In this show, Alderville Chief Taynar Simpson discussed Governor General Mary Simon’s tenure, praising her for bringing Indigenous representation to a high office while noting the racism she faced.
The conversation also touched on Red Dress Day ceremonies in Alderville and the significance of continuing to focus on these cases, including the recent discovery of Rebecca Cantois.
The Chief explained the recent impact of a court decision regarding the Alberta separation referendum: Indigenous treaties are land-sharing agreements between sovereign nations rather than land surrenders, making it impossible for provinces to unilaterally separate while taking treaty lands with them.
The Chief supported the court’s decision requiring proper consultation with Indigenous peoples before any separation referendum could proceed, arguing that this follows existing legal requirements for free, prior, and informed consent. When asked about the scope of duty to consult, the Chief clarified that this obligation primarily applies to governments and large corporations for major developments, not individual property owners or small-scale projects.
Another topic was the recent federal budget update. The Chief explained that Indigenous services funding comes from separate sources and should not be viewed as additional spending beyond what non-Indigenous Canadians receive. He included Alderville’s major projects, including an assisted living facility conversion of a former women’s shelter building, which is awaiting funding through the Canada Builds program.
Originally aired: May 21, 2026
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