Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stresses need for nation-to-nation relationship

Also Tuesday, the Liberal government will announce its plans to press ahead with an inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women – with the first phase involving a consultation on how the inquiry should work and how far its mandate should extend.

Her comments are in stark contrast to former Conservative prime minister Stephen Harper, who consistently rejected calls for an inquiry.

“Furthermore, our elected leadership have made addressing this issue their top priority”.

Aboriginal dancers and elders walk with Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (2nd R) and AFN National Chief Perry Bellegarde (3rd R) as they enter the hall at the AFN Special Chiefs Assembly in Gatineau, Quebec, on December 8, 2015. Today is Tanya’s birthday.

The inquiry could last up to two years and cost $40 million.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is calling for a renewed relationship with First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples in Canada and standing by his election promises that, if implemented, would completely overhaul it.

Wilson-Raybould was joined at the announcement by Indigenous Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett and Status of Women Minister Patty Hajdu.

The report found indigenous women and girls accounted for 16 percent of female homicides and 11.3 percent of missing women, despite the fact indigenous women only make up 4.3 percent of the population. A special screening of “1200+ Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women”, a film produced by Leonard Yakir and Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Grand Chief Sheila North Wilson will take place Wednesday evening. “This inquiry is necessary to address and prevent future violence”.

The previous Conservative government increased funds for First Nations schools as part of a bill that would have reform the system and introduced new standards.

“What’s needed is nothing less than a total renewal of the relationship between Canada and First Nations peoples”, he said.

Beyond education, Trudeau promised that the Liberal government’s first budget will lift the two-per-cent funding cap that has been placed on First Nations programs for almost 20 years. “I see that change has already begun”. This includes identifying and addressing the root social, political and economic causes of violence against Indigenous women and girls, and respecting the rights of all Indigenous peoples.

Canadian aboriginal peoples under the Harper administration launched multiple campaigns to, among other things, stave the widespread environmental degradation that they said had infringed on their constitutionally guaranteed right to autonomy over tribal lands.

Trudeau said Tuesday that his government would implement all 94 recommendations from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.