Canadian Prime Minister Carney says Canada should finally confront and replace the Indian Act
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Prime Minister Mark Carney told First Nations leaders that the government will explore options to modernise, reform or possibly repeal the deeply colonial Indian Act, and announced a consultation process to be defined with Indigenous peoples rather than imposed from above.
Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canada will examine ways to modernise or even repeal the Indian Act following a meeting with First Nations leaders and provincial premiers in Ottawa. The move reflects long-standing demands to dismantle a colonial framework that has governed Indigenous peoples through paternalistic rules for generations. He noted that the government will launch a consultation process, though the details remain to be worked out, and acknowledged that not all participants agreed with the proposal.
"I am committed to a process that moves Canada beyond the Indian Act, and I am directing my ministers to work in partnership with First Nations to chart that path together," Carney said.
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew had earlier called for the Act’s abolition, describing it as "long overdue." Carney credited Kinew’s advocacy and said the goal of any reform would be to fully modernise the governance relationship between Canada and First Nations, rather than leave Indigenous communities trapped in an outdated system.
Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak said the discussion would ultimately be decided by First Nations themselves, noting the diversity of communities across the country and the need for Indigenous-led decision-making.
During the same meeting, Carney introduced the idea of a First Nations Sovereign Wealth Fund, describing it as an opportunity for Indigenous peoples to share directly in the wealth generated by major projects such as the proposed Alberta-to-West Coast pipeline. He instructed Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne to explore the fund and its possible alignment with the broader Canada Strong Fund.
"There have been various models that have been suggested. I think all need to be explored. One could work alongside the Canada Strong Fund," Carney added.