May 21, 2026 - Winnipeg, Manitoba - Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, Sovereign Keewatin Yahthi Nations (Northern Manitoba) and First Nations Public Service Secretariat (British Columbia)

Today, the Honourable Rebecca Alty, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, Grand Chief Walter Wastesicoot, Sovereign Keewatin Yahthi Nations Grand Council (Manitoba), and Interim Director Celina Dorame, First Nations Public Service Secretariat - which is an initiative of the First Nations Summit (British Columbia) - announced $1.8 million in additional funding to support First Nations in Northern Manitoba and British Columbia.

The Honourable Minister Alty joined Grand Chief Wastesicoot to celebrate this announcement in Winnipeg with the Sovereign Keewatin Yahthi Nations. This funding will help communities participate in federal consultations, particularly on major projects that affect them and their traditional territories.

This investment is part of the $10.1 million committed in Budget 2025 over three years to continue the Federal Initiative on Consultation. This initiative provides communities with support for training, tools, communications, networking, research and information technology. With this funding, we are supporting communities to participate meaningfully in consultations on projects that affect them, while working together to build shared success and strengthen respectful relationships between Indigenous Peoples and Canada.