Mandy Gull-Masty becomes 1st Indigenous head of Indigenous Services Canada

Mandy Gull-Masty, a Member of Parliament from Northern Quebec, has made history as the first Indigenous cabinet minister to be appointed to oversee services for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities. Gull-Masty, who hails from the Cree community of Waswanipi Cree Nation, was sworn in as the new minister of Indigenous Services in Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government during a ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa.

Representing the expansive riding of Abitibi-Baie-James-Nunavik-Eeyou, Gull-Masty joins a team of 28 ministers and 10 secretaries of state in the new cabinet. She will collaborate closely with N.W.T. MP Rebecca Alty, who has been appointed as the minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations.

The news of Gull-Masty’s promotion was met with great enthusiasm by Irene Neeposh, chief of Waswanipi, who expressed her joy upon hearing about the appointment. Neeposh emphasized the importance of active Indigenous representation within the country’s parliamentary system.

Prior to her ministerial role, Gull-Masty served as the first female grand chief of the Grand Council of the Crees/Cree Nation Government in 2021, focusing on governance, language, culture, and economic development. She resigned from her position in March to pursue a political career with the Liberal Party, ultimately becoming one of 24 rookie MPs in Parliament.

Bill Namagoose, former executive director of the Grand Council of the Crees/Cree Nation Government, described Gull-Masty’s appointment as a historic moment for the Cree nation and Indigenous people across Canada. Gull-Masty is one of three Indigenous MPs who were sworn into Carney’s cabinet, alongside Rebecca Chartrand and Buckley Belanger.

Rebecca Chartrand, who identifies as Anishinaabe, Inninew, Dakota, and Métis from Pine Creek First Nation in Manitoba, has been appointed as the minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs and the minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency. Buckley Belanger, a Métis representative from Île-à-la-Crosse, Sask., will serve as a secretary of state for rural development.

Leaders within Indigenous communities have expressed their congratulations on the appointments, with Manitoba Métis Federation President David Chartrand emphasizing the significance of Indigenous representation in key government roles. Chartrand highlighted the importance of addressing issues such as land claims and Indigenous identity theft within the new cabinet.

The Métis National Council and Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami have also welcomed the inclusion of Indigenous members in leadership positions, signaling a commitment to advancing the rights and interests of their respective communities. The Assembly of First Nations has yet to respond to the appointments.

Overall, the appointment of Mandy Gull-Masty and her fellow Indigenous MPs to key government positions signifies a step towards greater Indigenous representation and collaboration in shaping the future of Canada.