Prime Minister Mark Carney says it’s time to move “beyond the Indian Act”, but that it could only happen in partnership with First Nations leaders.
Some delegates at yesterday’s First Nations-First Ministers meeting were for the idea, while some remained opposed.
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew was in the “for” category.
Holding up his own status card on stage, Kinew called for a relationship with Canada that reflects who Indigenous people are today.
He says he’s not sure race-based ID aligns with the vision for Canada, and that all First Nations have to lose is “their chains”.
Kinew proposed program based funding for Nations closer to government transfers.
AFN National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak pointed out that the act does offer Nations some protections and says they should decide how to move forward.
Skeena MP Ellis Ross also says it’s easier said than done.
Most Bands don’t have the revenue to run things like water, health care and emergency services themselves.
Ross says it would take years of negotiations, which modern treaties are already set up to do.
Carney has instructed government to look into possible reform or repealing the act, but through a co-developed process.
