GINOOGAMING FIRST NATION — The federal and provincial governments are speaking up.
Greg Rickford, minister of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations economic reconciliation, and Patty Hajdu, minister of Indigenous Services Canada, have responded to comments made by Ginoogaming First Nation’s Chief Sheri Taylor about a lack of “decision-makers” meeting with her to discuss her community’s ongoing state of emergency.
Earlier this month Dougall Media caught up with Chief Taylor to discuss Ginoogaming’s recently announced roadway and drainage rehabilitation project that broke ground on July 30.
Taylor said she met with an acting assistant deputy minister from the premier’s office on July 9 but she criticized a lack of key decision-makers at the table.
“They were more or less technical people.
"We met with them, and I provided a plan. I provided things that we needed to get done right away for the safety of our community, the safety of our children . . . I gave them a plan,” she said.
Dougall Media shared Taylor’s comments with Rickford at a recent event in Dryden. He said there has been follow-up with Chief Taylor since the July 9 meeting.
“We’re there for the community – the trials and tribulations that they may be going through. We see the opportunity in the Greenstone region and we want to make sure their young people have every opportunity to take advantage of that. That’s the message I sent to Chief Taylor when we were there.
“Our officials are meeting with them so that we can plan a working political meeting and address some specific pieces. A lot of our work is involved in the four First Nation communities most proximal to Greenstone but we’ve heard Chief Taylor loud and clear and we’re going to zero in on some specific matters that our officials are working through with them right now.
“I’ll be meeting with Chief Taylor. I’m a decision maker. She’s a decision maker. We’ll make decisions,” he said.
In terms of the federal government, Taylor said she’d heard nothing as of Aug. 8.
Previously, Hajdu said the Indigenous Services Canada had “been at the table” and pledged to work with Chief Taylor to address concerns within the federal government’s jurisdiction.
In a statement shared by Jennifer Kozelj, Hajdu’s press secretary, the minister reaffirmed her commitment to Ginoogaming.
“We have, and we will continue to be there for Ginoogaming First Nation,” the statement reads.
Hajdu's statement highlighted $600,000 the federal government has contributed to peacekeeping efforts during this crisis and over half a billion dollars the Canadian government and ISC have put towards Nishnawbe Aski Nation’s Choose Life program to support mental wellness in NAN communities.
“We stand ready to increase help to the community. Canada can provide significant funding through Jordan’s Principle. We are waiting for the necessary information from community leadership to proceed. A July 18 meeting to discuss this was cancelled upon their request.
“The Government of Canada stands ready to support Ginoogaming now and into the future as they work to address the challenges they face.
“We will continue to work with the Government of Ontario on policing and road access to the community,” the statement reads.
