, but the government has pointed to ports, railways and pipelines. Carney recently met with First Nations, Inuit and Métis groups to discuss how best to build projects in partnership with Indigenous Peoples. The Manitoba Métis Federation turned down Carney's invitation to discuss the legislation, after Ottawa invited another Métis group the federation claims has no reason to exist. Other Métis groups and First Nations say communities represented by the Métis Nation of Ontario have no claim to Métis heritage and that Ottawa and Ontario have no right to recognize them. Manitoba Métis Federation president David Chartrand said the legislation must move forward, as Canada deals with ongoing threats from U.S. President Donald Trump. "There's not a doubt it must arrive, because the danger that Trump imposes on all of us is very scary ... this is an economic war, and people should not take it lightly," he said Wednesday. He added any nation-building projects approved in Manitoba must be done in collaboration with Indigenous Peoples in the province. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 13, 2025. Brittany Hobson, The Canadian Press 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
National Post
17-07-2025
- Business
- National Post
Carney pitches major project powers to skeptical First Nations as advancing 'Indigenous economic growth'
GATINEAU, Que. — Prime Minister Mark Carney entered a high-stakes meeting with First Nations leaders Thursday, touting his government's new law to fast-track major infrastructure projects as having 'Indigenous economic growth' at its heart, saying he believes consensus can be reached on how to move forward. Article content Whether Carney's pitch lands with the more than 200 chiefs and other First Nations leaders who attended the gathering remains to be seen, given the vocal pushback the law, known as Bill C-5, has received over concerns about its impact on First Nations' territories and the legal obligation the government has to consult communities. Article content Article content Article content 'I don't think … that a lot of people are happy right now in terms of the way that the government has gone about ramming through legislation without respecting the current … protections within the environment, the current protections on our water,' said Southern Chiefs' Organization Grand Chief Jerry Daniels. Article content Article content Chiefs who attended the gathering came armed with concerns and questions about the government's new law, which ushers in a new process for approving major infrastructure projects from ports to pipelines. It aims to bring down the federal approval process necessary for projects to receive the green light to two years, down from the current five. Article content Introducing and passing what Carney coined as his 'One Canadian Economy' bill fulfilled a campaign promise he made during the spring federal election, where he pledged to remove all federal internal trade barriers by Canada Day and get more large infrastructure projects off the ground to bolster Canada's economy against U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs. Article content Article content Even before it was introduced, the Assembly of First Nations, the main advocacy organization representing more than 600 First Nations across the country, voiced concerns about the lack of involvement of Indigenous-rights holders in developing the bill, which it said directly impacts communities that have a constitutional right to be consulted before projects get approved. Article content Carney, who announced he would meet with chiefs in response to their concerns, has promised that the government would do so, as it decides on which projects would be deemed as benefiting the 'national interest.' Those that Carney's cabinet deems to be would be added to a list and qualify for the faster approvals process, to be coordinated through a yet-to-be-established major projects office. Article content Before Thursday's meeting got underway, Carney told reporters they are not yet at the stage of picking projects, but at the beginning stages of hearing from First Nations leaders about how best to proceed.
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bay building redevelopment could get $3.4M boost from City of Winnipeg
The redevelopment of the former Hudson's Bay Company building in downtown Winnipeg could get a $3.4-million funding boost from the city. A new report, to be considered by council's executive policy committee next week, calls for funding to make improvements above and below the sidewalks surrounding the building. The Southern Chiefs Organization is in the middle of a $310-million redevelopment of old Hudson's Bay Company building. It's turning the nearly century-old building into a mixed-use development called Wehwehneh Bahgahkinahgohn. The city has already contributed $20.3 million toward the project, including $9.7 million in tax-increment financing and a $10-million grant from the federal housing accelerator fund. Now, city staff recommend giving another $3.4 million in the 2026 budget for streetscaping, including possibly closing a northbound lane of traffic along Memorial Boulevard. Matt Dryburgh, senior manager of economic development and policy, wrote in the report the closure would allow for trees to be planted. "However, further review of the road, land drainage and transit infrastructure considerations are needed to confirm feasibility," Dryburgh wrote. The money would also pay for repairs to areaways — vacant basement spaces that extend out beneath sidewalks. If approved, it would bring the city's total funding to $23.7 million. The funding needs approval from council. The project was originally slated to cost $130 million in 2022, when the Hudson's Bay Company announced the transfer of the six-storey, 655,000-square-foot building at the corner of Portage Avenue and Memorial Boulevard to the SCO, which represents 34 Anishinaabe and Dakota nations in southern Manitoba.
