First Nations leaders, knowledge keepers, and government officials gathered in Ottawa on Sunday for traditional ceremonies ahead of a historic closed-door meeting scheduled for Monday.
National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak led Sunday's ceremonies on the grounds of the Diefenbaker Building, where attending premiers and leaders were invited to pray over tobacco and place it at the trunk of a tree. Federal ministers including Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Rebecca Alty, Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull-Masty, and Northern Affairs Minister Rebecca Chartrand were also present.
However, some provincial leaders will not be in attendance. Quebec Premier Paul St-Pierre Plamondon and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith both confirmed they are skipping the meeting due to scheduling conflicts and other political priorities.
The high-stakes meeting arrives amid ongoing tensions between Ottawa and First Nations concerning federal efforts to accelerate major project approvals and resource development—policies that several Indigenous leaders argue could compress consultation timelines and threaten inherent rights. Ahead of the talks, the AFN released position papers focusing on economic development, health, employment, and public safety. Meanwhile, grassroots advocates and some analysts have raised concerns that the discussions might overly emphasize economics at the expense of addressing broader rights-holder concerns.
