Minister Carolyn Bennett meets with Beausoleil First Nation youth, leadership
Christian Island, ON (January 10, 2017)– Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Carolyn Bennett traveled to Christian Island, a small community in Southern Georgian Bay, to meet with the Beausoleil First Nation Youth Council and Chief and Council.
Representatives from the Beausoleil First Nation Youth Council (BFNYC) traveled to Cedar Point via ferry to greet Minister Bennett and the delegation.
Minister Carolyn Bennett and other Ministry of Indigenous Affairs officials sat with Chief Mary McCue-King, the Beausoleil First Nation Youth Council, and the Union of Ontario Indians to discuss infrastructure in a long-awaited meeting. In a statement to CTV News Barrie, Chief McCue-King stressed the importance of resolving the First Nation’s longstanding transportation issue, saying: “Our current vessel is over sixty years old… it’s on its last legs.”
“We’re going to be at a standstill soon if we don’t come up with a solution fast.”
Minister Carolyn Bennett committed to resolving the issue, saying: “… we’re going to make this happen.”
The meeting was also a big moment for the Beausoleil First Nation Youth Council, which has been pressing the Ministry of Indigenous and Northern Affairs for a meeting since the Youth Council’s formation in early November 2016. The Youth Council was formed with the specific goal of advancing reconciliation and awareness of Indigenous issues, which they hope will cause other First Nations youth to follow suit.
On the Youth Council’s agenda, the issue of reconciliation with Indigenous people became a huge priority.
“The main talking point was reconciliation and the need for a new nation-to-nation relationship with Canada,” Youth Deputy Chief Lance Copegog told local media.
During the course of the meeting, the youth discussed problems surrounding on reserve education, youth engagement, substance abuse, intergenerational trauma, and proposed a new path forward for reconciliation. Further, the Youth Council stressed the importance of implementing all 94 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, specifically Call to Action #66 which is specific to youth. The Youth Council hopes that, with the implementation of Call to Action #66, there will be more funding for cultural and language programs.
Youth Chief Terra Roy elaborated on that point, saying: “Without culture and language, [Indigenous youth] have no identity.”
BFNYC believes that the Ministry of Indigenous and Northern Affairs must direct funding towards culture and language revitalization if reconciliation is to be successful.
Youth Deputy Chief Lance Copegog applauded the efforts of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Minister Carolyn Bennett, and Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould to improve the lives of Indigenous people. However, he stressed that promises must be replaced with real and concrete progress.
“Reconciliation is not the end in itself, but rather a means to an end,” the Youth Deputy Chief said, directly addressing the Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs. “… that end being stronger and healthier communities, with practicing and thriving cultures, as well as a stronger and more cooperative nation-to-nation relationship with Canada.”
“We must never lose sight of this objective.”
The Ministry of Indigenous and Northern Affairs committed to continuing to work with the Beausoleil First Nation Youth Council.
About the Beausoleil First Nation Youth Council: The Beausoleil First Nation Youth Council is a political advocacy organization, formed in 2016, by six youth from Beausoleil First Nation. The Youth Council represents the youth of its First Nation and advocates on their behalf.