Trudeau asks Indigenous leaders in Canada for help standing up to Trump
National Indigenous leaders in Canada have been called upon by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to help in lobbying their counterparts in the United States in response to president-elect Donald Trump’s threats of imposing tariffs. The Indigenous leaders, representing Inuit, Métis, and First Nations, met with Trudeau at his office for an hour-long discussion before his meeting with premiers regarding Trump’s economic threats.
During the meeting, the leaders expressed their desire to be included in the first ministers’ meeting, but were excluded by the premiers. Assembly of First Nations National Chief, Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak, emphasized the importance of Indigenous inclusion in discussions affecting the country’s future.
While Trudeau couldn’t officially bring the Indigenous leaders to the table, he encouraged them to reach out to their contacts in the U.S. regarding Trump’s tariff threats and other concerning proposals. Victoria Pruden, the new president of the Métis National Council, shared that she is compiling a list of contacts, while Woodhouse Nepinak plans to visit the U.S. soon to meet with the National Congress of American Indians.
The Indigenous leaders highlighted that any attempt by the U.S. to interfere with Canada’s sovereignty would clash with land claim agreements, treaties, governance, and constitutionally protected rights of Indigenous peoples. Natan Obed, president of the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, likened Trump’s rhetoric to the historical concept of manifest destiny and emphasized the need to protect Indigenous lands and rights.
Despite their disappointment at being excluded from the Team Canada approach, the Indigenous leaders stressed the importance of being included in all future first ministers’ meetings and treated as equals. They expressed their commitment to contributing constructively and helpfully to the discussions.
The meeting with Trudeau may have been the last for some Indigenous leaders, as Trudeau hinted that it could be their final face-to-face meeting during his tenure as prime minister. The discussions mainly focused on Canada-U.S. relations, with an opportunity for the Indigenous leaders to express gratitude for Trudeau’s efforts in advancing the federal government’s relationship with Indigenous communities amidst the challenging circumstances.
As Canada faces potential drastic changes due to tariff threats and their impact on Indigenous peoples and economies, the Indigenous leaders are determined to navigate these challenges with a united front and ensure their voices are heard in important decision-making processes.
