Premier consults with Aboriginal stakeholders leading up to First Ministers� Meeting

The priorities and issues of Aboriginal peoples in this province will be discussed today at meeting between Premier Williams and Aboriginal leaders in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. The meetings are designed to hear first hand from stakeholders in advance of the First Ministers Meeting (FMM) with leaders of the National Aboriginal Organizations. The FMM is being held on November 24-25, in Kelowna, BC. Premier Williams will be joined by Minister Responsible for Aboriginal Affairs, Tom Rideout and Minister Responsible for the Status of Women, Joan Burke. Also invited to today�s meetings are representatives from Innu, Inuit, Mi'kmaq and Labrador Metis communities.

�The issues facing the Aboriginal people of this province, and indeed the country, will be highlighted at the upcoming First Ministers� Meeting, and today�s consultations will allow our government to engage Aboriginal leaders in a meaningful way in preparation for the FMM,� said Premier Williams. �We want to hear their perspective so that we can go to the FMM prepared to address not only the challenges, but also to identify the opportunities in Aboriginal communities.�

The province will hold two separate meetings in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. The first will be with elected Aboriginal leaders, and the second will be with Aboriginal women.

Minister Rideout said: �There are many critical issues that Aboriginal groups deal with everyday in the areas of health, education, housing and economic development. These consultations will enable government to become more informed on these issues leading into the First Minister�s Meetings in Kelowna and more effectively represent the views of aboriginal peoples in our province.�
�The issues of importance to Aboriginal women are issues of importance to this government,� said Minister Joan Burke. �It is extremely encouraging that the voices of Aboriginal women will be heard at the First Ministers� Meeting. Today�s consultation is an excellent opportunity for representatives of the Aboriginal women�s community to bring their perspective and voices directly to the Premier and have their issues represented at the FMM table.�

�We will continue to work with the federal government and Aboriginal leaders to ensure appropriate levels of support are realized for the future well-being of aboriginal communities. I look forward to productive meetings both today and in Kelowna,� said Premier Williams.

Media contact:

Elizabeth Matthews, Office of the Premier, (709)729-3960, 690-5500, elizabethmatthews@gov.nl.ca

Lori Lee Oates, Aboriginal Affairs, (709) 729-3733, 690-8403
Jacquelyn Howard, Women�s Policy Office, (709) 729-4062, 689-2624

2005 11 14                 10:15 a.m.