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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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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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.

• • •

APTN National News, our stories told our way.

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Natural resources are a hot topic this federal election — in part because of U.S. President Donald Trump's shifting tariffs on Canadian imports.

Oil and gas came up when Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre met with chiefs in Edmonton at an event hosted by the Indian Resource Council.

Photos from the meeting sparked backlash, with some band members saying they didn't support what appeared to be an endorsement.

Our Truth and Politics panel joins host Creeson Agecoutay to weigh in. Jennifer Laewetz is CEO of Paskwâw Harbour 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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It's come to light this week that Prime Minister Mark Carney's father was the principal of a Federal Indian Day School.

Will this have an impact on Carney's run this federal election? And what is Carney's track record on Indigenous issues in this election campaign so far?

For more on this, our Truth and Politics panel joins host Dennis Ward.

Niigaan Sinclair, columnist with the Winnipeg Free Press, is on the panel this week along with Sheila North, executive director of external Indigenous relations at the University of Winnipeg.

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APTN National News, our stories told our way.

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The identity of Mashkode Bizhiki'ikwe — Buffalo Woman — has been revealed more than three years after she was killed by a Winnipeg serial killer.

Ashlee Shingoose's remains are believed to be in the Brady Road landfill, south of the city.

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew has committed to the family that a search will happen.

For more on this, our Truth and Politics panel joins host Dennis Ward.

Jennifer Laewetz, CEO of Paskwaw Harbour Strategies, is on the panel this week, along with Sheila North, executive director of external Indigenous relations at the University of Winnipeg.

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APTN National News, our stories told our way.

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The search of a Winnipeg-area landfill for Morgan Harris and Marcedes Myran has been a success – but unfortunately, politics played a role throughout the fight to get the search done.

For more on this, host Dennis Ward is joined by Jennifer Laewetz, CEO of Paskwâw Harbour Strategies, and Niigaan Sinclair, a 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

Hear more APTN News podcasts: https://www.aptnnews.ca/podcasts/