Congress of Aboriginal Peoples National Chief Betty Ann Lavallée and Vice-Chief Dwight Dorey will meet with Canadian Premiers in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, July 24 and 25

Ottawa (July 20, 2012) — National Chief of the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples, Betty Ann Lavallée, CD., (Ret’d) and Vice-Chief, Dwight Dorey will join with Canadian Premiers in Lunenburg at the annual Council of Federation meetings to discuss the issues facing Aboriginal Peoples who live off-reserve.

“I hope that the Premiers are listening, because the fact is that Aboriginal Peoples are the fastest growing population in Canada,” stated Betty Ann Lavallée, National Chief for the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples.  “So it makes sense that, at this meeting, we put aside our differences as to who is fiscally responsible for Aboriginal Peoples who live off-reserve and work together for the betterment of everyone – that means skills’ training, to fill the much needed labour shortages in industry – that means better access to education – which translates to less unemployment, less crime, better housing and a better standard of living for Aboriginal Peoples living off-reserve.  In essence – we all win!”

Dwight Dorey, Vice-Chief for the National Congress, went further, adding, “for far too long at these meetings, the discussion has been about who is responsible – is it provincial, is it federal – or both?  For this meeting, we are not going to Lunenburg just for the sake of having another meeting. We want to come out of this with some actionable results.”

National Chief Lavallée concluded by saying, “I am going to Lunenburg with the belief that it is time to work together, and to challenge the premiers by asking: what are we specifically going to do and when?  Are we going to start working together so that Aboriginal Peoples enjoy the same standard of living as most Canadians do?  If we don’t, then we have all failed to move forward.”

National Chief, Lavallée and Vice-Chief Dorey will be available for interviews in the following locations and times:

• Halifax – Tuesday, July 24: Call to arrange times (Updates will follow)
• Lunenburg – Wednesday, July 25:  Media Event – Lunenburg Arms – 1:35 PM – 2:05 PM

Since 1971, the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples, formerly known as the Native Council of Canada, has been the National Aboriginal Organization that represents the interests of off-reserve non-status and status Indians and Métis who live in urban, rural, remote and isolated areas throughout Canada.  The National Congress is also the voice for its affiliate organizations who advocate on behalf of Aboriginal Peoples living off-reserve throughout Canada.

To arrange interview times with National Chief, Betty Ann Lavallée, or Vice-Chief, Dwight Dorey, contact:

Julian Morelli
Director of Communications
Congress of Aboriginal Peoples: www.abo-peoples.org
Ottawa, ON K1K 3B1

Cell/Cell: (613)325-8264
Tel/Tél: (613) 747-6022

julian@abo-peoples.org