Politics · Canada · 2 hrs ago
First Nations leaders prepare for historic meeting with Carney and premiers
First Nations leaders are preparing to meet Prime Minister Mark Carney and Canada’s premiers in Ottawa on Monday, in a gathering of its kind not held for more than two decades.
Tensions have grown since Carney took office in 2025, including over a law intended to speed up major projects that Indigenous leaders say was passed without enough consultation.
The Assembly of First Nations held town halls and issued papers setting out priorities on economic development, policing, jobs and health.
One proposal is a First Nations sovereign wealth fund that would pool money to build long-term wealth in communities.
Some leaders say the meeting must also address homelessness, addiction and suicide, not just economic development.
Manitoba leaders are pressing for treaty rights, governance and reconciliation, as well as economic sovereignty and consultation on decisions affecting First Nations.
First Nations leaders are preparing to meet Prime Minister Mark Carney and Canada’s premiers in Ottawa on Monday.
The gathering is the first of its kind in more than two decades.
The Assembly of First Nations has held town halls and released position papers ahead of the meeting.
Leaders plan to discuss economic sovereignty, treaty rights, governance and reconciliation.
Some leaders warn that economic development should not overshadow concerns such as homelessness, addiction and suicide.
- Who
- First Nations leaders, Prime Minister Mark Carney and Canada’s premiers.
- What
- They are preparing for a gathering described as the first of its kind in more than two decades.
- When
- The meeting is scheduled for Monday; leaders voiced priorities on Saturday, October 24, 2026.
- Where
- Ottawa, Canada.
- Why
- First Nations leaders plan to press governments on their priorities, including economic sovereignty, treaty rights, governance and reconciliation.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Assembly of First Nations hosted town halls with chiefs to discuss actions they want governments to take.
The Assembly of First Nations released position papers on economic development, policing and public safety, employment, and health.
Manitoba First Nations leaders voiced their priorities ahead of the Ottawa meeting.
The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs said it would bring its priorities to Ottawa.
- Meeting location
- Ottawa
- Meeting participants
- First Nations leaders, Prime Minister Mark Carney and Canada’s premiers
- Meeting history
- First gathering of its kind in more than two decades
- Proposed fund
- A First Nations sovereign wealth fund proposed by Chippewas of the Thames First Nation
- Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs priorities
- Treaty rights, governance and reconciliation
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What people are saying
Unless the prime minister, the premiers and the territories are going to look a little bit deeper than resource development or economic reconciliation, I worry that they’re not going to be successful with their agenda,
Our Treaties and our alliances with the Crown are agreements between Nations. They are not historical arrangements to be set aside when they become inconvenient,
We will not accept a relationship defined by promises without action. We expect to be treated as equal partners, and we expect governments to work with us.