OTTAWA, Canada — Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew has called on Prime Minister Mark Carney to abolish Canada’s Indian Act, arguing that the country needs a more modern relationship with First Nations and Indigenous Peoples.
Kinew made the remarks on Monday, October 26, 2026, during a historic gathering in Ottawa involving Carney, provincial premiers and First Nations chiefs. The meeting was organized to discuss Indigenous priorities, economic opportunities and the relationship between Indigenous communities and governments across Canada.
Speaking to reporters during a break in the discussions, Kinew held up his First Nations status card, noting that it identifies him under the terminology used in the federal legislation.
“It’s time to abolish the Indian Act,” Kinew said, adding that Canada needs a relationship with Indigenous Peoples that better reflects the country as it exists today.
Kinew Calls for a New Approach to Indigenous Relations
The Indian Act, first enacted in 1876, is federal legislation that governs many aspects of the relationship between the Canadian government and First Nations. It addresses matters including registration, reserve lands and the administration of certain First Nations affairs.
The legislation has long been criticized for its colonial origins and for placing significant restrictions on First Nations’ ability to govern their own communities.
Kinew argued that Canada should move away from what he described as a race-based system of identification and develop a more contemporary framework for its relationship with Indigenous Peoples.
His comments add to broader discussions about Indigenous self-determination, treaty rights and the role of federal legislation in First Nations governance.
However, abolishing the Indian Act would raise complex questions about how existing legal protections, treaty obligations, reserve lands and First Nations rights would be maintained or addressed under any replacement framework.
Historic Meeting Brings First Nations Leaders and Premiers Together
The gathering in Ottawa brought together Carney, most provincial premiers and chiefs from the Assembly of First Nations.
According to the Canadian Press, the meeting was the first gathering of its kind since discussions surrounding the 2005 Kelowna Accord, when Indigenous leaders, provincial premiers and then-prime minister Paul Martin met to discuss reducing socioeconomic disparities affecting Indigenous communities.
Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak said the discussions were intended to help build prosperity for future generations.
The meeting comes amid growing debate over the federal government’s plans to accelerate major infrastructure and resource-development projects.
Some First Nations leaders have raised concerns that shorter approval timelines could undermine their treaty rights, consultation processes and ability to provide free, prior and informed consent to developments affecting their territories.
Others have expressed support for certain projects, particularly where they see opportunities for economic development and greater Indigenous participation.
Resource Development and Indigenous Rights Remain Key Issues
Carney’s government has pursued measures intended to speed up major project approvals, including legislation establishing a framework for accelerating projects considered important to Canada’s economic development.
The approach has generated debate among Indigenous communities, governments and industry representatives over how economic growth should be balanced with Indigenous rights and environmental considerations.
During the Ottawa meeting, Indigenous concerns about major projects remained prominent.
Protesters outside the meeting venue called for greater youth representation and emphasized that projects affecting Indigenous territories should not proceed without appropriate consent.
The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs also identified treaty rights, inherent rights, self-determination and resource-revenue sharing as priorities for discussions with federal and provincial leaders.
What Abolishing the Indian Act Could Mean
Kinew’s call places renewed attention on the future of the Indian Act and the possibility of changing how Canada recognizes and works with First Nations.
Any move to abolish the legislation would require careful discussions with Indigenous communities because the act is connected to legal status, reserve administration and other aspects of the relationship between First Nations and the federal government.
First Nations have diverse views on the legislation and on how reform should proceed. Some advocate eliminating the colonial framework, while others emphasize that changes must not weaken existing rights, treaty protections or access to services.
For the federal government, the challenge would be to address calls for greater Indigenous self-government while ensuring that treaty obligations and established legal protections remain respected.
Kinew’s remarks during the Ottawa meeting have therefore added another significant issue to discussions about Indigenous rights, federal policy and the future of First Nations governance in Canada.
No decision to abolish the Indian Act was announced during the meeting.
Swifteradio.com
