Wednesday, July 23, 2025

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney recently held a summit with some Indigenous leaders to address the issue of laws that allow the fast tracking of major development projects. As Dan Karpenchuk reports, many of those leaders say they’re still critical of the new laws, while others are taking more of a wait-and-see attitude. Carney was trying to ease First Nations fears about the major projects law, but many said it would take more than one meeting to build consensus on Ottawa’s plans. Some have already launched a legal challenge against Bill C-5 as well as Ontario’s Bill 5. Carney’s Bill C-5, also called the Building Canada Act, allows his government to sidestep laws and fast track approvals for big energy and infrastructure projects that are in the national interest. The summit, attended by hundreds of First Nations leaders, was called after Carney’s government faced a backlash from chiefs who said their concerns were not being respected, but he also promised them that they can help build the prosperity for their communities for generations to come. Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak, National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, was conciliatory in her assessment of the summit. “We want to stand up for Canada against illegal tariffs. At the same time of course we look to make sure that no more colonialism happens within our own country. We push back on that. And there’s lots of work to do and I think we can do that by working together.” Nepinak says the issues will not be settled with one meeting and she called for more, including a national summit of First Nations leaders with the prime minister. Terry Teegee is a regional chief of the British Columbia Assembly of First Nations. He says he’s still on the fence. “There’s still a trust issue in the way the development of the actual legislation. And we see in British Columbia in the development of Bill 14/15, there’s a trust us mentality in this legislation. And as many First Nations know, we do have trust issues with all levels of government.  And that’s why we wanted to be included from the start.” Much of the day was spent in panel-style discussions on meaningful consultations and economic prosperity. Carney and his cabinet ministers stayed all day doing more listening than talking. Some chiefs said they could work with the prime minister, while others said they still need more convincing. Jonathan Nez, standing in front of the U.S. Capitol in 2022, hopes to become a member of Congress starting in 2027. Former Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez declared his second bid for Congress Tuesday, setting up a rematch for a House seat in northeastern Arizona. KJZZ’s Gabriel Pietrorazio has more on why Nez is running again. Before this announcement, Nez admittedly mulled over launching another campaign, aiming to replace his tribal successor: Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren. The next presidential election takes place in 2026. “Folks from the Navajo Nation wanted us to come home and be their president again, and it was a tough decision. But my family decided, you know, that this is the best way we can help bring unity throughout the country. And of course, Congress should look like America.” Nez is vying to become Arizona’s first Indigenous congressman. In a statement, his opponent, U.S. Rep. Eli Crane (R-AZ) said the Democratic Party has hit “rock bottom” by letting Nez challenge him again. He lost to Rep. Crane last year by a 9% margin – some 36,000 votes – in the state’s largest congressional district by size, which is home to more than a dozen federally recognized tribes. (Courtesy U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse / Facebook) U.S. Senators from New Mexico and Colorado have introduced the Tribal Access to Clean Water Act, which invests in tribal water projects. This bill increases funding through the Indian Health Service, the Department of Agriculture, and the Bureau of Reclamation to support water infrastructure, and help provide clean water to Native American households that currently lack access.   Get National Native News delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up for our daily newsletter today.