b'SPECIAL CHIEFS ASSEMBLYChiefs of OntarioHosts Bi-AnnualSpecial Chiefs AssemblyBuilding a fair and equitable partnershipBY GENNA BENSONO n February 4th andadvance respectful government-to- The Chiefs of Ontario recognize that 5th, 2020, the Chiefsgovernment relationships that supportthe need to establish a renewed relation-of Ontario hosted theirreconciliation and self-determination.ship between Indigenous governments bi-annual Special ChiefsThe Chiefs-in-Assembly were alsoand Canada is of the utmost importance Assembly on the unceded territory ofable to share insight into the chal- for our future generations, and welcomes the Algonquin Nation in Ottawa, Ont.,lenges faced by First Nations to variousthese discussions to ensure our voices are with various First Nations leadership,Ministers in the new federal cabinet, technicians and government officials insuch as Honourable Marc Miller, attendance. This two-day conferenceMinister of Indigenous Services Canada, provided those present with an oppor- Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister tunity to raise several issues, includingof Crown-Indigenous Relations, the UN declaration, the federal govern- Honourable David Lametti, Minister of ments forthcoming action plan onJustice and Attorney General of Canada, the National Inquiry into Missing andHonourable Bill Blair, Minister of Public Murdered Indigenous Women and GirlsSafety and Emergency Preparedness, and the overhaul of the Indigenous childand Jagmeet Singh, leader of the New welfare system.Democratic Party (NDP). There was This Special Chiefs Assembly offereda clear focus on improving federal those in attendance with a face-to-faceand provincial engagement with First opportunity to continue on the pathNations in Ontario, along with moving towards building a fair, just and equit- forward and making fundamental and able partnership where First Nationssystemic changes to ensure the safety and and all levels of government are workingsecurity of Indigenous women and girls together towards a common goal: toin Ontario.Minister David Lametii - Photo Couresty of Ira Timothy'