National Chief Bellegarde calls on Canada to make reconciliation real – Winnipeg Free Press

MONTREAL – National Chief Perry Bellegarde is urging First Nations and other Canadians to push for reconciliation at the polls this fall.

In the first keynote address to the Assembly of First Nations annual meeting, Bellegarde said First Nations voters need to make themselves heard on Oct.19.

The advocacy group has identified at least 51 ridings across the country that could be decided by active First Nations participation.

Bellegarde said now is the time to mobilize because the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s recent report has captured the attention of Canadians with its description of the residential school legacy as “cultural genocide.”

Read More: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/canada/trudeau-to-roll-out-plan-to-bolster-funding-for-aboriginal-education–311979431.html