Both Metis Nation-Saskatchewan and the Saskatoon Tribal Council are welcoming the federal government’s new Indigenous Services Minister, Mark Miller. STC Chief Mark Arcand says he looks forward to working with Miller on the critical issues facing First nations people in Saskatoon and the STC communities. He lists Child and Family Services legislation and addressing the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal Case in a meaningful, not a colonial, way among them. He says they are immediate priorities.

Arcand congratulates Carolyn Bennett, who continues on as Indigenous Relations Minister, saying the STC has a strong relationship with her and will continue to work with her on reconciliation. MN-S President Glen McCallum says great strides have been made in recognizing the MN-S as an independent government through Minister Bennett and he looks forward to continued work on that goal.

Chief Arcand says it’s somewhat disappointing that there is only one Indigenous voice, Northern Affairs Minister Dan Van Dal, at the Cabinet table. He hopes to see inclusive processes set up to hear First Nation voices across the country.