OTTAWA — Leaders from the Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC) say a meeting between First Nations leaders and Canada's first ministers must lead to action on Treaty rights, resource revenue-sharing, community safety and longstanding issues affecting northern Saskatchewan First Nations.
Nearly 200 First Nations chiefs and leaders met with Prime Minister Mark Carney, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe and other provincial and territorial leaders in Ottawa on Oct. 26. Representing northern Saskatchewan at the First Nations-First Ministers’ Meeting, Lac La Ronge Indian Band Chief Tammy Cook-Searson used her address to raise concerns about Indian Act registration, the unresolved status of Timber Bay Children's Home survivors and First Nations participation in resource development.
Cook-Searson said Treaty promises made to First Nations must be reflected in government decisions affecting future generations.
Among her priorities was Bill S-2, proposed legislation that would introduce a "one-parent rule" aimed at eliminating the second-generation cut-off under the Indian Act. She said approximately 3,600 of Lac La Ronge Indian Band's nearly 13,000 members are registered under section 6(2), raising concerns that future generations could lose eligibility for status.
"We must end this discriminatory loss of belonging and ensure future generations can remain part of their Nations," Cook-Searson said.
Cook-Searson also renewed calls for a resolution for survivors of Timber Bay Children's Home, a northern Saskatchewan institution that operated for more than 40 years but was not included in the 2006 Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement.
She said survivors and families have been seeking recognition and a resolution for years and urged both levels of government to negotiate a settlement.
During a media availability following the meeting, PAGC Grand Chief Brian Hardlotte said First Nations leaders also pressed governments to address the impacts of the 1930 Natural Resources Transfer Agreement (NRTA), which transferred control of natural resources to the Prairie provinces without First Nations involvement in the negotiations.
Hardlotte said First Nations continue to seek greater involvement in decisions involving resource development and a share of the economic benefits generated from traditional lands.
"We agreed, we never ceded the land, we agreed to share the land," Hardlotte said.
He added that leaders are seeking renewed discussions on the NRTA and broader Treaty implementation, including recognition of First Nations as partners in major development projects.
PAGC Senator James Burns reflected on decades of advocacy for greater First Nations participation in education, economic development and resource projects. While pointing to successes in Indigenous-led education, Burns said many communities continue to face barriers to participating in sectors such as hydroelectric and uranium development.
"Up to now, we've been shut out. Hopefully, we can move forward together," Burns said.
Community safety was another major topic raised by Saskatchewan leaders.
James Smith Cree Nation Chief Kirby Constant called for expanded First Nations policing, saying culturally informed services are needed to address community safety concerns and the lasting impacts of intergenerational trauma.
The federal government announced more than $630 million over four years for First Nations and Inuit policing, in addition to ongoing funding, among several measures discussed during the meeting.
Sturgeon Lake First Nation Chief Christine Longjohn highlighted ongoing infrastructure and housing challenges facing many First Nations communities.
She said some communities continue to face overcrowded housing, inadequate infrastructure and inequities in health care while governments discuss large-scale nation-building and resource development projects.
"When we talk about building Canada strong, we need to remember that a lot of our communities don't have the infrastructure that's needed within their First Nations," Longjohn said.
Several northern chiefs also used the opportunity to raise longstanding regional issues.
Fond du Lac Denesuline First Nation Chief Ronnie Augier called for progress on the North of 60 land claim, which has been under discussion for decades and centres on traditional harvesting rights in areas used long before modern provincial and territorial boundaries were established.
Hatchet Lake First Nation Chief Bart Tsannie advocated for Indigenous Protected Areas in northern Saskatchewan and called for support for health care, policing and other services in northern communities.
Meanwhile, Cumberland House Cree Nation Chief Rene Chaboyer urged governments to support restoration efforts in the Saskatchewan River Delta, describing it as an environmentally and culturally significant region that supports wildlife, traditional harvesting activities and community well-being.
The federal government announced several Indigenous-focused initiatives during the gathering, including discussions on a potential First Nations sovereign wealth fund, $260 million over four years for Indigenous workforce development and more than $2.5 billion over five years for emergency management.
PAGC leaders said those commitments must be accompanied by progress on Treaty implementation, land claims, revenue-sharing and essential community services.
Hardlotte said First Nations leaders left Ottawa looking for governments to act on solutions already presented.
"They asked for solutions. The chiefs provided those solutions. Hopefully, there is action on those solutions," he said.
