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Monday, February 16, 2026

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Rose LeMay

Rose LeMay is Tlingit from the West Coast and the CEO of the Indigenous Reconciliation Group. She writes twice a month about Indigenous inclusion and reconciliation. In Tlingit worldview, the stories are the knowledge system, sometimes told through myth and sometimes contradicting the myths told by others. But always with at least some truth.

Wide-eyed patriotism is an Indigenous value

  • When former prime minister Jean Chrétien says we have to stop looking back at the problems in Canada instead of looking forward at the
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | February 9, 2026
Former Liberal prime minister Jean Chrétien's comments at a recent event in Ottawa ignore the damage he caused to Canada's relationship with Indigenous Peoples during his time in government, Rose LeMay writes. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Wide-eyed patriotism is an Indigenous value

Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | February 9, 2026
  • When former prime minister Jean Chrétien says we have to stop looking back at the problems in Canada instead of looking forward at the

Wide-eyed patriotism is an Indigenous value

Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | February 9, 2026
  • When former prime minister Jean Chrétien says we have to stop looking back at the problems in Canada instead of looking forward at the
Former Liberal prime minister Jean Chrétien's comments at a recent event in Ottawa ignore the damage he caused to Canada's relationship with Indigenous Peoples during his time in government, Rose LeMay writes. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Principled-based pragmatism and the wisdom of the seven generations

  • An easy win for the prime minister to show his commitment to Indigenous inclusion is to name an Indigenous individual to be our next
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | January 26, 2026
Métis artist Tracey-Mae Chambers' giant red wool, silk, and cotton crocheted art installation hangs outside Rideau Hall on July 1, 2023. Rose LeMay says the next Governor General of Canada should be an Indigenous person. The Hill Times photographs by Kate Malloy

Principled-based pragmatism and the wisdom of the seven generations

Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | January 26, 2026
  • An easy win for the prime minister to show his commitment to Indigenous inclusion is to name an Indigenous individual to be our next

Principled-based pragmatism and the wisdom of the seven generations

Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | January 26, 2026
  • An easy win for the prime minister to show his commitment to Indigenous inclusion is to name an Indigenous individual to be our next
Métis artist Tracey-Mae Chambers' giant red wool, silk, and cotton crocheted art installation hangs outside Rideau Hall on July 1, 2023. Rose LeMay says the next Governor General of Canada should be an Indigenous person. The Hill Times photographs by Kate Malloy

Poilievre praises a president who threatens democracies—including ours—on a daily basis

  • Every time a communication like this comes from our political right, it will be perceived as feeding the Donald Trump machine. It is taking
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | January 12, 2026
Pierre Poilievre
Pierre Poilievre
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's recent X post complimenting the U.S.' seizure of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro added, "Down with socialism." This statement comes from a Canadian politician who makes approximately $300,000 per year, has a guaranteed pension, publicly funded health care, and lives in free housing, writes Rose LeMay. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Poilievre praises a president who threatens democracies—including ours—on a daily basis

Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | January 12, 2026
  • Every time a communication like this comes from our political right, it will be perceived as feeding the Donald Trump machine. It is taking

Poilievre praises a president who threatens democracies—including ours—on a daily basis

Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | January 12, 2026
  • Every time a communication like this comes from our political right, it will be perceived as feeding the Donald Trump machine. It is taking
Pierre Poilievre
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's recent X post complimenting the U.S.' seizure of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro added, "Down with socialism." This statement comes from a Canadian politician who makes approximately $300,000 per year, has a guaranteed pension, publicly funded health care, and lives in free housing, writes Rose LeMay. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

A decade of delays on Indigenous rights

  • Call me a dreamer, but this winter solstice season I’m practising hope that 2026 is the year Canada recognizes its strength and credibility as
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | December 22, 2025
Survivor Keith Cheifmoon speaks at the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation event on Parliament Hill on Sept. 30, 2024. How about we fundamentally increase the speed of reconciliation? Prioritize it as a strategic goal for 10 years with funding and intent to close the gap in 75 per cent of the inequities facing Indigenous Peoples?  The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

A decade of delays on Indigenous rights

Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | December 22, 2025
  • Call me a dreamer, but this winter solstice season I’m practising hope that 2026 is the year Canada recognizes its strength and credibility as

