Rick Wilson, MLA for Maskwacis-Wetaskiwin and Minister of Indigenous Relations. (Photo: UCP)

By Pattison Media Staff/rdnewsNOW

Premier issues mandate letter to Minister of Indigenous Relations

Jul 27, 2023 | 5:11 PM

EDMONTON, AB – Premier Danielle Smith has issued a mandate letter to Minister of Indigenous Relations Rick Wilson calling on him to continue building meaningful partnerships.

In her letter, the Premier outlines her expectations that Indigenous communities are a part of Alberta’s success and asks Minister Wilson, MLA for Maskwacis-Wetaskiwin, to deliver on platform commitments to support Albertans, including:

• Doubling the Alberta Indigenous Opportunities Corporation loan capacity to at least $2 billion and providing recommendations related to the potential expansion of eligible projects, including health care, manufacturing, forestry, tourism and technology.
• Working with the Minister of Mental Health and Addiction, who is the lead, to support Indigenous Peoples in Alberta by strengthening a comprehensive continuum of mental health and addiction services and ensuring service provision is not disrupted by jurisdictional disputes.
• Working with the President of Treasury Board and Minister of Finance, who is lead, to ensure First Nations and Metis Settlements have access to insurance to rebuild homes and structures in the case of fire and other insurable losses.

The Premier also tasks Minister Wilson with:

• Taking the lead on Indigenous reconciliation by using Jordan’s Principle as a guide to ensure every Indigenous person has the same access to core services as any other Albertan.
• Respecting the traditional territories and treaties of our First Nations and Métis partners and, in coordination with the Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors, who is lead, to proactively partner with communities on planning economic corridors and other major development projects for the mutual economic benefit of all.
• Working with cross-ministry partners to continue addressing violence and increase the safety and economic security of Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people.
• Continuing to build and strengthen relationships between the provincial government and First Nations and Métis communities in Alberta.
• Continuing to work with the Minister of Children and Family Services, who is the lead, on engagement with the Government of Canada and with Alberta communities on the implementation of An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families (Bill C-92) to ensure the interests of Indigenous children in Alberta are protected.
• As the lead, working with the Minister of Affordability and Utilities to review and make recommendations to accelerate the connection of First Nations and Metis Settlement communities to electricity, natural gas and internet services.
• Working with cross-ministry partners to ensure Indigenous businesses and communities play an integral role in our provincial energy strategy and economic partnerships.
• In cooperation with the Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors, who is the lead, to implement the First Nations Regional Drinking Water Tie-In Program.

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“It is the greatest honour to be reinstated as Minister of Indigenous Relations. Indigenous Peoples are vital partners in moving Alberta forward to a more prosperous future, and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to continue working in collaboration with Indigenous leaders and community members throughout the province over the next four years,” comments Rick Wilson, Minister of Indigenous Relations.

Brooks Arcand-Paul, Alberta NDP Indigenous Relations Critic, issued the following statement in response to the mandate letter:

“Indigenous Peoples living in Alberta deserve a government dedicated to ensuring the long-term prosperity of our communities and our people, in every corner of this province. While many of the goals in this letter are laudable, I seriously question Danielle Smith’s commitment to respecting and enhancing the rights of all First Nations and Metis communities.

“We cannot forget that this Premier’s first act was to pass the reckless Sovereignty Act without consultation with Indigenous leaders, an act which ultimately runs roughshod over Indigenous peoples’ rights in this province and is counter to Indigenous leadership’s wishes.

“In fact, this mandate letter simply fails to make meaningful commitments to Indigenous rights or Indigenous aspirations beyond economic or business opportunities. It doesn’t mention the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, harvesting rights, the next steps for accessing federal funding for providing equitable health care services, and it doesn’t include measures to protect our air, land, and water from exploitation or the threat of climate change.

“As for what the letter does mention: we need detailed reporting on progress and future timelines for implementing Bill C-92, so Nations are prepared to manage kids in care, and those that are not yet Indigenous Governing Bodies must continue to receive information about their children still in the province’s care.

“We need detailed reporting on the actions taken to save lives as an overwhelming number of Indigenous Peoples continue dying because of the drug poisoning epidemic and this government’s withholding of life-saving harm reduction services. We need the UCP to commit to ensuring that funding earmarked for Indigenous People is not left sitting on the table in Ottawa, forgotten in whatever their latest feud might be.

“As long as the UCP’s political rhetoric is more important than taking meaningful action towards reconciliation, Indigenous communities will continue to be underserved. We need a government that does not play favourites with Indigenous leadership in this province, and we must ensure all leaders are included in decision making, as required by our sacred Treaty obligations.

“The Alberta NDP will continue to advocate for a stronger partnership with Indigenous communities and leadership that ensures economic prosperity, equal access to services, and respect for Indigenous rights.”

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