New hope for First Nations: Goar – Toronto Star

Stephen Kakfwi yearns to be home in Yellowknife to be with his children and grandchildren. He has been on the road for weeks shuttling between meetings and appointments, making new connections and renewing old contacts.

The former premier of the Northwest Territories has a mission. He is attempting to build a new partnership between First Nations and Canadians. He has already recruited senior statesmen, corporate executives, heads of non-profit organizations and church officials to work with indigenous leaders. They will take the next step when the Truth and Reconciliation Commission ends.

Kakfwi did not seek this role. It grew out of a troubling conversation he had with his children two Christmases ago. It was a bleak time for aboriginal youth. Chief Theresa Spence of Attawapiskat was into her fifth week of a hunger strike. No one could persuade Prime Minister Stephen Harper to listen to her or convince her to end her fast. The leadership of the Assembly of First Nations was divided. The Idle no More movement was struggling for legitimacy.