Justin Trudeau signals new approach to relationship with indigenous people

The first sign thatthis government is taking a new approach to its relationship with indigenous people came when Theland Kicknosway, a 12-year-old Cree drummer,led the way intoRideauHalltodayfor the swearing-in of JustinTrudeau and his cabinet.

There has been indigenous participation in the past, but today's ceremony was clearly meant to symbolizea new relationship with indigenouspeople and the government of Canada.

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The Cree boy's song ended and was quickly followed with an acknowledgement the gathering was on traditional Algonquin territory.

The ceremony also featured giggling Inuit throat singers who stole the show and wrapped upwith three Mtis jiggers.

Two indigenous ministers were sworn into Trudeau's cabinet:Jody Wilson-Raybould (Kwakwaka'wakw)was named minister of justice; andHunter Tootoo (Inuit) is the new minister of fisheries and the Canadian Coast Guard.

But perhaps the most symbolic change was the renaming of Aboriginal and Northern Affairs to Indigenous and Northern Affairs.

The new minister is longtime aboriginal affairs critic Carolyn Bennett, who held an eagle feather and a braid of sweetgrass as she was sworn in.

Hayden King, professor of Indigenous governance at Ryerson University, says the name change will be welcome in the indigenous community.

"Obviously Trudeau wants to be sensitive to indigenous people and the name change reflects a change in approach it's adopting our language. In that sense it's hard to critique the change."

King said the term indigenous has becomepreferred over aboriginal.

"I think indigenous is a term that actual native people, indigenous peoples, originated themselves. It comes from us as a people, so I think that's one reason that people prefer it."

"Aboriginal is kind of a status, legal, domestication of indigenous concerns, whereas indigenous or indigeneity is kind of sovereigntist, more authentic term used by indigenous people themselves."

Avideo of Theland's drummingpostedonFacebook quickly gained thousands of views and shares.

Andmanyof the comments containtheword hope.

But King is not convinced the symbolism will result in the "real change"that Trudeau has promised indigenous Canadians.

"Everybody wants to be hopeful. I want to be hopeful, I want to be optimistic, but Iam a student of history and my reservoir of cynicism is deep. There do seem to be some positive signs, but at the same time, we know what is going to happen."

Inuit throatsingers at swearing-in ceremony

9 years ago

Duration 0:54

Samantha Metcalfe and Cailyn Degrandpre of Ottawa broke into giggles following their performance

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