Bobby Cameron, chief of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN). (File photo/650 CKOM)

By Keenan Sorokan/CKOM News staff

FSIN wants to see the next Governor General be from First Nation

Jan 26, 2021 | 5:39 PM

The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations wants to see a First Nations person become Governor General.

Former governor general Julie Payette resigned from the position last week after a workplace review into bullying and harassment allegations.

Chief Bobby Cameron is asking the federal government to consider appointing Canada’s first-ever First Nations representative to the Queen.

“(It should be done) to reinvigorate what that role of the Governor General was intended for to begin with,” he said. “That’s that Crown relationship with our inherent treaty rights holders and our First Nations people.”

Cameron said the job reserved for ceremonial duties and parliamentary responsibilities like reading the throne speech is a perfect fit as governments across the country try to find ways to increase reconciliation efforts and restore relationships with Indigenous communities.

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“We hear the term ‘nation to nation’ (and) we hear the term ‘truth and reconciliation,’ ” Cameron said. “We hear the most important relationship this government has is with First Nation people. Here’s a perfect and prime opportunity for Prime Minister (Justin) Trudeau … to appoint one of our own.”

Cameron says this isn’t the first time the FSIN has recommended a First Nations person for the job, and it has been on the organization’s radar for at least two years.

Cameron also wants to see the candidate selected by First Nations people and not appointed at random by Ottawa.

“It’s absolutely perfect timing. Let’s prove it,” Cameron said.

Supreme Court Chief Justice Richard Wagner is fulfilling duties as the Governor General until a replacement for Payette can be found.

It’s the first time in Canada’s history the position has remained vacant.

Filling the vacant position with a First Nations person would provide “a sense of peace” for the generations of people who lived with Governors General who did not acknowledge treaty territories, according to Cameron.

Cameron said part of the Governor General’s role could be education for people unaware of treaty rights, an idea passed along by a knowledge keeper.

“We must remind them of treaty. We must educate them of treaty,” he said, reading a quote from the knowledge keeper.

“We thrived and survived off these lands and waters long before any settler or government landed on these lands and waters and we will continue to do so since time immemorial,” Cameron said.