Mahsi. Mr. Speaker, today the Assembly of First Nations and the Dene Nation are calling on all Canadians to join with them in the National Day of Action. This is the second National Day of Action declared by the Assembly of First Nations. It’s an opportunity for all Canadians to stand together and call on the federal government to work with First Nations to ensure they have the same quality of life other Canadians take for granted.
The Assembly of First Nations and First Nations communities have been trying to work with the federal government to address fundamental issues that affect First Nations communities. These issues are well known and well documented. For example, First Nations families are three times more likely to live in poverty compared to other Canadian families. One in four First Nations children live in poverty. First Nations youth graduate from high school at a rate half the national average. Public health issues such as contaminated drinking water and mould-infected housing are becoming the norm
rather than the exception in many First Nations communities. The focus of this year’s National Day of Action is about our children, our future and our responsibility to one another as citizens of this nation.
The Assembly of First Nations, Dene Nation and First Nations leaders across the country are calling on the Government of Canada to protect our children by ensuring there is fairness in funding to support quality education and child and family services for First Nations children; invest in our future by supporting First Nations youth to succeed in the workplace and in post-secondary education opportunities; invest in healthy environments for our people by addressing the shameful conditions that exist in too many First Nations communities, like overcrowded housing, dangerous drinking water and crumbling infrastructures; respect our responsibilities to one another by giving First Nations the right and responsibility to make decisions that affect their lives; work with First Nations to bring honour to the communities, to resolve long-standing land claims; and work together to begin to share in the wealth of this land.
Mr. Speaker, I encourage all Northerners to join the Assembly of First Nations and the Dene Nation today in calling on the Government of Canada to act now and begin working with First Nations people. In doing so, we will build a stronger and better Canada for all Canadians. Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker.