Kiiwetinoong MPP Sol Mamakwa has some strong words for the provincial government, specifically Premier Doug Ford, in response to a recent cabinet shuffle.
The Indigenous Northern Ontario member of parliament said that the recent move to combine the ministries of Northern Development and Mines (MNDM) and Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) with the Ministry of Indigenous Affairs (IAO) “undermines Indigenous interests.”
In a statement dated July 12, Mamakwa noted the cabinet shuffle’s timing. “On June 18, 2021, while all attention was focused on finding our children’s hidden graves, Doug Ford announced a cabinet shuffle which would set the stage to further undermine our Indigenous inherent rights and jurisdiction,” he said.
Mamkwa said the combination of the ministries “should cause us to pause and reflect on what that means.”
He is referring to an issue he calls problematic, that the government of Ontario would once again reduce the responsibility for Indigenous issues “under two larger ministries focused on land and resource extraction.”
With “once again,” Mamakwa is referring to the 2018 move in which the Ontario government relegated the Ministry of Indigenous Affairs to just one other responsibility for Kenora-Rainy River MPP Greg Rickford. Rickford is the so-called “super” minister because he is responsible for the ministries of Northern Development and Mines and Energy, on top of Indigenous Affairs.
As of June 18, the Kenora-Rainy River MPP was made head of the now three ministries, MNDM, MNRF, and the Indigenous Affairs Office (IAO).
Mamakwa also takes issue with the recent IAO budget cuts. “While Ford attempts to appease us by calling Indigenous people his ‘friends,’ this government has shown their true intentions by unapologetically slashing the Indigenous Affairs budget and leaving behind any First Nations who are not willing to fall into line with provincial direction in resource development discussions and negotiations,” stated Mamakwa.
Mamakwa recalls the Recommendations of the Ipperwash Inquiry in his statement, asking why the provincial government does not follow the aspects that are requirements for them, “including having a Ministry of Indigenous Affairs with a dedicated minister, not one split between multiple ministries,” said Mamkwa.
The Ipperwash Inquiry surrounded the death of Anthony O'Brien (Dudley) George, who was shot and killed by an Ontario Provincial Police officer during a protest at Ipperwash Provincial Park in 1995.
Mamakwa states, “What happens when there is a conflict-of-interest between the aims of the resource industries and Indigenous communities?”
He also once again questions what Ford’s plans are for Indigenous people in Ontario. “As we weigh the potential benefits of resource development alongside the health of our land and our people,” said Mamakwa, “let us consider what it means to be the premier’s Indigenous ‘friends,’ as he slashes the Indigenous Affairs budget and disregards the duty to consult all impacted First Nations.”
