Meeting of Provincial-Territorial Ministers responsible for Aboriginal Affairs and Leaders of the National Aboriginal Organizations
BACKGROUNDER: PROVINCIAL AND TERRITORIAL MINISTERS RESPONSIBLE FOR ABORIGINAL AFFAIRS AND LEADERS OF THE NATIONAL ABORIGINAL ORGANIZATIONS
PROVINCIAL AND TERRITORIAL MINISTERS RESPONSIBLE FOR
ABORIGINAL AFFAIRS AND LEADERS OF THE NATIONAL ABORIGINAL
ORGANIZATIONS
Ontario
Honourable Chris Bentley
“Today, we have taken another step toward our goal of improving the quality of life for Aboriginal peoples in Canada,” said Chris Bentley, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs. “Our work here today reaffirms our commitment to working together on a national level to address critical issues – education, economic development and ending violence against women and girls – to strengthen communities and make a real difference in lives of Aboriginal peoples.”
Quebec
Honourable Pierre Corbeil
This Pan-Canadian cooperative approach is a useful tool in shaping our mutual will to assume our responsibilities with respect to Aboriginal communities. The Government of Québec notably believes that a concerted dialogue such as the one which took place here today is an important tool in introducing measures aimed at improving the well being of Aboriginal populations.
Nova Scotia
Premier Darrell Dexter
"Nova Scotia is committed to working together with leaders both regionally and nationally to make life better for families, create good jobs and grow the economy," said NS Premier Darrell Dexter. "Only together can we increase graduation rates, reduce income inequality and address the unacceptable high rates of violence against Aboriginal women."
New Brunswick
Honourable Rick Brewer
“New Brunswick is very supportive of the Framework for Action in Education, Economic Development and Violence against Aboriginal Women and Girls recommendations. It will be up to each jurisdiction to work in cooperation with their respective aboriginal leaders, the federal government and the provinces to develop their own Action Plan. The recommendations focus on three key areas that will form the foundation for change and transformation in the aboriginal communities across Canada. This will take time but every journey begins with a step. This happens to be a big step forward.”
Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami
"Inuit are pleased to work collaboratively with our aboriginal partners at the national level and with provinces and territories to fundamentally improve the living conditions for our people. We should never lose sight of our long term objectives to bring social justice to aboriginal peoples in Canada. By doing so we enrich our nation collectively."
Congress of Aboriginal Peoples
National Chief Betty Ann Lavallée
“The Congress of Aboriginal Peoples is determined to go forward on a plan to address the challenges and promote the opportunities for Off-Reserve Aboriginal Peoples. CAP wants to work with all governments to ensure that the Off-Reserve Aboriginal Peoples of Canada realize the promise that is for all the peoples of Canada – good education, meaningful employment, and a safe and secure life without fear of violence. To volunteer one or two hours per week with an isolated Aboriginal Affairs Working Group is not the path for progress. We can only realize concrete solutions by working through a strong and supportive process involving the whole of all governments, which are equally determined to understand and with the Aboriginal Peoples, introduce solutions which will make real changes in the lives of the off Reserve and other Aboriginal Peoples of Canada.”
Welalioq
British Columbia
Honourable George Abbott
“Closing the socio-economic gap which divides Aboriginal people and other Canadians is a priority for British Columbia,” said George Abbott, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation in British Columbia. “By collaborating on key priorities at a national level while supporting the implementation of creative, innovative approaches at the regional and local level, the AAWG is moving towards its goal of improving the quality of life for Aboriginal peoples across Canada.”
Prince Edward Island
Honourable Carolyn Bertram
"The Province of Prince Edward Island is committed to working with leaders, both nationally and locally, to improve the quality of life for Aboriginal people. This work is vital to close the socio-economic gap facing the Aboriginal population, to further Aboriginal educational opportunities and to end the violence against Aboriginal women and girls. We are working collaboratively to meet the needs of our Aboriginal people across the nation."
