Assembly First Chief Phil Fontaine says he hopes his group and the council composed of premiers and territorial leaders can present a united front to Prime Minister Stephen Harper. The objective would be to press the federal government to craft a plan to address problems with education and living conditions in native communities.
The assembly is meeting in
Premier Jean Charest says the federal government's recent apology to natives who were sent to residential schools is a sign of a new era in relations with aboriginal communities.
Charest says a meeting this week with aboriginal leaders will touch on the economy, education and the application of the United Nations charter on the rights of native people.