First Nations leaders meet premiers and prime minister in historic Ottawa gathering

OTTAWA · Prime Minister Mark Carney and several premiers are meeting with First Nations leaders in Ottawa on Monday in a historic summit. The gathering is the first of its kind dedicated to First Nations priorities since the high-level first ministers' meetings began 120 years ago. It follows a day of ceremonies on Sunday that included a tobacco offering at the Diefenbaker Building. Premiers from Alberta, British Columbia and Quebec are not attending the closed-door conference.

Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak said the meeting is an opportunity to reset the relationship between governments and First Nations. She noted that past national chiefs were often excluded from such discussions. "We want to work toward prosperity for First Nations, and make sure that this meeting isn't a one-and-done," Woodhouse Nepinak told reporters. She emphasized the importance of starting with ceremony to ground participants in First Nations spirituality.

The federal government plans to announce new community supports for First Nations on Monday, according to the Prime Minister's Office. Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull-Masty said her role is to encourage continued collaboration after the meeting. "This is the first step in, I think, a new relationship, path forward," Gull-Masty said. She described the event as a defining opportunity for everyone at the table.

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Some chiefs have expressed skepticism about the meeting's closed-door format and agenda. Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler said he is doubtful it will meet expectations. "It seems to me that Canada is the one that's driving the agenda," Fiddler said. He is concerned that restrictions, including a three-minute speaking limit per AFN region, will prevent meaningful discussion on issues like the Ring of Fire development in Ontario.

Woodhouse Nepinak said she would prefer the meeting to be fully televised for transparency. "The more transparent and open we are with each other, the better," she said. The Privy Council Office organized the event with the AFN, and an observation room will be available for chiefs not in the main meeting. Participants in that room have been told they must surrender their cellphones.

A key topic for discussion is economic development and ensuring First Nations are involved in major projects from the start. AFN Ontario Regional Chief Abram Benedict said there are two pathways for development: with First Nations or without them. "One will seed a successful collaboration that brings benefit not only to our nations but to the province and to the nation in which we live in. And the other one will be met with resistance and court challenges," Benedict said.

First Nations leaders are advocating for a sovereign wealth fund to build long-term community wealth and invest in projects. The proposal from Chippewas of the Thames First Nation aims to give communities more authority over investments. The meeting occurs amid tensions over federal and provincial legislation to streamline major project approvals, which some chiefs argue threatens their rights. Chief Jeff Copenace of Ojibways of Onigaming First Nation worries the focus will be too narrow. "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," Copenace said. His community is facing a severe mental health crisis, and he plans to ask for direct help.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said she is skipping the meeting due to the resumption of her province's legislature and the aftermath of a separation referendum. Quebec Premier Paul St-Pierre Plamondon also will not attend, preferring to pursue a different approach with Indigenous leaders in his province. The meeting is the first major gathering between these leaders since the 2005 Kelowna Accord talks. Many chiefs say their minimum goal is a commitment to make these meetings a regular event. "This is not a one-and-done meeting," AFN Ontario Regional Chief Abram Benedict said. The Assembly of First Nations released position papers last week on economic development, policing, employment and health to guide the discussions.

With files from The Canadian Press, Global News and CBC News