Assembly of First Nation Chief Perry Bellegarde is calling out federal candidates to close the gap for First Nations in Canada.
He spoke at Nipissing University Monday night to bring awareness to his call for action during the 2015 federal election.
Bellegarde’s calls his set of priorities for change to elevate the standard of living for people of First Nations, ‘Closing the Gap.’
The national Chief told about 100 people in attendance that the level of First Nation’s wellbeing is far lower than that of the rest of Canadians.
He is touring Canada to educate people on his six main priorities for change while asking all federal party leaders to help First Nations get to where the opportunities are.
The Closing the Gap document sets out action items and visions for strengthening First Nations; families and communities; sharing and equitable funding; upholding rights; respecting the environment; revitalizing indigenous languages; and truth and reconciliation.
Bellegarde also wants the next Prime Minister to enact all 94 recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
He added that the Indian Act must be elevated to ensure a nation to nation relationship.
Bellegarde called on First Nations to mobilize people to vote. Liberal candidate Anthony Rota, NDP candidate Kathleen Jodouin, and Green Party candidate Nicole Peltier were in attendance.
Chief Bellegarde called for the non-indigenous community to embrace Indigenousness. “We are all Treaty People.”and he talked of his joy in witnessing non-First Nation and First Nation children at St. Alexander Catholic Elementary School.speaking Objibwe. “That is reconciliation.” "
To read Closing the Gap click the link. http://www.afn.ca/uploads/files/closing-the-gap.pdf,
