Premiers, Indigenous leaders cover youth, economy at Big River FN

The first day of historic Canadian premiers meetings, officially known as the Council of the Federation (CoF), wrapped up on the Big River First Nation on Tuesday.

For the first time, the premiers met with Indigenous leaders on First Nation land.

After celebrations to welcome the dignitaries to the community, the scene shifted to the closed-door meeting between the leaders.

A major focus was directed at Indigenous youth; Assembly of First Nations Chief Perry Bellegarde stressed the need to protect them.

“We’re going to be talking about many issues, but there’s one that we all said is a priority, and it’s our little ones that are still in foster care,” he said.

Bellegarde said 40,000 are in foster care.

The meetings took a short break throughout the day for more celebrations in the community.

The Big River First Nation gifted hand-sewn medallions, along with customized moccasins for each dignitary in attendance.

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe received a large blanket from the community, prior to the second half of the meetings starting.

After the meetings commenced, a press conference was held where Moe, Bellegarde, and Big River Chief Bruce Morin each made a statement and answered questions.

The focus

Aside from Bellegarde raising the issue of Indigenous youth, Moe highlighted a few other things that were debated: Child and family legislation, community engagement and engagement with the economy.

“There isn’t a one-size-fits-all with (community engagement). Understanding that we need to work hard as provincial leaders to engage with, not only our Aboriginal communities but communities across the province,” Moe said.

When it comes to engagement with the economy, he said it all came back to working together to grow the entire sector.

He noted that Big River’s forestry economy is doing well, and how it has used the profits to fund the future generations.

Morin was thankful for co-hosting the event.

“(It) was an eye-opener,” he said. “Being able to sit at a meeting of (such importance). Listening to the dialogue that they have and realizing that a lot of the issues that we have in areas like our First Nation community are similar.”

He said he sees a lot of hope, and that this meeting would be helpful for the community moving forward.

Getting the conversation going, again

After boycotting the CoF, the Assembly of First Nations was back for the first time since the standoff began in 2017.

Bellegarde said that when it comes to meetings that include the federal and provincial levels, Indigenous people’s voices should be “at all those decision-making tables.”

When asked if he plans to come back next year, Bellegarde’s response hinged on who would be hosting the event.

“It depends who hosts it. If it’s out on First Nations territory, it (wouldn’t look good) for the AFN National Chief not to be out at Big River (this year). It depends who hosts it next year,” he said.

Bellegarde continued to speak about how there is still a gap between the two parties, but said Tuesday’s discussions help to close that gap.

One day down, two to go

Everything is to begin again on Wednesday for CoF, as meetings turn to the Bessborough Hotel in Saskatoon.

Nine of the 13 premiers were in attendance on Tuesday. Ontario’s Doug Ford, Stephen McNeil from Nova Scotia, P.E.I.’s Dennis King and Dwight Ball of Newfoundland and Labrador weren’t in attendance.

Ford was represented by Indigenous Affairs Minister Greg Rickford during Tuesday’s meetings.

The conference wraps up on Thursday at the Bessborough.