IndigenousPrime Minister Mark Carney announced the 11 members of the Indigenous Advisory Council, to advise the Major Projects Office, on Wednesday.First Nations, Inuit and Métis members appointed to 2-year termsPrime Minister Mark Carney delivers opening remarks ahead of the Métis Major Projects Summit at the Royal Canadian Geographical Society in Ottawa, on Aug. 7. (Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press)Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the members of an Indigenous Advisory Council, meant to help guide the work of the new Major Projects Office, on Wednesday.The Major Projects Office, which will be headquartered in Calgary, is aimed at getting “nation-building” projects built faster by streamlining and accelerating regulatory approval processes and helping the projects get financing.The Indigenous Advisory Council includes 11 representatives from First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities across the country who will hold an initial two-year term.”The expertise and advice of the Indigenous Advisory Council will help ensure these projects empower First Nations, Inuit, and Métis, and create greater opportunity, security, and prosperity for their communities,” Carney said in a news release.The members appointed to the Indigenous Advisory Council are: Kluane Adamek, Kluane First Nation in Yukon Chief Darcy Bear, Whitecap Dakota First Nation in Saskatchewan Vanessa Doig, Makivvik, Nunavik (Northern Quebec) JP Gladu, Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek in Ontario Victoria LaBillois, Listuguj Mi’gmaq Nation in Quebec Treaty 8 Grand Chief Trevor Mercredi, Beaver First Nation in Alberta Chief Terry Paul, Membertou First Nation in Nova Scotia Lorne Pelletier, Manitoba Métis Federation Christy Sinclair, Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., Nunavut Crystal Smith, Haisla Nation, British Columbia Matt Vermette, Métis Nation-Saskatchewan Many Indigenous leaders have voiced opposition to Carney’s plan to fast track major nation-building projects through the Building Canada Act, also known as Bill C-5, with concerns that it did not provide enough protection for Indigenous peoples’ right to be consulted on projects impacting their land and communities.The legislation, which was passed through Parliament in June, is one part of Canada’s plan to respond to U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff war.Carney hosted a series of summits with First Nations, Metis and Inuit leaders over the summer.Some First Nations leaders expressed frustration over the summit held in July, stating they had more concerns coming out of the meeting.ABOUT THE AUTHORJoy SpearChief-Morris is the recipient of the 2025 CJF-CBC Indigenous Journalism Fellowship. She is an Indigenous Black journalist and member of the Kainai Blood Tribe in Alberta. Joy has had bylines in The Globe and Mail, The Narwhal, The Walrus, The Toronto Star, CBC and Sportsnet.
Carney appoints 11 members to Major Project Office’s Indigenous Advisory Council
