Date: October 25, 2026
Reporter: Joseph Wilson
First Nations leaders, Prime Minister Mark Carney and Canada’s premiers are gathering in Ottawa for a historic meeting aimed at reshaping the relationship between First Nations and governments across the country.
The gathering is particularly significant because it is the first meeting of its kind since the 2005 Kelowna Accord discussions, when First Nations leaders, provincial and territorial premiers and then-prime minister Paul Martin met to discuss closing socioeconomic gaps affecting Indigenous communities.
The formal First Nations–First Ministers Meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 26, while Sunday, October 25, is being dedicated to First Nations ceremony, protocols and preparation for the discussions.
National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak has emphasized that the meeting should begin in a good way and be grounded in First Nations traditions, rights and spirituality.
A day of ceremony before the political discussions
The Assembly of First Nations announced that October 25 would be a Day of Ceremony, bringing together Elders, Knowledge Keepers, First Nations leaders and community members in Ottawa.
The ceremony is being held on the grounds of the John G. Diefenbaker Building and is intended to ensure that the formal discussions begin with recognition of First Nations protocols and traditions.
The AFN said the ceremony was developed with Elders and Knowledge Keepers from across the country and incorporates traditions connected to the host Algonquin Nation as well as participating First Nations.
For Woodhouse Nepinak, the symbolism is particularly important because Canadian governments historically attempted to suppress Indigenous ceremonies and languages.
She has described the gathering as an opportunity to approach the relationship between First Nations and governments with renewed respect, partnership and recognition of Indigenous rights.
Monday's meeting will focus on major national issues
The closed-door meeting on October 26 is expected to address several issues affecting First Nations communities and their relationship with the federal and provincial governments.
Among the major issues expected to be discussed are:
- Treaty rights and recognition of First Nations jurisdiction
- Economic development and economic sovereignty
- Major resource and infrastructure projects
- Employment and economic opportunities
- Health and social conditions
- Policing and public safety
- First Nations participation in decision-making
- Reconciliation and the Crown–First Nations relationship
The Assembly of First Nations has prepared position papers covering areas including economic development, policing and public safety, employment and health.
The meeting is therefore not simply an economic-development summit. First Nations leaders are seeking commitments on the broader relationship between Indigenous nations and Canadian governments.
Economic sovereignty is a major priority
One of the proposals receiving significant attention is the creation of a First Nations sovereign wealth fund.
The concept, proposed by the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation, would allow First Nations to pool capital and build long-term wealth that could be invested according to Indigenous priorities.
Supporters see such a fund as a potential way to increase First Nations' economic independence and allow communities to participate more directly in major economic opportunities.
However, the proposal has not yet been formally approved or funded.
National Chief Woodhouse Nepinak has said there is currently no commitment to create the fund. She has indicated that First Nations leaders intend to advance the concept and see what can be achieved during the meeting.
The distinction is important: the sovereign wealth fund is currently a proposal under discussion, not an established federal program.
Major projects could become a major source of tension
The meeting comes at a time when relations between some First Nations leaders and the federal government have become strained over legislation and major infrastructure projects.
Prime Minister Carney's government has promoted faster approvals for projects considered to be in the national interest, arguing that Canada needs to build infrastructure and strengthen economic independence.
Some First Nations leaders, however, have raised concerns about consultation and whether major projects could proceed without adequate recognition of Indigenous rights and jurisdiction.
The proposed Building Canada Strong Act is one issue that could receive attention because of the powers it would give the federal government in relation to major projects.
The proposed Pacific Link pipeline is another example. Carney has identified the project as being of national interest, while some First Nations along the proposed route have questioned the consultation process.
The disagreement illustrates one of the central challenges facing the meeting: Canada wants to accelerate economic development, while First Nations leaders are insisting that development must respect treaty rights, Indigenous jurisdiction and meaningful participation.
First Nations leaders warn that participation does not mean consent
The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs has stressed that attending the meeting should not be interpreted as giving blanket consent to major projects or government decisions.
First Nations leaders are calling for governments to take concrete action on treaty rights, reconciliation and economic sovereignty rather than simply holding another round of discussions.
Grand Chief Kyra Wilson of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs has emphasized that treaties are agreements between nations and that First Nations expect to be treated as equal partners.
This concern reflects a broader issue surrounding the meeting: whether governments can turn dialogue into lasting mechanisms for decision-making and partnership.
Leaders want the meeting to continue beyond one day
For many First Nations leaders, perhaps the most important outcome will be whether Monday's meeting produces a permanent process for cooperation.
