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By John Paul and Ken Coates

During the federal election of 2015, Justin Trudeau raised the bar on Indigenous policy. He promised to adopt the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples(UNDRIP), end on-reserve water advisories, develop true and sustainable nation-to-nation relationships, and tackle the Indian Act. Several times he stated that “governments grant permits, communities grant permission” on matters of resource rights.

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As Prime Minister, Trudeau made Indigenous issues a top priority of his new government. Never in Canadian history had a federal government given First Nations, Métis and Inuit rights such a high profile. The hopes of Indigenous Canadians soared. But it is now two and a half years later, and Indigenous impatience is growing.

It is not that the Liberals have stood still. The restructuring of the Indigenous Affairs department moves us in the right direction. The national commitment to UNDRIP seems to be somewhat back on track. The budgetary commitments are impressive, but the money is not flowing fast enough.