For Immediate Release
November 4, 2025
Treaty 5 Territory, Opaskwayak Cree Nation – Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO) has voiced serious concern regarding the federal government’s “Canada Strong” Budget 2025. The budget prioritizes nation‑building initiatives and resource extraction, yet fails to meaningfully involve northern First Nations in Manitoba. MKO stresses that true progress in resource development cannot occur without full recognition of Treaty Rights, a commitment to environmental stewardship, and the assurance of lasting, equitable benefits for First Nations.
While the budget includes investments in water infrastructure and housing, critical needs in the North, it omits funding for important programs Chiefs need to safeguard their Nations.
- The budget promises 1000 new RCMP members, but no mention of support for First Nations-led policing strategy, even as drugs and crime infiltrate northern First Nations.
- There are no new commitments to support the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to find and protect ancestors lost to the residential school system.
- There are no new supports for MMIWG2S+ programs, as the numbers of missing and murdered Indigenous peoples continues to grow.
The government’s decision to impose a two percent savings target on Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, and Indigenous Services Canada, raises serious questions about how essential services will be maintained. Grand Chief Garrison Settee stated:
“How can the federal government claim to uphold reconciliation while cutting funding to the very departments responsible for delivering essential services to our Nations?”
MKO welcomes the doubling of the Indigenous Loan Guarantee Program to $10 billion and the Canada Infrastructure Bank’s Indigenous Equity Initiative, but cautions that economic reconciliation must not be conditional on First Nations’ participation in resource extraction.
Grand Chief Settee said “Our Nations will not be sidelined or coerced into partnerships that ignore our Rights and priorities. Reconciliation must be built on respect, justice, and meaningful engagement, not on conditional investments tied to resource extraction. We will continue to stand firm in defence of our people, our lands, and our future.”
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