AFN chief says most chiefs focused on other legislation, not Indian Act abolition
Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak said on 4 November in Ottawa that most chiefs at the recent meeting focused on major-projects legislation, contradicting reports that only Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew and Prime Minister Mark Carney had raised the idea of abolishing the Indian Act. The dispute follows a series of remarks that began on 26 October when Premier Kinew urged Prime Minister Carney to repeal the Indian Act as outdated. Carney later told First Nations leaders that the government would explore reform or possible repeal and announced a forthcoming consultation.
The premier’s call was met with criticism from several British Columbia chiefs, who argued the Act still provides essential protections. At a subsequent First Nations-premiers gathering, the AFN chief said the reform proposal was set aside while other legislative priorities dominated.
