FOG BLOG CANADA NEWS LOG: PRIME MINISTER TRUDEAU MET WITH ASSEMBLY OF FIRST NATIONS LEADERS!

Federal leaders, Trudeau rehash promises of reconciliation at Assembly of First Nations gathering Trudeau says the federal government is “trying to release absolutely everything” about the residential school system. OTTAWA The Assembly of First Nations’ annual winter gathering wrapped up in the nation’s capital Thursday with a bevy of federal party leaders, ministers and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau making a flurry of promises to advance reconciliation in Canada.

“The ability to come gather with you here, to hear from you directly, the ability also to move forward with … a framework for us to engage on your priorities, follow up on your plans, your steps, your challenges, the things you want to work on first, foremost and more: these are the things that we are there to do,” Trudeau told those attending the Special Chiefs Assembly in downtown Ottawa.

“We’re going to stick with you and we’re going to learn from you. And we will continue to move, not as fast as I’d like — certainly not as fast as you’d like — but we’re going to try and get it right every step of the way.”

First Nations chiefs from across the country have congregated in Canada’s capital this week to hash out strategies, outline priorities and debate resolutions critical to their communities.

Trudeau faced questions from a handful of chiefs, which included calls to release more records and documents tied to Canada’s horrific residential school system.

“We are trying to release absolutely everything. We’ve scoured, we’ve gone through, we’re pressing partners and religious leaders to release … everything to the Centre for Truth and Reconciliation in Winnipeg,” the prime minister said.

His comments came several hours after a series of resolutions dealing with the legacy of the government- and church-funded schools hit the assembly floor.

Right before those resolutions were debated, event organizers played a pre-recorded video of Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, in which the longtime politician said he was “still learning” about issues facing First Nations communities.