Saskatchewan
Honourable Bill Hutchinson
“Saskatchewan is pleased to be part of the Aboriginal Affairs Working Group (AAWG) that is working to pro-actively address the many challenges and barriers that exist for Aboriginal people," First Nations and Métis Relations Minister Bill Hutchinson said. "I believe that significant progress was made at our April meeting and look forward to joining with our partners to move the agenda forward in a number of areas. We will be focusing on narrowing the gaps in the areas of education completion and economic development and addressing the serious issue of violence against Aboriginal women. Our province is proud to be part of AAWG, joined with other provinces and territories in common purpose to initiate positive change.”
Métis National Council
President Clément Chartier
“The priority areas being addressed by this working group are of great concern to Métis Nation citizens,” said Clément Chartier, President of the Métis National Council. “By embracing a distinctions-based approach, I am confident we will continue making progress in finding practical, Métis-specific measures to achieve concrete results.”
Native Women’s Association of Canada
“The Native Women¹s Association of Canada is committed to ensuring that the outcomes from the Aboriginal Affairs Working Group results in equality of outcomes for Aboriginal women and girls and for our communities and Nations as a whole. We know that if we join together as federal, provincial, territorial and Aboriginal leaders we can achieve a vision of well-being in all areas of live, including education, economic development and overall health and well-being. Our vision is one where violence against Aboriginal women and girls, including the devastating murders of our sisters, aunties, daughters, mothers and granddaughters, no longer exists.”
Alberta
Honourable Len Webber
“This meeting was another opportunity to share the great work we are doing in Alberta,” said Len Webber, Alberta’s Minister of Aboriginal Relations. “Alberta has made significant progress on every item on the agenda, including Aboriginal education, economic development and violence against Aboriginal women. Working in close partnership with Aboriginal leaders and communities is vital to addressing these important matters. Alberta recognizes that our future success depends on Aboriginal people and communities taking an active role in the province's economic development. Supporting Aboriginal participation in the economy is an integral part of The Way Forward, the Government of Alberta’s plan for a strong economic recovery.”
Newfoundland and Labrador
Minister Patty Pottle
“The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is committed to working with Aboriginal people in the province to improve their health and well-being. I am pleased to share my province’s successes in improving Aboriginal health and wellness outcomes via initiatives such as the Poverty Reduction Strategy. This gathering also provides a valuable opportunity to meet and work with ministerial colleagues and National Aboriginal Leaders to explore initiatives which have been effective in Newfoundland and Labrador, to discuss other tangible solutions in the context of two important social determinants of health - education and economic development - and to consider methods to address the high rates of violence against Aboriginal women and girls in Canada.”
Northwest Territories
Hon. Floyd K. Roland
“The Northwest Territories has long accepted as fact the importance of Aboriginal people to the cultural and economic fabric of our territory. We continue to include Aboriginal interests in every component of our government, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to build the partnerships that will allow us to advance opportunities and choices for Aboriginal peoples not just in our territory, but all across Canada.”
Nunavut
"Nunavut welcomes the resumption of this collaborative, multilateral process for developing strategies to improve social and economic conditions for aboriginal peoples. By working together to address the longstanding deficiencies in aboriginal education and skills training, economic development, and health and wellness, we will create a better Canada."
Assembly of First Nations
National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Alteo
“Today’s meeting moves us forward in setting a concrete agenda for change that includes the goal of a First Ministers Meeting. The next step is moving to set specific targets in First Nations, Métis and Inuit education, economic development and ending violence against First Nations women. Our shared commitment to move from process to tangible outcomes based on a model of partnership in recognition of Aboriginal and Treaty Rights, are the conditions for success in addressing central social-economic interests for First Nations, Métis and Inuit”, added Assembly of First Nations National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo.
Manitoba
Honourable Eric Robinson
“We are very pleased with the level of co-operation and commitment shown by the Aboriginal Affairs Working Group (AAWG) to address our common goals of closing the graduation and income gaps that Aboriginal people face in this country. As well and just as important is the determination of the AAWG to address the issues of missing and murdered Aboriginal women. The AAWG has played a key role in making that tragedy a national issue and one that all levels of government recognize must be acted on.”
Yukon
Premier Dennis Fentie