NAN looks to new Liberal government for action

Superior Morning6:54NAN Happy With Trudeau Win

Grand Chief of Nishnawbe Aski Nation Alvin Fiddler says he looks forward to working with a federal "Liberal" governmentThe Grand Chief of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN), which represents49 First Nations communities across northwestern Ontario,says he feels a sense of optimism with theelection of the federal Liberals under leader Justin Trudeau.

The Prime Minister-designate held a number of meetings with NAN leadership during the campaign and committed to working with the group, said Alvin Fiddler.

"He took the time to listen,not just to the leadership but the community members and to get a good understanding of the issues," said Fiddler.

The priority, and the hope is thatTrudeau'sapproachsignals a more respectful relationship between First Nations and the federal government, said Fiddler.

"The federal government',he said, " has to recognize the rights we have with our treaty."

This election also illustrated the desire for change that First Nations people are feeling, saidFiddler.

"The turnout at the polls was phenomenal," he said.

"There was the the sense we couldn`t afford another four years with Harper," he added.

Fiddler said NAN has anumber of priorities, including holding Trudeau to hiscommitment to holdan inquiry into missing and murdered indigenouswomen.

"We look forward to working with the governmentnot just to meet the needs of their communities, but families that have been affected by the tragedy," said Fiddler.