Churchill MP Niki Ashton says she is grateful to be named opposition critic for Aboriginal Affairs.
NDP Leader Tom Mulcair awarded Ashton the appointment last week.
“I am honoured to take on the role of Aboriginal Affairs critic for the NDP,” said Ashton in a press statement. “I look forward to working with First Nations, Métis and Inuit people in their struggles, and our collective struggle to build a better Canada. The vision of building a nation to nation relationship, founded on respect for Aboriginal and treaty rights and the pursuit of justice as defined by Indigenous peoples, will guide my work.”
Added Ashton: “As critic I will be speaking out for fairness and for justice, here in our region and across Canada.”
Ashton said Mulcair has been clear that Aboriginal issues represent a key priority for the NDP.
Mulcair has announced that an NDP government would call a national inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women, she said.
Ashton succeeds BC MP Jean Crowder in the critic’s role.
