Urban Aboriginal policy taking shape

June 28, 2013

For Immediate Release

June 25, 2013

TORONTO – On June 18, a beautiful, sunny afternoon, 35 people – some Liberals, some not, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal – gathered in a circle at the Native Canadian Centre to consider urban Aboriginal policy.

It was the latest of a series of conversations organized by the Aboriginal Peoples’ Commission, which is making urban Aboriginal issues a priority in policy development heading into the 2015 election.

Chief Bryan Laforme of the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation, on whose traditional territory Toronto is located, opened the meeting and took a leading role in the discussion.

The challenges of living in two worlds become ever more pressing as more and more Aboriginal people move from their home communities in pursuit of economic opportunity”, Chief Laforme said.

Economic independence is a crucial ingredient for self-determination” he added.

The session was facilitated by St. Paul’s Member of Parliament, the Honourable Dr. Carolyn Bennett, Aboriginal Affairs critic for the Liberal Party of Canada, and Glenn Wheeler, national Vice-President (Policy) for the Aboriginal Peoples’ Commission.

The Aboriginal Peoples’ Commission represents and promotes the interests of Aboriginal members of the Liberal Party and encourages the active and equitable participation of Aboriginal people at all levels of the Party structure.

For more information on the urban Aboriginal policy discussion and to take part in the Aboriginal policy discussion, click here: http://apc-cpa.liberal.ca/policy/have-your-say/

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For more information on the Aboriginal Peoples’ Commission, please contact:

Kevin Seesequasis
Vice-President (Communications)
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