National chief says First Nations growing frustrated with ‘fast-track’ approach – CityNews
May 28, 2025
OTTAWA — The national chief of the Assembly of First Nations says she doesn’t blame First Nations leaders who are voicing frustration with governments promising to fast-track development in their territories in the name of national unity.
Some chiefs are even citing the Indigenous rights protest movement Idle No More, which took hold under former prime minister Stephen Harper’s government as it looked to ramp up resource development.
“I don’t blame them. They’re frustrated and they’re being disrespected,” National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak said Wednesday morning.
“If we’re not at the table making these decisions right off the bat, this is what happens and it causes the Canadian government more problems later.”
