SASKATOON — Congress of Aboriginal Peoples National Chief Elmer St. Pierre urges all leaders of Indigenous organizations in the country to remain united and set aside individual concerns that could impact their collective's credibility.
St. Pierre made the statement after the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and the Métis National Council issued a joint statement making attacks on CAP and the Native Women's Association of Canada.
"As [CAP] National Chief, I and our peoples continue to be disheartened by the divisive and political attacks made not only against our peoples but all the Indigenous women represented by both CAP and NWAC," said St. Pierre.
The CAP has a deep and successful track record and an over 50-year history of fighting for the rights of its constituency of Métis, Status and Non-status Indians, and Southern Inuit Indigenous People living off-reserve in Canada.
CAP also has political accords with the Federal Government and regularly participates in dialogues with numerous departments and all levels of government. CAP's Provincial Territorial Organization's membership also includes rights holders.
"Given the recent attacks on women in Indigenous leadership positions, it is shocking that these two groups would single out Indigenous women's leadership and off-reserve Indigenous peoples in such a misguided way," said St. Pierre.
CAP and other national indigenous organizations all have critical perspectives to bring on behalf of our communities, he said. Working together will improve the lives of more Indigenous people across Turtle Island, he added.
St. Pierre attended the Premier's meeting on Monday to rise above these most recent attacks.
