The second annual provincial Indigenous Leaders Roundtable held in Corner Brook today presented another important opportunity to discuss and advance common interests and shared goals of the Provincial Government and Indigenous Governments and Organizations in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Building upon the progress achieved in last year’s inaugural meeting, the second roundtable included discussions involving:

• Next steps towards the repatriation of Beothuk remains held by National Museums Scotland. The Canadian Museum of History has formally advised National Museums Scotland that it will accept transfer of ownership of the human remains of Demasuit and Nonosabasut. Collaborative efforts will continue with the Federal Government and National Museums Scotland to recover the burial objects associated with the remains.
• An update and discussion with respect to Indigenous people and communities on Towards Recovery: The Mental Health and Addictions Action Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador. Starting in 2017, the plan mapped a multi-year approach to support the implementation of recommendations outlined in the report of the All Party Committee on Mental Health and Addictions.
• An open discussion with the leaders of Indigenous Governments and Organizations on the Provincial Government’s Cultural Action Plan. As Indigenous peoples are integral to the cultural fabric of the province, input was received on ways in which Indigenous groups can contribute towards the renewal of the Cultural Plan.

A list of Indigenous Governments and Organizations that participated in the roundtable can be found in the backgrounder that follows.

The Indigenous Leaders Roundtable delivers on commitments in The Way Forward to strengthen the province’s economic foundation and deliver better services and better outcomes for residents. The Way Forward outlines all actions the Provincial Government is taking to achieve a strong, diversified province with a high standard of living, and can be viewed at thewayforward.gov.nl.ca.

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Indigenous leaders and elected officials attending the Indigenous Leaders Roundtable included: Front (l-r): Isabella Pain and President Johannes Lampe, Nunatsiavut; Jennifer Hefler-Elson, Labrador Friendship Centre; Dorothy George, Newfoundland Native Women’s Association; Honourable Premier Dwight Ball; Kim Campbell-McLean, AnânauKatiget Tumingit Regional Inuit Women’s Association; Todd Russell, NunatuKavut Community Council; Honourable Lisa Dempster, Minister, Children, Seniors and Social Development; Peter Penashue, Innu Nation. Back (l-r): David Wells, Mi’kmaq First Nations Assembly of Newfoundland; Chief Brendan Mitchell, Qalipu First Nation; Patrick Park Tighe, People of the Dawn Friendship Centre; Randy Edmunds, Parliamentary Assistant to the Premier; Bart Jack, Innu Nation; Ivan White, Flat Bay Indian Band; Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister, Fisheries and Land Resources; Scott Reid, MHA, St. George’s-Humber; and Sharon Williston, Newfoundland Aboriginal Women’s Network. Missing from photo were: Chris Sheppard, St. John’s Native Friendship Centre; Honourable John Haggie, Minister, Health and Community Services; John Finn, MHA, Stephenville-Port au Port; Chief Misel Joe and Teresa O’Keefe, Miawpukek First Nation, Alison White, Qalipu First Nation; Mark Browne, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation; and Gerry Osmond, Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation.

Learn More

First Indigenous Leaders Roundtable Advances Mutual Goals of Indigenous Communities and Provincial Government

The Way Forward

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Media contact
Michelle Cannizzaro
Office of the Premier
709-729-3960
michellecannizzaro@gov.nl.ca

BACKGROUNDER

Indigenous Governments and Organizations Participating in the Second Indigenous Leaders Roundtable

AnânauKatiget Tumingit Regional Inuit Women’s Association 
Flat Bay Indian Band 
Innu Nation 
Labrador Friendship Centre 
Miawpukek First Nation 
Mi’kmaq First Nations Assembly of Newfoundland 
Newfoundland Aboriginal Women’s Network 
Newfoundland Native Women’s Association 
Nunatsiavut Government
NunatuKavut Community Council
People of the Dawn Friendship Centre
Qalipu First Nation
St. John’s Native Friendship Centre