Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) congratulates cabinet ministers who will head Indigenous portfolios, calls appointments “good steps forward for reconciliation”

October 26, 2021

OTTAWA – The Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) congratulates the federal government and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on the appointments of the three cabinet ministers who will head portfolios that most directly affect Indigenous people.

NWAC is pleased to learn that Patty Hajdu is the new Minister of Indigenous Services, and that Marc Miller is the new Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations.

In addition, NWAC is extremely happy to hear that Dan Vandal, a Métis who has experience working with Indigenous youth, is the new Minister of Northern Affairs; Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada, and Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency. NWAC has called for some time for the appointment of Indigenous people to head Indigenous departments, and this is a welcome move in that direction.

“All of these new Ministers have shown compassion in their previous roles and in their work at the federal level, and we are hopeful that spirit will continue as they take on their new jobs,” said NWAC President Lorraine Whitman.

“These appointments are good steps forward for reconciliation.”
NWAC is eager to begin working with each of these Ministers to build a new and brighter future for the Indigenous women of Canada.

-30-

For information, or to arrange an interview, contact Gloria Galloway at 613-447-6648 or gloria@gloriagalloway.com

NT5