Statement on Crown-First Nations Gathering
on Jan 24 in Latest Press Releases by adminStatement on the first Crown-First Nations Gathering held in Ottawa, ON on January 24, 2012
Since 8:30am this morning, Prime Minister Stephen Harper is participating in the much-anticipated Crown-First Nations Gathering, which is meant to bring together representatives of both the federal government and First Nations in order to provide, in the words of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Minister John Duncan, “an opportunity for a practical and frank discussion on how we can work together to improve the quality of life and economic prosperity of First Nations in Canada.” (The rest of John Duncan’s statement can be read here).
Along with Prime Minister Harper and Minister Duncan, Governor-General David Johnston and Assembly of First Nations National Chief Shawn Atleo are also attending this Crown-First Nations Gathering, which is being held at the John. G Diefenbaker Building on Sussex Drive, in Ottawa.
The Macdonald-Cartier Society has been closely following this meeting as it develops. SMCS’ Founder, Immanuel Giulea said this morning,
“In light of recent events such as the Attawapiskat crisis, the expectations for this Gathering are quite high. All my hopes are that the meeting today is the first step to finally completing Confederation, 145 years after the process was started in 1867. I agree with Mark Starowicz who recently wrote in the Globe and Mail that ”The Confederation project is incomplete. As we approach our 150th anniversary as a nation, and as we prepare to celebrate who we are, there’s still time to imagine who we could become.”
Yesterday, Senior Adviser Joseph Quesnel was interviewed on the Sun News Network about his views on the Crown-First Nations Gathering. His interview can be seen here:
Joseph Quesnel on Sun News
A more complete reaction will follow after the meeting concludes this afternoon.
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