Coast Salish Territory/Vancouver – The First Nations Summit notes the weak signal that the federal throne speech released today sends to Aboriginal peoples. The speech makes two references to the Aboriginal peoples of Canada: one noting the success of young Aboriginal entrepreneurs; and the other a general indication that the new government will seek to “improve opportunity for all Canadians, including Aboriginal peoples and new immigrants.”
“No substantive commitments to address socio-economic circumstances of Aboriginal peoples in Canada as a matter of government priority were addressed in the Speech. This in itself is very disappointing for Aboriginal peoples who have worked so hard to convince government officials that these issues merit a high priority focus by the Government of Canada,” said Grand Chief Edward John of the First Nations Summit political executive.