‘Gaps’ remain in improving people’s lives in the North: federal minister
Gary Anandasangaree looks forward to northern visit, insists government is making progress
Federal Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Gary Anandasangaree, appointed in July, looks forward to visiting the North in 2024. (Photo courtesy of Office of the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations)
The federal Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations says he’s proud of his department’s accomplishments and he wants to visit the North in 2024.
Just don’t offer him any seal meat.
“I feel like I’m allergic to it,” said Gary Anandasangaree, with a chuckle.
“Somebody gave me a seal bow tie and I wore it, and I’ve been reacting to it. So I feel I will stay away from that, but apart from that I’m excited.”
Anandasangaree, a Toronto area MP, was tapped by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to succeed Marc Miller in July. He previously held roles on several committees and served as parliamentary secretary to the justice minister.
As minister, Anandasangaree is responsible for overseeing the federal government’s relations with Inuit, First Nations and Métis .
In an interview shortly before Christmas, he said he believes he has a “fairly good” understanding of life in the North. While he hasn’t visited yet as minister, previously he travelled to Kuujjuaq, Iqaluit and the Northwest Territories.
“I know issues such as the dog slaughter, there’s enormous pain and hurt that is intergenerational over what’s happened,” he said, referring to the RCMP or government officials killing of sled dogs belonging to Inuit in the 1950s and 1960s.
“I’ve been able to meet a lot of survivors impacted by this and I think there’s a moment where we can move forward on some of these very critical issues. I want to do it in spaces where the community feels safe and at home.”
He points to some of his office’s achievements this year. Specifically for the North, he notes its work on the Urban, Rural and Northern Indigenous Housing Strategy, a $4-billion funding commitment to implement a strategy and address the housing needs of Indigenous Peoples.
The territory itself is currently working with the federal government on Nunavut 3000, a plan launched last year to see 3,000 new housing units built by the end of this decade.
Anandasangaree said he recognizes there is much more to be done, particularly for Indigenous communities in the North dealing with inadequate housing infrastructure, a lack of food security and the impacts of climate change.
“I’ll be the first to admit there are gaps, especially for those living in the North,” he said.
“We need to make sure that people are able to live comfortably, which requires governments to invest in basic needs and we are committed to that and we’ll continue on that journey.”
He acknowledged there is disappointment and frustration among many Indigenous people on the state of reconciliation and the pace of the government’s progress.
On Dec. 20, an Indigenous-led think tank at Toronto Metropolitan University announced it will no longer track and publish the government’s progress in responding to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action because of the government’s slow pace since the report was released in 2015.
The Yellowhead Institute’s annual report said no calls to action were completed in 2023, and it considers responses to only 13 of the 94 recommendations to be complete.
“To be clear, we are not giving up,” the report said. “We will continue to organize, analyze, and advocate for change in the many areas of community and academic life that continue to define our lives and work.”
Anandasangaree said he too is frustrated at the pace of reconciliation, but insists the government is making progress.
“We are on the trajectory that is getting us closer,” he said. “I also recognize the enormous frustrations I think Indigenous people have in not being able to arrive at that destination much faster. But we are unable to do that while we have very basic needs that are unmet.”
Anandasangaree said he will visit the North in 2024 as soon as it is feasible.
“As I always say, 134 years of colonization cannot be undone in a generation,” he said, “it’s going to take time. But I believe we’re taking the right steps toward that future.”
Invite him to visit in early February.
He could start in Grise Fiord, then Resolute Bay, perhaps Igloolik,
Sanirjak or maybe Taloyoak, Iqaluit, then Arviat and finally Saniqiluaq.
Or maybe he’d prefer a west to each visit.
There’s lots else he could eat instead of seal …
Aged meat…
It’s cute that he pretends to have a “fairly good understanding” of the North.
The illusion of explanatory depth (IOED) describes our belief that we understand more about the world than we actually do. It is often not until we are asked to actually explain a concept that we come face to face with our limited understanding of it.
“I know issues such as the dog slaughter, there’s enormous pain and hurt that is intergenerational over what’s happened,”
“I’ve been able to meet a lot of survivors impacted by this and I think there’s a moment where we can move forward on some of these very critical issues. I want to do it in spaces where the community feels safe and at home.”
I think Gary Anandasangaree could go toe-to-toe with Lori Idlout in a battle if the designated weapons were dogma and rhetoric
“Just don’t offer him any seal meat.
“I feel like I’m allergic to it,” said Gary Anandasangaree, with a chuckle.
“Somebody gave me a seal bow tie and I wore it, and I’ve been reacting to it. So I feel I will stay away from that, but apart from that I’m excited.”
That is an amazingly inappropriate comment.. seat is a mainstay food for many many peo
What are you on about? His potential allergies mean it’s an inappropriate comment? Can’t wait to tell all the Celiac disease sufferers how culturally insensitive they’re being to wheat farmers all across this globe.
He’s saying the seal skin have his body an allergic reaction after he wore it, so he is being cautious about seal meat because he is afraid it will also cause his body to react. How was it inappropriate?
That said, this was a weird interview.
“Gary Anandasangaree looks forward to northern visit” is what politicians say when they have a 2 day trip booked to iqaluit.
New houses is great, but what about the long amd much needed renovations the north needs. Every 15 years a house or building no matter the size, the pipes need replacement. When I fixed some heating issues as a plumbers assistant, or even watching housing fix heating pipes. The glycol would be brown or black color. Even after adding new glycol, it would go bad. Losing its heat. So much that needs fixing. Nunavut is far behind. Sometimes left out. Will see the work he does. If there’s any improvement in our lives. Will see it. Til than, we’ll see.
He should be assigned to visit and stay for a while too. Represent the government in walking in the footsteps of those relocated in 1950s for sovereignty. Start off in Grise Fiord, Resolute bay and work his way around there , and visit inukjuaq on the way too. He don’t have to eat no seal, but he could help people find animals , go with them hunting, and at least get a taste of what it must’ve been like years ago , first when they were moved.