The Congress of Aboriginal Peoples is disappointed to see Canada’s First Poverty Reduction Strategy as announced by Families, Children and Social Development Minister Jean-Yves Duclos (Québec, Que.) on August 21 offers no new funding and continues to promote a “distinctions-based” approach that doesn’t address the specific needs of off-reserve Indigenous peoples. “We are alarmed that the current federal government continues … Read more
National Chief Robert Bertrand of the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples is attending the meeting of Premiers and National Indigenous Organization Leaders in Bouctouche, N.B. “Earlier this year, CAP was specifically excluded from this Federal Government’s Emergency Meeting on Indigenous Child and Family Services,” said Bertrand. “We are asking each of the provinces and territories not to … Read more
The Congress of Aboriginal Peoples welcomes the announcement that the NunatuKavut Community Council will enter into talks with the Canadian government to negotiate an agreement on Indigenous rights and self-determination and working toward official recognition for NunatuKavut. “This announcement for NunatuKavut represents a great step forward for Indigenous people not just in Southern Labrador but also, across … Read more
National Chief Robert Bertrand of the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples will mark National Indigenous Peoples Day by attending the Ceremony of Remembrance at the Aboriginal Veterans Monument in Ottawa. “Each year on this day, we celebrate the immense contributions that Indigenous People have made for this country,” said Bertrand. “I find it especially poignant to be present at the … Read more
The Congress of Aboriginal Peoples received the Government of Canada’s announcement of a six-month extension for the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls with mixed feelings. “While I am glad that the Federal Government has chosen to grant an extension to the Inquiry, six months is less than half of the original … Read more
National Chief Robert Bertrand of the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples announced with great sadness the passing of former CAP National Chief Dwight Dorey, who died earlier this morning in Nova Scotia. “Throughout his life Dwight Dorey devoted himself to achieve true reconciliation between Indigenous Peoples and the Government of Canada,” said Bertrand. “We offer our support to his family … Read more
National Chief Robert Bertrand of the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples states the 2018 Budget makes it clear that the Federal Government continues to discriminate by cherry picking selected groups of Indigenous Peoples for access to programs and services. Bertrand stated “Actions such as their exclusion of CAP at the recent Emergency Meeting on Indigenous Child … Read more
The Congress of Aboriginal Peoples wish to offer their support for the family of Tina Fontaine, a 15-year-old Indigenous girl who was found dead in the Red River eight days after she had been reported missing in August 2014. Raymond Cormier, 56, was acquitted by a jury of second degree murder. “There was a lack of care … Read more
The Congress of Aboriginal Peoples (CAP) and its constituency are growing increasingly impatient with the federal government’s repeated exclusion of the voices of off-reserve Indigenous People from Federal-Provincial-Territorial meetings that are detrimental to their welfare and rights. CAP has been intentionally excluded from the 2018 Emergency Meeting on Indigenous Child and Family Services being held in Ottawa … Read more
National Chief Robert Bertrand and National Vice-Chief Kim Beaudin of the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples are encouraged by Justice Peter Leask’s ruling released Jan. 17 declaring that the existing laws surrounding administrative segregation in prison discriminate against Indigenous and mentally ill inmates. “In light of the B.C. and Ontario Court decisions, CAP is calling on the federal government to … Read more
