Why 3 First Nations leaders say talk about Canadian sovereignty should include Indigenous perspectives [Video]

Mark Carney visited Nunavut on Tuesday on his first official trip as prime minister.

While there, Carney said, “Canada is strong when we recognize Indigenous Peoples as the original stewards of this land, who remind us of the deep roots from which we grow and underscore the values to which we aspire.”

During the same visit, he announced military investments to strengthen Canada’s presence and sovereignty in the Arctic.

Talk about Canadian sovereignty — in the context of threats by U.S. President Donald Trump — and questions about what this means for Indigenous sovereignty and reconciliation are what brought together a Thursday morning panel discussion with Indigenous leaders Kory Wilson, Melanie Mark and Val Napoleon on CBC’s The Early Edition.

Recognizing Indigenous legal orders

“Indigenous sovereignty is the original sovereignty,” said Wilson, the chair of the B.C. First Nations Justice Council.

“Sovereignty isn’t about ownership and about sole determination. It’s about working together, living together and allowing …