OTTAWA - National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak has criticized Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government for what she describes as inadequate consultation with First Nations and cuts to federal funding for their communities. During her address at the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) meeting on December 2, Woodhouse Nepinak emphasized that First Nations will continue to defend their rights both in and out of the courts.

This afternoon, Carney is scheduled to speak to hundreds of chiefs who have gathered in Ottawa for a three-day assembly. His appearance comes shortly after the federal government signed a pipeline agreement with Alberta, which has drawn condemnation from some First Nations leaders due to environmental concerns and insufficient consultation.

Traditionally, prime ministers and their cabinets attend the December AFN meeting to assess the perspectives of First Nations leadership and respond to chiefs' inquiries and criticisms. Woodhouse Nepinak advised that Carney should arrive at the meeting with concrete commitments addressing the chiefs' priorities, including the clean drinking water legislation that was abandoned when the federal election was called earlier this year.

The ongoing dialogue between the government and First Nations is crucial, especially in light of recent agreements that have raised concerns about environmental impacts and the rights of Indigenous communities. Woodhouse Nepinak's remarks highlight the tensions surrounding these issues and the need for meaningful engagement moving forward.