Post by @globeandmail

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew says he has called for the elimination of the Indian Act during Monday’s landmark meeting between Ottawa, premiers and First Nations leadership. Mr. Kinew said he raised the issue behind closed doors. “I think it’s time to abolish the Indian Act,” he said. “I think it’s long overdue that we have a relationship with Indigenous peoples in Canada that reflects who we are as Canadians today.” First Nations leaders have long criticized the Indian Act as a racist and paternalistic piece of legislation, but a widely accepted alternative has yet to emerge. Over the years, various federal bills have provided First Nations with the ability to opt out of provisions of the act. “I think we have an open-minded Prime Minister, and I think there’s many chiefs who would like to see the Indian Act done away with. But of course, what comes next is always the question,” Mr. Kinew said. The federal government’s relationship with First Nations is central to the success or failure of several major natural-resource and infrastructure projects it wishes to fast-track. #Canada #CdnPoli #Manitoba