Ontario Regional Chief Calls ‘Canadians for a new partnership’ a vital step forward in educating Canada about First Nations priorities

TORONTO, ON (Sept 9, 2014) — Ontario Regional Chief Stan Beardy supports the Canadians for a New Partnership announcement made last week by former Prime Ministers and First Nation leaders calling it a vital step forward in beginning a new dialogue among Canadians that will raise an awareness of First Nation priorities.

“This partnership, with the right direction and momentum, can be very successful in improving our understanding of each other and working towards reconciliation,” Ontario Regional Chief Stan Beardy said. “In our initiatives at the Chiefs of Ontario, we attempt to build bridges that will work towards a new understanding, one that will reflect our shared responsibility and provide an honest narrative on First Nations issues. This dialogue and these partnerships are vital to moving forward in a positive way because if Canadians don’t really know anything about First Nations peoples, how can they support them?”

The Chiefs of Ontario communications strategy seeks to build relationships with government, corporations and mainstream Canada while educating and enlightening them about our philosophies, our traditions, and our priorities, Regional Chief Beardy added.

Last week a press conference announced the formation of ‘Canadians for a New Partnership’ (CFNP) which includes former Prime Ministers Paul Martin, Joe Clarke, former AFN National Chief Ovide Mercredi and other high profile leaders such as former Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK) leader Mary Simon, former N.W.T. premier Stephen Kakfwi, former auditor general of Canada Sheila Fraser and Justice Murray Sinclair, who led the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC).

According to the Declaration which is available to sign online, their objective is to “…begin a new dialogue among Canadians about our relationship with Aboriginal Peoples. Canadians for a New Partnership is not here to bury the past, no matter how harmful it was, but to use it as the foundation upon which the new partnership is built. To heighten awareness and increase understanding about Canada’s Indigenous Peoples, contributions and the opportunities available for all Canadians.”

The Chiefs of Ontario is a political forum and a secretariat for collective decision making, action, and advocacy for the 133 First Nation communities located within the boundaries of the province of Ontario, Canada. Follow Chiefs of Ontario on Facebook or Twitter @ChiefsOfOntario.