Highlights of First Nations talks with PM
OTTAWA - The Assembly of First Nations entered Friday's meeting with Prime Minister Stephen Harper with eight demands. Here is checklist on how they fared:
Agreed — Commitment to a high-level process on treaty implementation.
Agreed — Commitment to speed up resolutions of land claims and affirmation of inherent rights.
Agreed — Designate decision-makers within the Privy Council Office to specifically oversee the Crown-First Nation relationship.
Partial headway — Harper agreed talks on resource equity should be part of the high-level process on treaty implementation, but also need to include provinces.
Partial headway — Make funding for First Nations sustainable, in line with growth of the population. Harper agreed this would be part of the treaty and comprehensive land claims discussions.
Partial headway — Guarantee schools for every First Nation. Harper agreed education is important but didn't make firm commitments.
Little headway — All legislation needs to be compatible with indigenous rights, and the parts of Harper's budget omnibus bills that contravene aboriginal rights need to be repealed. Harper agreed the government has a duty to consult with First Nations, but will not repeal the omnibus bills.
No — Set up a public commission to focus on murdered and missing aboriginal women.
