First Nations groups upset with exclusion from health-care funding talks – CBC

‘There is no reconciliation for First Nations when we continue to be excluded from these crucial discussions’

Jan 26, 2023

First Nations groups are criticizing their exclusion from an upcoming meeting between federal, provincial and territorial governments aiming to reach a funding deal to improve the country’s ailing health-care system.

The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) in Saskatchewan said in a Thursday news release both it and the national Assembly of First Nations (AFN) are “dismayed” by the snub.

“Our people and their government were here before the provincial borders were even formed,” said FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron in the release.

“There is no reconciliation for First Nations when we continue to be excluded from these crucial discussions and decision-making processes.”

Trudeau announced this week he plans to host a first ministers’ meeting in Ottawa next month to try and reach a much-anticipated deal. First ministers’ meetings under Trudeau’s Liberals have previously included Indigenous leaders.

Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/fsin-afn-exclusion-health-care-talks-1.6727547