Woodhouse Nepinak has repeatedly warned against allowing the event to become a one-time political gathering.
APTN reported that she described the relationship between First Nations and governments as fragile and said the meeting must not become a “one and done” event.
First Nations leaders want continued discussions after Monday, including mechanisms that can address jurisdiction, treaty relationships, economic development and government programs.
The Chiefs of Ontario, for example, have identified the importance of advancing the relationship under Section 35 of Canada's Constitution, which recognizes and affirms existing Aboriginal and treaty rights.
Ontario First Nations leaders are also seeking a trilateral process involving First Nations, Ontario and Canada to address program delivery and jurisdictional issues.
Not every premier will attend
Despite the historic nature of the gathering, not every Canadian premier is expected to participate.
Quebec Premier Paul St-Pierre Plamondon and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith have both indicated that they will not attend.
The Privy Council Office had not released a complete list of participating premiers when the meeting was being prepared.
The absence of some provincial leaders could become an important political issue because many of the policies affecting First Nations fall within areas involving both federal and provincial governments.
First Nations representation is also limited
The meeting is not expected to include every First Nations leader in Canada.
First Nations will be represented largely by regional chiefs from the Assembly of First Nations, with a limited delegation participating directly at the main table.
APTN reported that the main table was expected to have approximately 28 seats, with additional First Nations representatives outside the main room.
This has already generated some disagreement.
Three Alberta Cree Nations that are not members of the Assembly of First Nations issued a notice objecting to the AFN speaking or negotiating on their behalf.
The AFN has responded that it is not negotiating for individual First Nations and that the gathering is a government-hosted dialogue involving diverse Indigenous nations.
The issue highlights the diversity of First Nations governments and the fact that national Indigenous organizations cannot automatically speak for every individual nation.
Health, homelessness and social issues cannot be ignored
While economic development is expected to be a major theme, some First Nations leaders are concerned that the meeting could become too heavily focused on resource development and investment.
Global News reported that some leaders want governments to address homelessness, addiction, suicide and other social challenges alongside economic reconciliation.
For communities facing inadequate housing, healthcare shortages, mental-health challenges or limited access to essential services, economic opportunities are only one part of the broader relationship with government.
This creates a challenge for the meeting's agenda: governments want to discuss economic development and major projects, while First Nations leaders want a broader conversation about living conditions, rights, jurisdiction and community wellbeing.
Why the meeting matters for Canada
The significance of the gathering extends beyond the specific announcements expected on Monday.
For decades, First Nations leaders have sought a more direct role in national decision-making. Previous efforts included constitutional conferences, the Charlottetown Accord process and the 2005 Kelowna Accord discussions.
The current meeting offers another opportunity to establish a structured relationship between First Nations, Ottawa and provincial governments.
For the federal government, the challenge will be demonstrating that reconciliation can coexist with its economic-development agenda.
For provincial governments, the meeting could create new expectations concerning consultation, treaty relationships and Indigenous participation in major projects.
For First Nations, the central question is whether governments will recognize Indigenous nations as partners with rights and jurisdiction rather than simply stakeholders to be consulted after major decisions have already been made.
What to watch during Monday's meeting
The formal meeting begins October 26, but only portions of the event are expected to be publicly accessible.
Opening prayers and remarks are expected to be available for public viewing, while the substantive discussions will take place behind closed doors.
The most important developments to watch include:
- Whether governments commit to a permanent First Nations–First Ministers dialogue.
- Whether the proposed First Nations sovereign wealth fund advances beyond the discussion stage.
- How First Nations rights and jurisdiction are addressed in relation to major projects.
- Whether provinces commit to stronger direct partnerships with First Nations.
- Whether health, housing and social issues receive the same attention as economic development.
- Whether governments establish specific follow-up mechanisms and timelines.
A historic opportunity, but expectations are high
The October 26 meeting represents an important moment in Canada's relationship with First Nations, but expectations are high and trust remains fragile.
The gathering comes at a time when Canada is simultaneously pursuing major infrastructure and resource projects while promising stronger Indigenous participation in economic development.
That creates both an opportunity and a potential source of conflict.
If the meeting produces specific commitments, permanent mechanisms for dialogue and meaningful Indigenous participation, it could become an important turning point in Canada's relationship with First Nations.
If it produces only statements and promises without follow-up, leaders who have waited decades for meaningful change may regard it as another missed opportunity.
For now, the ceremony on October 25 is intended to set the tone: respect, recognition, partnership and reflection before the political negotiations begin.
The real test will come after the meeting—when governments must demonstrate whether the commitments made in Ottawa can translate into concrete action in First Nations communities across Canada.