Latest news with #treaties
National Post
27-05-2025
- Business
- National Post
Chiefs tell King Charles to remember his treaty obligations
OTTAWA — Dozens of First Nations leaders from across the country gathered in front of Parliament Hill this week with a message for the King as he arrived in Ottawa: respect your treaty partners. Article content Article content Treaties were 'meant to be a respectful relationship where we could continue to live our lives, practise our inherent rights of hunting, trapping, fishing and trade amongst one another,' said Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations Vice Chief David Pratt in front of a teepee erected on the lawn. Article content 'It was not meant to be what it is today, which is the oppression of our people. We want to remind the King our chiefs want to see him. Our chiefs want to see the King to remind him of his obligations under treaty.' Article content King Charles and Queen Camilla were in Ottawa Monday and Tuesday for their first visit to Canada since the King's coronation two years ago. Parliament opened Monday and MPs voted to elect the new Speaker of the House of Commons, with the Throne Speech being read on Tuesday. Article content In addition to Prime Minister Mark Carney and Gov. Gen. Mary Simon both scheduled to have audiences with the King and Queen, the royal couples also held audiences with the leaders of three national Indigenous organizations: Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami President Natan Obed and Metis National Council President Victoria Pruden. Article content 'We are getting ready to move ahead and move forward with our relationship with the Crown,' Wilson said. Article content 'And what that means is Canada is no longer making decisions for our people. That's something we've been dealing with for generations… There needs to be a renewed relationship with Canada. They need to understand our rights as First Nations people.' Article content Article content The assembled First Nations leaders said they also want the federal Liberals to take action on reforming the child welfare system, protecting traditional lands and building infrastructure desperately needed in Indigenous communities. Article content 'There's billions, if not trillions of dollars taken out of our territories every year. None of it comes back to our nations,' said Grand Chief of Treaty 8 First Nations Trevor Mercredi. Article content 'We all have issues at home, but we're here today to fight for the most important issue of all, and that's our treaties. It's about time the King, the prime minister and premiers fully understand. And if it takes lawsuits for them to fully understand, that's what we'll do once again.' Article content
CBC
14-05-2025
- Politics
- CBC
There is strength in unity,' says head of Métis nation in Alberta
Andrea Sandmaier, president of Otipemisiwak Métis Government, says she understands why Albertans may feel neglected or ignored by the federal government, but that the rights of Indigenous peoples and treaties with them must be respected.
