New ministers signal hope

The grand chief of the Grand Council of the Crees, Norman A. Wapachee, was ecstatic on election night as his predecessor, Mandy Gull-Masty, inched past the competition and won a seat in Parliament representing the riding of Abitibi-Baie-James-Nunavik-Eeyou.

“We had a group, and when the results came in, it was tight. Very emotional. It was like going through a roller coaster,” said Wapachee.

But the excitement of her victory would soon be rivalled when Wapachee turned on the TV this week and saw Gull-Masty standing behind prime minister Mark Carney as he unveiled his new cabinet.

“I was like, ‘What the hell?’” he said. “What is she in?”

The answer? Gull-Masty is the new minister of Indigenous Services, making her the first ever Indigenous person to hold the critical role.

Gull-Masty replaces Patty Hajdu, who will now serve as minister of Jobs and Families.

“I look forward to working with her as the minister of Indigenous Services. I’m very proud of her,” said Wapachee.

Crown-Indigenous Relations is also seeing a shakeup, with Gary Anandasangaree becoming minister of Public Safety. His replacement, Rebecca Alty, hails from the Northwest Territories, although she is not Indigenous.

“We’re working already closely with the provinces, territories, and Indigenous Peoples to identify and catalyze projects of national significance, projects that will connect Canada, deepen our ties with the world, and grow our economy for generations,” said Carney at a press conference announcing the ministers of his new government following last month’s election, which he characterized as lean and intentional.

“Canada is only one nation, a confederation based on the union of peoples - French, English, and Indigenous. Our government’s approach will reflect that reality.”

Mohawk Council of Kahnawake (MCK) grand chief Cody Diabo felt positively, overall, about the announcement of the new ministers, suggesting he was particularly pleased to see a shakeup at ISC, with Hajdu moving on.

“I’ve tried to set up multiple meetings, but she never responded or provided any dates she’d be available to meet. In terms of on the ISC side, I’m not sad to see her not there anymore,” Diabo said.

He said he was pleased to see an Indigenous person take on the role, even if he does not have much faith in the department.

“With Mandy, I have some high hopes,” he said. “Understandably, she’s walking into a big machine, a machine that in itself is designed not to advance priorities for First Nations and Onkwehón:we.”

One file he hopes to see movement on is the long-term child welfare reform settlement after a $47.8 billion agreement was struck down at the Assembly of First Nations. He had contacted ISC seeking the opportunity for Kahnawake to negotiate its own agreement after the federal government struck a deal with the Chiefs of Ontario.

“Only time will tell in terms of anything substantive,” he said.

From CIRNAC, the Seigneury of Sault St. Louis land grievance continues to be the major issue Kahnawake wants to see movement on, Diabo said.

“There’s some land that’s been held in abeyance right now that we want to work towards to get that start to be returned as well as getting the mandate across the line there, so we can actually start negotiating and having those conversations,” he said.

Mohawk Council of Kanesatake chief Serge Otsi Simon also expressed cautious optimism about Gull-Masty’s appointment.

“I’m sure Mandy Gull-Masty will do a fantastic job. She was great with the Grand Council of the Cree,” he said.

According to Wapachee, Gull-Masty brings qualities to the job that will make her an asset to Indigenous communities.

“I think for Mandy, she’s going to be able to understand and know the realities of the northern communities, and I think the representation for the Aboriginal peoples will be much better,” he said, noting that in her time as grand chief she had dealt with the federal government on critical files like education, healthcare, governance, and economic reconciliation.

She is especially skilled at bringing people together and negotiating, he said.

“Those are good qualities that will help her in her new role as minister of Indigenous Services. You can really advocate the rights of interests of Indigenous Peoples,” said Wapachee.

Another Indigenous member of Parliament, Rebecca Chartrand, was named to cabinet. According to her Liberal website bio, she is Anishinaabe, Inninew, Dakota, and Metis. Chartrand was named minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs.

While not a minister, Metis member of Parliament Buckley Belanger was named secretary of state for Rural Development, one of 10 secretaries of state named by Carney.

[email protected]

Marcus Bankuti, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter