OTTAWA — Prime Minister Mark Carney will address hundreds of First Nations chiefs gathered in Ottawa today for the December meeting of the Assembly of First Nations.

Carney’s appearance before the chiefs could be a tense moment, coming just days after Ottawa signed a pipeline agreement with Alberta, which some First Nations leaders have condemned over a lack of consultation and environmental risks.

“Canada is at a crossroads in its relationship with First Nations,” Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak told The Canadian Press.

“Our rights are being threatened in new ways, but we’re not afraid. Far from it. First Nations across the country are stronger than ever.”

Prime ministers and their cabinets traditionally attend the December meeting to gauge the outlook

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