First Nations leaders voice priorities ahead of historic meeting in Ottawa

First Nations leaders are preparing to meet with Prime Minister Mark Carney and the nation’s premiers, the first gathering of its kind in more than two decades.

Tensions between First Nations leaders and the Government of Canada have risen since Carney was elected in 2025, including over legislation that was passed to streamline development of major projects.

Some Indigenous leaders criticized the legislation over a lack of consultation, saying it posed a threat to reconciliation.

The Assembly of First Nations has been preparing for the meeting for months by hosting town halls with chiefs to discuss the actions they want to see governments take.

The AFN released a series of position papers last week on economic development, policing and public safety, employment, and health.

One of the main goals for First Nations leaders is a First Nations sovereign wealth fund. The fund, proposed by Chippewas of the Thames First Nation, would pool capital to ensure First Nations can build long-term wealth in their communities.

Other leaders worry that if the meeting focuses solely on economics, other concerns like homelessness, addiction and suicide may not get the attention they deserve.

“Unless the prime minister, the premiers and the territories are going to look a little bit deeper than resource development or economic reconciliation, I worry that they’re not going to be successful with their agenda,” Jeff Copenance, the chief of Ojibways of Onigaming First Nation, said.

Alberta’s recent referendum shed light on the inclusion of First Nations in decision making after First Nations in the province said there were “unnecessary obstacles” to being able to vote.

Siksika Nation said that while it was pleased with the outcome of the referendum, the polling station in its community was understaffed and it did not receive enough ballots from Elections Alberta.

The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) said it will be bringing its priorities to Ottawa on Monday, with a focus on treaty rights, governance and reconciliation.

The AMC said it will be pressing for action on economic sovereignty while making sure that First Nations are consulted in all decisions affecting them.

“Our Treaties and our alliances with the Crown are agreements between Nations. They are not historical arrangements to be set aside when they become inconvenient,” said Grand Chief Kyra Wilson. “We will not accept a relationship defined by promises without action. We expect to be treated as equal partners, and we expect governments to work with us.”

Wilson said the purpose of the meeting is to develop next steps for how Canada and First Nations leadership can work together moving forward.

“We know that one meeting is not going to resolve longstanding issues that we continually deal with every single day,” she said, adding that participation in the meeting is not consent to any major project or decision.

“The true testament of this meeting and the outcome of this meeting is not the meeting itself. It’s going to come in the action and the commitments that are followed through on in the days, weeks, months and years following October 26th,” Chief Tréchelle Bunn, of the Birdtail Sioux Dakota Nation, said Saturday.

She said she is hoping to share a message with the prime minister demanding accountability following a July 2024 apology to the Dakota and Lakota nations for “generations and decades of discrimination, exclusion, and misrepresentation of our people” that she said has not been followed up with action.

The AMC said it is “sad” that all Chiefs will not be provided the opportunity to speak at the meeting, and while each nation has their own priorities and concerns, the issues of sovereignty, treaty rights and governance affect them all.

“We are not opposed to responsible economic development. We want our people to prosper. We want investment, employment, business opportunities and ownership, and a fair share of the well-generated from our territories,” Chief David Monias of the  Nation at Pimicikamak Okimawin said Saturday. “They keep saying that this is about sharing. Well where’s our share of the wealth?”

The chief said he wants to see Bill 39, which fast-tracks major project approvals, repealed.

“Equity is an important opportunity and it’s not a substitute for our rights,” he said.

The AMC said their message is not one of confrontation, but an invitation to build a better relationship between First Nations leadership and the Government of Canada.

Chief Monias used Carney’s own words to express the importance of including First Nations in the decision-making process: “If we are not at the table, we’re on the menu.”

– With files from The Canadian Press

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