SASKATOON — A Manitoba grand chief says her provincial government is the most racist in Canada.
Sheila North Wilson, who represents northern Manitoba First Nations, told a First Nations health conference in Saskatoon that some indigenous leaders in Saskatchewan might dispute that.
North Wilson says Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister refused to sign a climate change deal back in December citing a need for more money to deal with escalating health costs.
She says she was offended that Pallister said Manitoba indigenous people have the most chronic diseases and mental health issues.
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North Wilson says Pallister wants more money for health issues, but won’t work with First Nations groups.
She says they’re pushing the Manitoba government to sit down with elders and youth to discuss their health-care needs.
“He claimed in the national media that we have the most chronic diseases and mental health issues,” North Wilson said Tuesday.
“Well, thank you for calling us crazy and sick. I took offence to that.”
In January, Pallister came under fire from indigenous leaders and opposition politicians for saying that tensions around night hunting were leading to a race war.
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He said he chose his words poorly but didn’t apologize for saying it. A Supreme Court ruling a decade ago upheld the indigenous right to hunt at night, subject to safety regulations.
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