National Indigenous Peoples Day: Gov. Gen. Mary Simon reflects on First Nations ravaged by wildfires
CTV
On National Indigenous Peoples Day, Gov. Gen. Mary Simon is reflecting on the challenges before Canada's First Nations during a season of record wildfires which have ravaged communities.
On National Indigenous Peoples Day, Gov. Gen. Mary Simon is reflecting on the challenges before First Nations' communities in Canada, during a season of record wildfires that have ravaged communities.
Already this month, 13 First Nations were evacuated as wildfires raged across 11 provinces and territories, driving thousands from their homes.
In an interview with CTV News from Rideau Hall, Simon said the wildfires are a visceral reminder to Canadians that many Indigenous people live with stark inequalities that need to be fixed.
"There is a need to build better infrastructure for communities in remote regions. And this is not just because of the wildfires, but for day-to-day living. [They need] running water, services for health and education," said Simon. "When something like this disaster in terms of wildfires has happened people seem to notice more because it's being covered in the media -- but these are things that people live with every day in our Indigenous communities."
The vice-regal also touched on her efforts to strengthen Crown-Indigenous relations. Before the coronation of King Charles III in May, Simon orchestrated a meeting between the new monarch and Inuit, Métis and First Nations leaders.
"It was an opportunity to engage with the King. They wanted to have a conversation about the challenges they were facing as leaders in this country."
Simon said there was a "consistency" between Charles III's priorities and the priorities of Indigenous leaders on climate change and diversity.
