B.C. Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation John Rustad, a three-term Nechako Lakes MLA, right, speaks with former five-term Kootenay-Columbia MP Jim Abbott (Reform Party and Conservative Party of Canada) at the conclusion of today’s Cranbrook Chamber of Commerce Luncheon at the Prestige Inn and Conference Centre.

Keynote speaker Rustad provided a breakdown on what his ministry is all about and elaborated on the enlightening journey he has taken as Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation Minister since being appointed in 2013.

Continued improvements in relations with Canada’s and B.C.’s First Nations is a must, he said. He also noted Canada’s much-maligned Indian Act, passed in 1876, needs to be revamped to allow First Nations the best chances at success, something that could inject billions of dollars of additional revenue into the national and provincial economies.

Ian Cobb/e-KNOW photo

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