The provincial government has accepted that separate, one-on-one talks with First Nations about social programs should be conducted as group negotiations, with all the First Nations acting in partnership with each other.

All 15 First Nations confirmed on Wednesday they wanted to negotiate as a collective, rather than separately, and that they were unified in their approach to negotiations and in their focus on funding for social programs benefitting the First Nations and their members.

Premier Blaine Higgs said “To see all 15 First Nations come together like this is a very positive step. They have a clear focus on ensuring negotiations benefit every community and everyone in those communities. It has always been my hope that all First Nations throughout the province would benefit equally, and this new proposal may, indeed, make this a reality.”

Aboriginal Affairs Minister Arlene Dunn has confirmed acceptance of this request through a letter to the chiefs.

Dunn said the government is committed to an Indigenous-led beginning to these negotiations, through the chiefs’ identification of needs, and looks forward to meaningful negotiations with the 15 First Nations collectively.