Canadian Government Executive - Volume 24 - Issue 06

28 / Canadian Government Executive // December 2018/January 2019 INDIGENOUS PARTNERSHIPS propose some starting principles: • Respect and recognition: Until we collectively acknowledge the forma- tive nature of Indigenous traditions in Canada, we will never fully achieve our potential as a nation. If there’s one thing we know, it’s that no country can ever reach its fullest potential without dig- nity for all. • Revisiting commonly held concep- tions: On matters of our governance structure and systems, land and environ- ment, sharing of authorities, reconcilia- tion, redress and recognition of rights, continued and thoughtful change is still required. The scope of that change will challenge those comfortable with the status quo. • Thinking of ourselves more broadly as a country of nations: How do we O bservers say that the electoral success was due, in part, to a promise to renew “a nation-to- nation relationship with In- digenous Peoples, based on recognition of rights, respect, co-operation, and part- nership” (Mandate Letters). Since then, executives across the federal government have been working towards realizing this promise. Of course, this promise came from a shared desire to renew our efforts to- wards collectively building a better fu- ture. In many ways, this is always the task of the executive: to seize the possibility that a future can be created, rather than accept an unsatisfying past. Imperfect or- igins needn’t stunt development; in fact, they make development possible. How then, do executives accomplish the goal of putting this promise into prac- tice with Indigenous partners? Let me Creating by Christian Allan Bertelsen After the general federal election in October 2015, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s party became the government. f rom our Imper fect Or igins a Better Canada