National chief rips Carney government’s approach to consultation with First Nations

OTTAWA – National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak is slamming Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government over what she calls its failure to consult meaningfully with First Nations and cuts to federal investments in First Nations communities.

Speaking to the Assembly of First Nations’ December meeting today, Woodhouse Nepinak says First Nations will continue to protect their rights, in and outside of the courts.

This afternoon Carney will address hundreds of chiefs gathering in Ottawa for the three-day assembly.

Carney’s appearance before the chiefs comes just days after Ottawa signed a pipeline agreement with Alberta, which some First Nations leaders have condemned over environmental risks and a lack of consultation.

Prime ministers and their cabinets traditionally attend the December AFN meeting to gauge the outlook of First Nations leadership and field chiefs’ questions and criticisms.

Woodhouse Nepinak told The Canadian Press Carney would be wise to come to the meeting with firm commitments to things the chiefs want, such as the clean drinking water legislation that died when the federal election was called earlier this year.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 2, 2025.