This past week, I had the honour of joining the Assembly of First Nations National Fisheries Committee during the International Indigenous Salmon Peoples’ Gathering. Over three days, Indigenous leaders from around the world came together to share both science and traditional knowledge, strengthening our collective voice in the stewardship of salmon.

Together, participants drafted and endorsed the Karasjohka Declaration, a powerful statement affirming the governance and rights that Indigenous Peoples hold with respect to salmon. This declaration reflects our shared responsibility to protect these vital resources for generations to come.

Within the Fisheries Committee, we advanced important work on draft resolutions for the upcoming Chiefs Assembly. These included, land fisheries management, the five-year review of the Fisheries Act, and a resolution I was proud to bring forward, addressing trade barriers faced by First Nations seal products due to the European Commission’s ban within the European Union.

As First Nations, we have never surrendered our inherent rights to hunt, fish, or gather. It is our duty to continue working collectively to safeguard these rights and the resources that sustain our people.

Our lands and waters remain under threat from climate change and poorly managed resource development. Closer to home, we are still awaiting answers and a safe resolution to the MSC Baltic III, the grounded container ship in Cedar Cove. We will continue pressing for action and working with all levels of government and the Canadian Coast Guard to ensure proper mitigation measures are taken to protect our waters and the ecosystems that depend on them.

I want to reassure you that protecting our environment, our food sources, and our communities remains at the heart of our work. Although we face many barriers along the way, together, we can protect what is sacred for the generations yet to come.

This past week, we came together to honour Indigenous Veterans Day and Remembrance Day. These days remind us of the courage and sacrifice of all who defended our lands and freedoms, especially Indigenous veterans, whose contributions have too often gone unrecognized. Their dedication strengthens our communities and inspires future generations.

I also want to update you on the situation with the MSC Baltic III, the container ship grounded near Cedar Cove. Recent reports indicate that severe storms have caused structural damage to the vessel. Salvage and cleanup efforts continue, and we are monitoring the situation closely. While weather has slowed progress, most of the heavy fuel oil has now been removed. We continue to expect MSC to fully include our Nation in the response and take immediate, comprehensive action to address its impact.

We are not alone in pressing for accountability and action. The Canadian Coast Guard has been providing consistent updates, and we continue to receive strong support from Minister Lela Evans, Provincial Minister of Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation; Minister Joanne Thompson, Federal Fisheries Minister; Assembly of First Nations Regional Chief Brendan Mitchell; Traditional Chief Misel Joe; and Chief Brad Benoit of Miawpukek First Nation. We share our community members’ concerns, and we are demanding clear answers and a concrete plan to safely remove this vessel from traditional fishing grounds without further delay. Together, we are advocating for Indigenous participation at every stage of the response to ensure that local knowledge, community priorities, and cultural values are respected. Our Environment and Natural Resources team is working with DFO and other environmental partners to monitor the coastlines.

We will continue to hold MSC accountable, push for decisive action, and ensure Indigenous voices remain at the centre of this process.

This year’s federal budget brings a mix of good and challenging news for Indigenous peoples across Turtle Island. We know the government is working to manage spending, which has led to a small two per cent decrease at federal Indigenous departments, a much smaller reduction than the 15 per cent cuts seen in other areas. Our key programs remain fully supported, giving our members peace of mind.

These reductions are aimed at improving efficiency and reducing duplication, not eliminating essential services. There are encouraging signs that future decisions will involve Indigenous governments more directly, giving us greater input on how priorities and outcomes are set.

While this budget signals a time of change, it also offers a chance to strengthen relationships, enhance accountability, and ensure Indigenous-led outcomes guide the path forward for our Nation.

Separately, we want to address recent rumors about a re-application process. Some members have reached out with concerns about information circulating online. Please be assured that these claims are not true. As always, we encourage everyone to rely on official Qalipu communications for accurate updates, and we will continue keeping our members informed directly.

We remain steadfast in our commitment to our members and our communities. By working together and staying engaged, we will ensure that the decisions made today lead to lasting benefits and opportunities for our Nation.

This week, I had the privilege of attending the 2025 Atlantic Indigenous-led Energy Symposium. Since its first modest gathering in 2022, the symposium has quickly grown into a sold-out event hosting over four hundred participants. It brought together First Nations leaders, knowledge keepers, youth, energy innovators, and government officials from across our territories to network and share experiences.

A personal highlight was connecting with several members of our Nation who are already doing great work in the energy sector and are passionate about contributing to our community.

This year’s theme, Protecting Mother Earth, Powering Future Generations, inspired meaningful discussions about our shared values and responsibilities. Throughout the symposium, I joined several sessions and listened to powerful accounts reflecting a growing shift in how provincial governments and industry developers view and value Indigenous leadership.

There is a growing, long-overdue awareness that true progress requires authentic partnership with Indigenous leadership, moving beyond colonial frameworks. Our voices are vital in shaping decisions that define success, not by profit margins but by sustainability. Profit can only follow once we ensure that the development aligns with our duty to the land and to future generations.

As our new provincial government takes shape, we look forward to working in the spirit of collaboration to play our critical role in the future of our unceded, un-surrendered lands. Our Economic Development team is undergoing significant changes as we recognize the need to approach each opportunity with a deep understanding of our Nation’s values. Soon, we hope to welcome a new Chief Operating Officer who will collaborate closely with our Council and spend time in our communities, listening to members and learning about your priorities. This feedback will guide our path forward and foster shared ownership in what we build together.

Together, we must continue to protect the land, waters, and air, not only as our sacred responsibility, but as the foundation for a thriving future.