Meeting of Premiers / Territorial Leaders and Leaders of National Aboriginal Organizations

REGINA, Saskatchewan – March 22, 1999 – Premiers and Territorial Leaders met with National Aboriginal Leaders in Regina today as a follow-up to the 1998 Annual Premiers' Conference in Saskatoon.

Premiers, Territorial Leaders and National Aboriginal Leaders called upon the Prime Minister to hold, as soon as possible, a conference of First Ministers and National Aboriginal Leaders, as recommended by the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, to discuss the Commission Report. This request, also made following the Premiers, Territorial Leaders and National Aboriginal Leaders Meeting in Winnipeg, November 19, 1997, reflects a growing concern about this unfinished national business.

At today's meeting, the Premiers, Territorial Leaders and National Aboriginal Leaders also discussed the Social Union Framework Agreement recently concluded by First Ministers, except Quebec which did not sign the Agreement. The Quebec government expressed its willingness to work with Aboriginal representatives to improve the situation of Aboriginal people in the spirit of its own Aboriginal Affairs guidelines.

The Premiers and Territorial Leaders acknowledged the disappointment of the National Aboriginal Leaders at not having been included in the discussions leading up to the Agreement.

It was agreed by all participants at the meeting that the National Aboriginal Organizations be engaged in the implementation of the Social Union Framework Agreement wherever such implementation has implications for Aboriginal people. Premiers, Territorial Leaders and National Aboriginal Leaders agreed to develop a roadmap for the three-year review called for in the Framework Agreement. Such a review process should be inclusive, start early, and include a consideration of proposals by Aboriginal organizations to strengthen their involvement in the Social Union process. All of these agreements are conditional upon federal government agreement.

Premiers, Territorial Leaders and National Aboriginal Leaders agreed that a meeting of the Federal/Provincial/Territorial Ministerial Council for Social Policy Renewal, supplemented by Ministers of Aboriginal Affairs and National Aboriginal Leaders, be convened to start this work.

Premiers, Territorial Leaders and National Aboriginal Leaders also reviewed progress on the development of a National Aboriginal Youth Strategy. Leaders noted that Aboriginal youth are a significant and growing part of Canada's population and all agreed that the design of programs and services for Aboriginal youth requires cooperation among all orders of government and the private and volunteer sectors. They directed Ministers of Aboriginal Affairs and officials to expedite work on the National Aboriginal Youth Strategy.

National Aboriginal Leaders, Premiers and Territorial Leaders reviewed work toward an ongoing process and a comprehensive approach to finding practical solutions to pressing Aboriginal issues. They also reviewed and endorsed the work being undertaken to date to develop effective processes of engagement and dialogue between governments and Aboriginal organizations.

Premiers, Territorial Leaders and National Aboriginal Leaders also repeated their earlier call on the federal government to recognize its treaty, constitutional and fiduciary obligations towards all Aboriginal people.

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