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Bennett will oversee a “better whole-of-government coordination on our nation-to-nation, Inuit-Crown, and government-to-government relationships, to accelerate self-government and self-determination agreements based on new policies, laws and operational practices, and to develop a framework to advance a recognition of rights approach that will last well beyond this government,” a statement on the Prime Minister’s website reads.

As Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs, Bennett must begin by creating a Treaty elders advisory committee, said Cameron, who is also Saskatchewan’s regional chief to the Assembly of First Nations (AFN).

“Our Treaty elders have far more expertise when it comes to Treaty discussions,” he said.

While he welcomes the plan, he has concerns about a ministry with “Crown” in its name and said many First Nations still see the Queen and her representatives as their Treaty partners and look askance at Canadian government wearing the title.

“That title, what does it mean? It’s a sacred name. What’s their definition? What’s our definition?

“The Governor General, that’s the individual we have to have Treaty dialogue with … We hope (the Governor General) will come to see us on our Treaty lands. I’m optimistic. We hope for the best for our First Nations communities,” Cameron said.

Philpott’s Indigenous Services will focus on improving mechanisms for funding, which Cameron said he hopes will lessen the current onerous reporting requirements and speed funding for such needs as housing and education.