Romeo Saganash otc None Re Hon, Justin Taadenu, Prime Minister of Canada, House of Commons, Orava, Ontario KIA ONG Bebeuary 6, 2017 Subject: National Canoe and Paeldle Program Mr. Trudeau, Your government has yet to invest the money required under legal obligations io end the racial discrimination of First Navions youth. However, as an Indigenous person T understand if there may not be enough money for the federal government to mect its legal and moral obligations to our chillleen. You can trust me that | truly understand why the Canadian government may not be able to respect our rights. Over the course of the history of Canacla, First Nations children have reeeived ‘more than our fair share so it is probably time for our youth to wait a turn. ‘That is why, if you mast make a choice in the upcoming budget, I am writing to you today t0 express my desire for a National Canoe and Paddle Program. As a Cree man, not oaly was I bom on the shores of lke, but I have spent much of my life navigating waters. However, I want you to know that it wasn'e uns your recent comments that 1 fully understood the importance of hav ashamed for my people that we haver’t been listening to our youth inthe way you have. But, it dd inake me thankful that che Peime Minister of this great country can continu to enlghren my peoples when he stated: yg storage for our canoes and paddles. In fet, 1am. "Nv spoken with a nuntver of dis who eid, "Yo kay, 390 needa youth conte. Vat kan, we need TVs and longer ad toa s they cam ban ara’ And whew a chief says that to sve, I pretty rach hans they haven't catnaly tala to ther yeas people because mos ofthe ox peapleU've tala fo want alae fo store ter canoes and pads cathy can const back ont on the lad and a lace with interes acess thy can da tir bameork" = Prine Minister Videos, 2017 Ieis truly aa honour for the fect time in the history of Canada to have a Dime Ministers the Minister of Youth so plugged ico our kids. As Prime Minister, you wrote to every member of Cabinet affirming that your telationship with Indigenous Peoples is the most important one, so who am T to argue with your eceat comments that you know what is best for Indigenous youth facing so nany critical issues including a suicide epidemic. Ottawa Val- Chibougamau 935 Confeerten 85, 3e Avenue, suteaog 3p 9, bre ‘oxen (Omar) KA aA vabeiOr (Quebec) IF 36 Chitougumaa (Quebec) CBP AN "Td. :637992-930, "el “Bi 84 a a ne70 "Whe Grow 088 Tee Bop Aay Tec Sa) Romo Sgerasheparl gece romooniginnh nesNational C: youth. [believe this is also why the’ Thatis why [believe joc and Paddle Program is absolutely critical to Indigenous uth and Reconciliation Commission made this natiosal program the seexet 95" Call to Action. Burther, I am heartened and encouraged to sve that your govt vent ie truly embracing the spirit of the UN Declaration including Article 25, which, reads, Indigenons peoples have the right to maintain and erongfben Uni distinctive spiritual lationship with ‘heir traditionally ovmned or otherwise oconpied and sed lands, tvritoies, waters and coastal seas and ler resourves and» uphold sss reponse to facuvesemenatons in tis regard Ie is time for the federal government to help First Nations maintain our very conneetion with the water. This is a connection that your government further embraces through your approval of projects like Site-C, Kinder Morgan, and the Muskrat Falls Dam. Once the canoe and paddle storage system is in place, Iwill personally paddle across the country to tell First Nations: concerned with the impacts of these projects, not 10 worry because with these urgently needed wportane spiritual budget investment for canoe storage depots out connection to the lands and waters is maintained. While Lam nor the Prime Minister whose primary relationship is with Indigenous Peoples, I would like to: make you aware of the fact that | founded the Cree Nation Youth Council in 1985. 1 feel this should provide the tiniest of assurances that I can speak from experience and expertise when say that the biggest issue facing Indigenous youth for the last 150 years has been the lack of sheds to store our canoes. I myself have often lamented the lack of space on Parliament Hill to store my canoe and paddle. I commend your vision, Prime Minister, and look forward to your government addressing this immediate crisis in the upcoming budget Sincerely,