Politics · Canada · 12 hrs ago
Innu chief says N.L. must do more to repair relationship
Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Tony Wakeham met Innu Nation Grand Chief Jodie Ashini for nearly three hours in St. John’s on Wednesday.
Ashini said the province must show more respect and recognize Innu history on the Labrador Peninsula, which she says goes back more than 300 years.
The two sides have a dispute over how long Innu people have been present in Labrador.
Wakeham said he wants to hear Innu concerns, but does not intend to discuss the timeline of their presence.
Ashini said Innu people need a place at the table before natural resource projects on their land, including further Churchill River development, can move ahead.
She called Wakeham’s agreement to visit Sheshatshiu a breakthrough, and the visit is expected to be arranged in the next few weeks.
Innu Nation Grand Chief Jodie Ashini said Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Tony Wakeham must do more to improve relations with Innu people.
Ashini said respect and Innu participation are needed before natural resource projects can move ahead on Innu land.
The comments followed a nearly three-hour meeting between Ashini and Wakeham in St. John’s on Wednesday.
The Innu and provincial government have a dispute over recognition of how long Innu people have been present in Labrador.
Wakeham agreed to visit Sheshatshiu and speak with representatives of two Innu First Nations.
- Who
- Innu Nation Grand Chief Jodie Ashini and Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Tony Wakeham.
- What
- Ashini said Wakeham and the provincial government must do more to repair relations with Innu people.
- When
- Wednesday, November 4, 2026.
- Where
- The meeting was at the Delta Hotel and Conference Centre in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador.
- Why
- The Innu and provincial government dispute recognition of the timeline of Innu presence in Labrador, amid plans for natural resource development on Innu land.
Innu Nation
Newfoundland and Labrador government
Recognition of Innu history
Innu Nation
Ashini said Innu history on the Labrador Peninsula reaches back beyond 300 years and that Innu people want recognition and respect.
Newfoundland and Labrador government
Wakeham said he did not intend to discuss the timeline and wanted to listen to Innu concerns.
Natural resource development
Innu Nation
Ashini said more must change before projects, including further Churchill River development, move ahead on Innu land.
Newfoundland and Labrador government
Wakeham spoke of the need for predictability for investors and said he wants to hear Innu concerns.
Wakeham and Ashini met for nearly three hours at the Delta Hotel and Conference Centre in St. John’s.
Wakeham agreed to visit Sheshatshiu and speak with representatives of the Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation and Mushuau Innu First Nation.
Details of Wakeham’s visit to Sheshatshiu are expected to be set.
- Grand chief
- Jodie Ashini
- Premier
- Tony Wakeham
- Meeting length
- Nearly three hours
- Meeting location
- Delta Hotel and Conference Centre, St. John’s
- Planned visit
- Sheshatshiu
- Innu First Nations
- Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation; Mushuau Innu First Nation
What people are saying
We need to see respect. We need to have Innu at the table. This is our land.
We've never held it up. But at some point something has to change.
a breakthrough
What I am interested in learning is to find out exactly, and listen to what the Innu have to say, and listen to their concerns, and that's exactly what I'm doing,