An MP from Northern Quebec has become the first Indigenous cabinet minister to hold the portfolio responsible for providing services for First Nations, Inuit and Métis.
Mandy Gull-Masty, who is Cree from Waswanipi Cree Nation, was named the new minister of Indigenous Services in Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government on Tuesday.
Gull-Masty, MP for the vast riding of Abitibi-Baie-James-Nunavik-Eeyou, is one of 28 ministers and 10 secretaries of state who were sworn in at a ceremony Tuesday at Rideau Hall in Ottawa.
She’ll be working closely with N.W.T. MP Rebecca Alty, who has been named the minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations.
Irene Neeposh, chief of Waswanipi, around 625 kilometres north of Quebec City, found out about Gull-Masty’s new role from CBC News in an interview, and said she’s overjoyed.
“I’m very, very happy to receive this news,” Neeposh said.
“I think it’s crucial that the Indigenous representation is an active participant within the Parliament system of our country.”
In 2021, Gull-Masty was elected as the first female grand chief of the Grand Council of the Crees/Cree Nation Government on a platform that centred on governance, language and culture as well as the economy. She stepped down in March to run for the Liberal Party in the federal election.
She’s one of 24 rookie MPs in Parliament.
Bill Namagoose, former executive director of the Grand Council of the Crees/Cree Nation Government, said he was surprised and pleased to hear of Gull-Masty in the role and that it was “truly historic for the Cree nation and for Indigenous people across Canada.”
Gull-Masty is one of three Indigenous MPs sworn into Carney’s cabinet Tuesday.
Rebecca Chartrand, MP for Churchill-Keewatinook Aski in northern Manitoba, is minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs and the minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency.
Chartrand identifies as Anishinaabe, Inninew, Dakota and Métis from Pine Creek First Nation in Manitoba.
Desnethé-Missinippi-Churchill River MP Buckley Belanger, who is Métis from Île-à-la-Crosse, Sask., will serve as a secretary of state for rural development.
Leaders send congratulations
Manitoba Métis Federation President David Chartrand said three Indigenous people in cabinet is a good sign, but he’ll be watching closely, particularly on issues of land claims and “Indigenous identity theft.”
“Being a new minister, will they be bold enough to quickly move on priority agendas such as the Red River Métis treaty?” Chartrand said.
“That’s one question I’ll have in the back of my mind.”
The federal government signed the first-ever modern treaty with a Métis government in November, which formally recognizes the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) as the government of the Red River Métis.
“It should be coming in as one of the party agendas because it was put on hold following the call of the election,” said Chartrand.
In a written statement, a spokesperson for the Métis National Council (MNC) said they are pleased to see Indigenous members of Parliament appointed to key leadership roles and look forward to work to enhance and advance rights, interests and priorities of the Métis Nation.
“These appointments represent meaningful progress in advancing Indigenous representation at the highest levels of government and in shaping our shared future,” said Melissa Lagacé, MNC’s director of communications and public relations.
Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, the national organization representing Inuit in Canada, shared a congratulatory post to social media welcoming the inclusion of two First Nations members to cabinet.
“We pledge to work with you to build a strong and secure Inuit Nunangat, and a Canada in which Inuit and all Canadians have the opportunity to thrive,” the post said.
The Assembly of First Nations did not respond to a request for comment before time of publishing.
