On May 2, 2024 in Ottawa, ON, Grand Chief Jackson Lafferty and Chief Clifford Daniels met with Indigenous leaders from Modern Treaty Holders and Self-Governing Indigenous Governments from across Canada, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Anandasangaree, Justice Minister Virani, Mental Health & Addictions Minister Saks, Indigenous Services Canada Minister Hajdu, Emergency Preparedness Minister Sajjan, Northern Affairs Minister Vandal, and Minister Canadian Heritage Minister St-Onge.

The meeting was the Intergovernmental Leaders Forum (formerly known as the Prime Minister’s Forum). Many items were discussed including the toxic drugs crisis, implementation of jurisdiction, fiscal resourcing for self-governments and other priority areas for modern treaties.

Tłı̨chǫ Government was pleased to receive Prime Minister Trudeau’s announcement to establish a Commissioner for Modern Treaty Implementation. This commission is an initiative that Tłı̨chǫ Government has been advocating for since co-founding the Land Claims Agreement Coalition nearly two decades ago. Through hard work and collaboration with other modern treaty holders and the Government of Canada, the proposal for establishing the Commission was co-developed between all governments. As Prime Minister Trudeau said, the new commissioner will ensure government is held to account on implementing modern treaties including the Tłı̨chǫ Agreements, regardless of who is in power in Ottawa. “This is a lasting commitment to be a better treaty partner.” It is an important step forward in renewing Crown-Indigenous relations.

Tłı̨chǫ Grand Chief Jackson Lafferty says, “The Commissioner for Modern Treaty has been decades in the making. This is an exciting moment that our hard work together has paid off, and this important mechanism for accountability and oversight will be established. I would like to say masìcho to all of the governments who have invested their hard work into making this a reality. We are looking forward to getting support from leaders across Canada on the passing of the legislation to establish the commission in the months to come.”

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was gifted a painting of Monfwi that was created to celebrate the 100th year Anniversary of Treaty 11, by Tłı̨chǫ Artist Darrell Chocolate.

For more information about the Commissioner for Modern Treaty Implementation announcement or the Intergovernmental Leaders’ Forum please visit this link: https://www.pm.gc.ca/en/news/news-releases/2024/05/02/advancing-reconciliation-new-commissioner-modern-treaty-implementation