McGuinty Meets with Six Nation but Continues to refuse to meet Caledonia Residents

Chiefs of Ontario Members, with Provincial Minister of Aboriginal Affairs David Ramsey and Premier Dalton McGuinty at the Annual Meeting of First Nations and Metis Nations of Ontario – Queens Park February 6, 2007

Twenty Minute Meeting At Queens Park. “It Is Not Enough Time” 02/06/07"

Souce: http://www.sixnations.ca/

Tuesday morning’s meeting with Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty and the Chiefs of Ontario could be interpreted as a genuine but apprehensive approach by the Ontario Government to work together with Ontario First Nations issues.

The Chiefs of Ontario, including Six Nations Elected Chief David M.General listened intently to opening remarks by the Premier but were not completely sold on Ontario’s commitment to “working together.”

Every year, First Nations and Metis Nations are given one hour to discuss First Nations and Metis issues. “This is not enough time,” says Chiefs of Ontario, Regional Chief Angus Toulouse during his twenty minute address to the Premier. First Nations Issues brought forth included Ontario First Nations Limited Partnership gaming and Casino Rama issues, Ipperwash inquiry, Provincial and First Nations consultation process, Revenue Sharing, and a request from the Chiefs asking Primer McGuinty to have a more personal and direct involvement in Aboriginal issues.

It was suggested by the Chiefs of Ontario that a need for a two-day summit should be entertained as all the Chiefs were in agreement that the time allotted was not conducive to healthy relationship building between the Province and First Nations. The Premier was receptive to the Chiefs request for a summit scheduled for later this year.

After listening to the concerns of the Chiefs, Premier McGuinty again identified that there are many issues that needed to be discussed, and that a continued support system between the Province and First Nations should be dedicated to learning, sharing, and a working approach.

Upon conclusion of the short meeting Regional Chief Toulouse said, “A commitment to more dialogue is always positive. The Premiers’ willingness to look at the Summit, looking at discussions with the Chiefs of Ontario is a step in the right direction.”