The Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo MP and Shadow Minister for Indigenous and Northern Affairs is in the Maritimes this week working with First Nations chiefs.

Cathy McLeod is at the Assembly of First Nations happening in New Brunswick, where Chiefs discuss issues and debate motions to move forward on.

“Obviously the conversation around drinking water continues to be an important conversation. Ensuring that communities across this country have adequate and appropriate drinking water. Issues around housing, so again many issues that we’ve heard about. But also some positive (talks) looking forward.”

The annual three-day conference finishes tomorrow.

Meanwhile, at the AFN in New Brunswick, the Chief of a Kamloops-area First Nation says levels of government have failed so far to acknowledge the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women inquiry.

Neskonlith First Nation chief Judy Wilson says the federal government and provincial governments have only said they will review the MMIW report to this point.

Wilson spoke about the matter at the Assembly of First Nations happening in New Brunswick.

“Trudeau and the Premiers received copies of that report from chief commissioner Marion Buller, and they have not said they would endorse it, they have not said that they are going to implement a national action plan, they said they would review it. So it totally fell flat.”

Wilson also acknowledged a concern of climate change.

“We’re getting beyond that tipping point… And I think now because the federal government purchased the Trans Mountain pipeline, it caused a conflict of interests. Because now, they’re supposed to be the fiduciary and the duty of the Crown, and now they’re the owner of the pipeline that causes this conflict. So we don’t even know how biased they are when making these federal decisions.”

Chiefs at the AFN  passed a resolution to declare a global climate emergency, which passed by a unanimous vote according to the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs.