Singh pledges support for First Nations communities at AFN’s annual assembly

OTTAWA – On Wednesday, Canada’s NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh addressed the Assembly of First Nations Special Chiefs and recommitted to pushing for First Nations-led solutions for housing, the climate emergency, and funding to end violence against Indigenous women and girls. He also recognized the outstanding work that New Democrat MPs have done fighting for change for their communities.

“In many First Nations communities, people don’t have access to basic services. They don’t have clean drinking water, and families are forced to beg for help to find their missing loved ones. People must travel away from their community to get the health care services they need,” said Singh. “New Democrats firmly believe that everyone should be able to access the care they need when they need it.”

While the Liberal government continues to leave First Nations communities behind, New Democrats are committed to working with the AFN to include Traditional Healing within the Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) program, implement Joyce’s Principle and to make sure First Nations women and girls are safe by improving access to culturally appropriate education, transportation, and cell phone services. Singh also spoke to the leadership of New Democrat MPs Lori Idlout, Leah Gazan, and Blake Desjarlais in the House of Commons and in their communities, pushing to make First Nations issues a priority for the federal government.

“Fundamental services are human rights, enshrined for Indigenous peoples in their inherent rights and laws like the United Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People,” said Singh. “My team and I will keep fighting to deliver better results in the next budget for First Nations communities. The work is not over.”