The Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs says the mandate she received from the Prime Minister was to accelerate progress towards self-determination.
Carolyn Bennett was in Eagle Lake First Nation on Wednesday, where she joined elders, community leaders, politicians and First Nations leaders to celebrate the 145th Anniversary of signing Treaty 3, which was inked on October 3rd, 1873.
Bennett says she will continue to work with First Nations on securing treaty rights.
She stresses the goal is to achieve a community and regional approach to allow Indigenous communities plan and write their own laws and policies.
Bennett notes when you have treaty organizations that already want to come together to do things as a group, then it begins to undo the damages of the Indian Act.
She took time to recognize Grand Chief Francis Kavanaugh for his leadership, noting the work he is doing is an inspiration to others across the country.
Bennett says she is excited to work with First Nations to start a new day and end some 150 years of broken promises.
#DYK that Treaty No. 3 was first signed today in 1873 at North-West Angle of the Lake of the Woods. Treaty No. 3 was negotiated and entered into with a number of communities within western Ontario and a portion of eastern Manitoba.
— Minister Carolyn Bennett (@CrownIndigenous) October 3, 2018
