 Good morning Elders youth veterans National chief Belgard members of the AFN assembly AFN executive and chiefs in assembly Good morning. Thank you For once again giving me the opportunity to share a few words with you today I'd like to begin by recognizing that we are on the traditional land of the Algonquin people We acknowledge them as past present and future caretakers of this land as I stand before you today. I'm reminded of the very first time I addressed this assembly as prime minister in December 2015 I told you then what continues to be true now that the time had come for renewed nation-to-nation relationship with indigenous peoples a relationship based on recognition of rights respect cooperation and partnership Now we all knew that the road to reconciliation wouldn't be quick or easy But I vowed to begin this journey with you in real meaningful ways We've advanced a new chapter together one in which indigenous and non-indigenous people are building a better stronger Canada together Working in partnership with First Nations The government is taking action to close the gaps between the living conditions of indigenous and non-indigenous people Every person in Canada wherever they may live should be able to drink the water that comes out of their tap Every person in Canada Whoever they may be Should have a safe and affordable place to call home and be able to get a good education close to their family Yet indigenous peoples are more likely than any other in this country to face these challenges It's not new For too many years the government has been doing very little to eliminate the inequalities that cause suffering waiting for people We work together to change things for good For those who live in the reserves and access to drinking water We have made unprecedented investments to repair and improve access systems and use of water in indigenous communities Until now 62 views regarding the quality of drinking water in the long term have been raised What brings us closer to our goal is to eliminate all the views regarding the quality of drinking water in the long term in the collectivity of the first nations until March 2020 We're also investing in children and in families We've committed new funding to provide access to quality health care close to home and improve K to 12 education in communities and We're working in partnership to advance first nations-led solutions that first nations want to see in the child welfare System that put the well-being of children First so that fewer children end up in care and more children are reunited with their families and with their communities We're also investing to connect 17 first nations communities to Ontario's power grid So that they have access to clean safe and reliable energy While we know that there is still much to be done to close these gaps This is important impactful work that should inspire confidence in our shared future These much-needed investments attest to the strength of our commitment to renew the relationship with indigenous peoples based on recognition of rights respect co-operation and partnership So I did It comes often to my mind that a real reconciliation between the government of Canada and the autochtones And between the autochtones and the non-autochtones There will be places that if we dismantle the old colonialist structures and the mentalities that led to their adoption The government has abolished Abolish autochtones in North Canada and formed two new ministers in order to better respond to the immediate needs of communities while favoring the recognition of rights and a greater self-determination And to guarantee protection, preservation and revitalization of the autochtones in the country We work with you in order to establish a law on the autochtones In February, I announced the creation of a recognition and implementation of indigenous rights framework This framework will ensure that the recognition and implementation of rights is the basis for all relations between indigenous peoples and the federal government going forward It means that new policies Developed together will replace rights denying measures like the comprehensive claim policy So communities can exercise their inherent rights to self-determination and self-government The Minister of Crown Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Supported by the Minister of Justice is working in full partnership with First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples To determine the content of this framework These are some of the essential and overdue steps We are taking to ensure that indigenous peoples have full control of their own destiny and make their own decisions about their future Since the beginning of our mandate, I have often said that no relationship is more important to Canada than the relationship with indigenous peoples Every opportunity I've had to engage with communities like my visit to Pekanjakum in the fall Has strengthened my resolve to renew this relationship and deepened my understanding of reconciliation We have done so much together But we still have a long way to go on the path to true reconciliation and as your communities and nations develop your paths We will be there alongside you But there is no doubt that together We are moving in the right direction that together we are building a stronger better Canada Once again, I want to thank you for your invitation to be here today Chimigwetch, Masiccio, Gaila Kasla, Merci beaucoup tout le monde