The Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians (AIAI) is supportive of the new organization Canadians for A New Partnership (CFNP). This alliance is a positive step towards strengthening Indigenous-Canadian relationships.
This corporate organization, established by former Politicians and Indigenous leaders, is an innovative step towards building the required relationships to achieve marked change for the Indigenous population.
AIAI Grand Chief, Gordon Peters stated, “There is an opportunity here to bridge the ‘relationship’ gap between Indigenous peoples and the broader Canadian society.” Grand Chief Peters recognizes this as a “necessary process in order to gain the social licence that is required to achieve positive action”.
The formation of the new partnership reflects a sweeping trend of former political leaders who are criticizing the federal government’s inaction on substantive social issues. In response they are taking strong stances to publicly champion First Nations interests. A recent example is a statement made by Brian Mulroney, former prime minister for the Progressive Conservative party, who weighed in on the debate over a national inquiry over Missing and Murdered Aboriginal Women, stating his support to establish such a commission.
In observing this recent activity the Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians recognizes the external efforts of former political leaders to pressure the failing Conservative government and welcomes new alliances that will champion a new course; one that can achieve measurable success and new opportunities to work with First Nations communities.
ABOUT AIAI
AIAI is mandated as a Provincial Territorial Organization (PTO) to defend and enhance the Aboriginal and Treaty rights of our seven member First Nations. Our member nations include: Batchewana First Nation, Caldwell First Nation, Delaware Nation, Hiawatha First Nation, Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, Oneida Nation of the Thames, and the Wahta Mohawks. Learn more at www.aiai.on.ca, on Twitter@AIAI_comms and on Facebook.
CONTACT
For more information, please contact Suzanne Morrison at smorrison@aiai.on.ca or 519.281.6238.
