Canada’s Indigenous services minister says Ottawa won’t dictate terms to First Nations on holding ceremonies and powwows during a pandemic. “If you believe in self-determination of Indigenous Peoples you have to respect choices even when you don’t agree with them,” Marc Miller said during a news briefing Friday.
Miller was responding to a question about a Manitoba First Nation organizing a powwow for next month. He said studies have shown that when decisions are made by Indigenous communities the medical results are better.
Cornell McLean, chief of the Lake Manitoba First Nation, said earlier this week that after careful consideration it was decided that the community’s traditional powwow would go ahead in June.