SCN Welcomes Minister of Aboriginal Affairs

On March 3, 2016 Samson Cree Nation welcomed the Alberta Indigenous Relations Minister, Richard Feehan to our Nation. The Chief and Council invited Minister Feehan to engage in an open dialogue on topics such as Water, Housing, Infrastructure, Income Support, Mental Health issues, Education and the processes needed to implement the United Nations Declaration of Indigenous Peoples. The main goal of the visit was to engage in a positive relationship between SCN and the Provincial Government, Chief Kurt Buffalo said “ if were serious of moving ahead then we need to ensure that it’s a true inter-governmental to inter-governmental relations… and to ensure were all focused on the same thing”.   The Minister did advise to continue to invite other ministers within the Alberta Government to visit the nation, such as the Minister of Infrastructure, Minister of Education , etc. and to voice their concerns to these ministries.  Also, in their dialogue, Larron Northwest inquired on the 2008 Protocol Agreement with Treaty 6, 7 and 8, and was inquiring if it was still in effect and how it could be a starting point  in the process of moving forward with these ministries.    The leadership were also inquiring and looking for opportunities to fit the parameters for Access and Eligibility for several Aboriginal Initiative Programs within the Alberta Government.   As they ended the meeting Chief Kurt said “we all know our priorities, but we need to find real long-term sustainable solutions for some of the problems we have on and off the reserve”.  Minister Feehan is the second Alberta Minister to visit Samson Cree Nation.