The debate over fast-tracking legislation for so-called national interest projects is heating up.

One First Nations leader is promising a long, hot summer if the federal government passes Bill C-5.

Others are criticizing the national chief for her involvement in the so-called consultation process.

Meanwhile, Ontario Premier Doug Ford is apologizing after saying he treats First Nations “like gold” but they keep coming to him “cap in hand.”

That’s on this week’s Truth and Politics panel, along with a discussion on the importance of National Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

Joining host Dennis Ward are Jennifer Laewetz, CEO of Paskwâw Strategies and Niigaan Sinclair, columnist with the Winnipeg Free Press.

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APTN National News, our stories told our way.

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A new poll conducted for the Association of Canadian Studies finds a majority of Canadians reject the idea that they live on stolen Indigenous land. Fifty-two per cent of those polled in May 2025 say they do not live on stolen land – that number climbs to 60 per cent in Alberta. Among youth, however, half of students surveyed believe they do live on stolen land.

Also this week, Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew floats the idea of a new pipeline to ship oil to Hudson’s Bay.

Our Truth and Politics panel joins host Dennis Ward to weigh in.

Jennifer Laewetz is CEO of Paskwâw Strategies, and Niigaan Sinclair is a columnist with the Winnipeg Free Press.

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APTN National News, our stories told our way.

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The Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act – or Bill 5 – has now passed, despite concerns raised by First Nations.

It's the latest in a wave of legislation provincial governments are pushing forward as jurisdictions across the country look to launch development projects in part, in response to the Trump-era tariffs.

Our Truth and Politics panel joins host Dennis Ward to weigh in.

Jennifer Laewetz is CEO of Paskwâw Strategies, and Niigaan Sinclair is a columnist with the Winnipeg Free Press.

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APTN National News, our stories told our way.

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King Charles made a whirlwind visit to Canada, delivering the speech from the throne and meeting with leaders of the Assembly of First Nations, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and the Métis National Council.

In Saskatchewan, Glenn McCallum has been re-elected as president of the Métis Nation–Saskatchewan.

And in Manitoba, a state of emergency has been declared. The military has been called in to help evacuate communities as wildfires force thousands from their homes. Three First Nations in northern Saskatchewan are also facing evacuations.

Here to break it all down is our Truth and Politics panel.

Jennifer Laewetz is CEO of Paskwa Strategies and Niigaan Sinclair is a columnist with the Winnipeg Free Press.

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APTN National News, our stories told our way.

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Plenty of developments on the federal political scene this week.

Former chief and now Member of Parliament Billy Morin has been appointed the Conservative opposition critic for Indigenous Services.

The recently elected Liberal government says it won’t present a new budget until the fall.

And lawyers for the federal government say they’re done negotiating child welfare reform with the Assembly of First Nations and the Caring Society.

Here to break it all down is our Truth and Politics panel.

Jennifer Laewetz is CEO of Paskwâw Strategies and Niigaan Sinclair is a columnist with the Winnipeg Free Press.

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APTN National News, our stories told our way.

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This week, Prime Minister Mark Carney unveiled his new cabinet.

Three Indigenous members of Parliament will be part of his inner circle.

One of the most notable appointments is Mandy Gull-Masty, a former grand chief of the Grand Council of the Crees in Quebec.

She becomes the first Indigenous person to lead Indigenous Services Canada.

Our Truth and Politics panel is here, joining guest host Tiar Wheatle.

Niigaan Sinclair is a columnist with the Winnipeg Free Press, and helping us out this week is Cassidy Caron, the former president of the Métis National Council and a principal with First Peoples Group.

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APTN National News, our stories told our way.

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Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she isn’t calling for Alberta to separate, but she’s moving ahead with legislation that would make it easier. First Nations leaders are calling her rhetoric insanity and an attack on their rights.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that King Charles will make a rare visit to open the 45th Parliament of Canada.

And in a historic first, a pope from North America has been selected. Pope Leo XIV is from the United States.

Our Truth and Politics panel joins host Dennis Ward to weigh in.

Jennifer Laewetz is the CEO of Paskwaw Strategies and Niigaan Sinclair is a columnist with the Winnipeg Free Press.

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APTN National News, our stories told our way.

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The election is behind us and Mark Carney is now the elected prime minister of Canada with a slim minority. There are now questions about how long his government will last.

Meanwhile, Jagmeet Singh resigned as leader of the NDP on election night after his party was decimated and he lost his own seat.

The Conservatives increased their numbers, but Pierre Poilievre also lost his seat and the premier of Alberta is being accused of stoking separatism talk.

Our Truth and Politics panel joins host Dennis Ward to weigh in.

Jennifer Laewetz is the CEO of Paskwaw Strategies and Niigaan Sinclair is a columnist with the Winnipeg Free Press.

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APTN National News, our stories told our way.

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Pope Francis will be laid to rest this weekend, days after his death at the age of 87. The head of the Catholic Church visited Canada in 2022 to apologize for its role in the residential school system. His passing comes during the final stretch of a federal election campaign that has only recently begun to engage with Indigenous issues.

Our Truth and Politics panel joins host Dennis Ward to discuss the Pope’s legacy and unpack what’s at stake for Indigenous voters this federal election. Jennifer Laewetz, CEO of Paskwaw Strategies, and Niigaan Sinclair, columnist with the Winnipeg Free Press.

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APTN National News, our stories told our way.

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We’re more than two weeks into the federal election campaign and efforts are underway to get out the Indigenous vote.

The Assembly of First Nations says First Nations could be the deciding factor in 36 ridings across the country.

But Indigenous issues have been absent from the political discourse. Will that keep voters from heading to the polls?

For more, our Truth and Politics panel joins host Dennis Ward ahead of the Federal Leaders’ Debate.

Jennifer Laewetz, CEO of Paskwâw Harbour Strategies and Niigaan Sinclair, columnist with the Winnipeg Free Press.

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APTN National News, our stories told our way.

Visit our website for more: https://aptnnews.ca

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