A decade of delays on Indigenous rights

Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | December 22, 2025
  • Call me a dreamer, but this winter solstice season I’m practising hope that 2026 is the year Canada recognizes its strength and credibility as
Survivor Keith Cheifmoon speaks at the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation event on Parliament Hill on Sept. 30, 2024. How about we fundamentally increase the speed of reconciliation? Prioritize it as a strategic goal for 10 years with funding and intent to close the gap in 75 per cent of the inequities facing Indigenous Peoples?  The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Democracy, like a Christmas gift, is best unwrapped

  • The Prime Minister’s Office is taking a decidedly corporate approach. Then it should make sure that the essential piece of corporate governance is included
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | December 15, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney needs to work on being more transparent with Canada's board of directors: its voters, writes Rose LeMay. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Democracy, like a Christmas gift, is best unwrapped

Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | December 15, 2025
  • The Prime Minister’s Office is taking a decidedly corporate approach. Then it should make sure that the essential piece of corporate governance is included

Democracy, like a Christmas gift, is best unwrapped

Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | December 15, 2025
  • The Prime Minister’s Office is taking a decidedly corporate approach. Then it should make sure that the essential piece of corporate governance is included
Prime Minister Mark Carney needs to work on being more transparent with Canada's board of directors: its voters, writes Rose LeMay. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The responsibility to avoid fraud

  • The Thomas King books are already boxed up to go. I’m left with sadness and anger that pretendians continue to take space and voice
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | December 1, 2025
Being First Nation in this country is not the easiest thing, writes Rose LeMay. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The responsibility to avoid fraud

Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | December 1, 2025
  • The Thomas King books are already boxed up to go. I’m left with sadness and anger that pretendians continue to take space and voice

The responsibility to avoid fraud

Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | December 1, 2025
  • The Thomas King books are already boxed up to go. I’m left with sadness and anger that pretendians continue to take space and voice
Being First Nation in this country is not the easiest thing, writes Rose LeMay. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The one where the minister called the Senate racist

  • In looking to fast-track amendments to Bill S-2, Senators were upholding the rights of First Nations women, and there is nothing racist about that—period.
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | November 19, 2025
Mandy Gull-Masty
Mandy Gull-Masty
Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull-Masty. This government would be well advised to find some humility, and work with the strong allies in the Senate who advocate for the well-being of Indigenous Peoples, writes Rose LeMay. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The one where the minister called the Senate racist

Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | November 19, 2025
  • In looking to fast-track amendments to Bill S-2, Senators were upholding the rights of First Nations women, and there is nothing racist about that—period.

The one where the minister called the Senate racist

Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | November 19, 2025
  • In looking to fast-track amendments to Bill S-2, Senators were upholding the rights of First Nations women, and there is nothing racist about that—period.
Mandy Gull-Masty
Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull-Masty. This government would be well advised to find some humility, and work with the strong allies in the Senate who advocate for the well-being of Indigenous Peoples, writes Rose LeMay. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

A debt of gratitude for Ivan Zinger, correctional investigator

  • Five federally operated regional treatment centres are 'not fit for the purpose,' and Ivan Zinger argues the Correctional Service of Canada should not even be
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | November 17, 2025
Dr. Ivan Zinger, correctional investigator of Canada, holds up his last annual report on Nov. 12, 2025, at the National Press Theatre in Ottawa. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

A debt of gratitude for Ivan Zinger, correctional investigator

Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | November 17, 2025
  • Five federally operated regional treatment centres are 'not fit for the purpose,' and Ivan Zinger argues the Correctional Service of Canada should not even be

A debt of gratitude for Ivan Zinger, correctional investigator

Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | November 17, 2025
  • Five federally operated regional treatment centres are 'not fit for the purpose,' and Ivan Zinger argues the Correctional Service of Canada should not even be
Dr. Ivan Zinger, correctional investigator of Canada, holds up his last annual report on Nov. 12, 2025, at the National Press Theatre in Ottawa. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

If Indigenous health is an expected outcome of reconciliation, we’re in trouble

  • The Non-Insured Health Benefits program covers less than provincial and territorial health care, even though the Canada Health Act stipulates that Canadians will have
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | November 3, 2025
Minister of Women Rechie Valdez, left, Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull-Masty, and Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne, with other Liberal MPs in Ottawa on Oct 29. If the Non-Insured Health Benefits program is such a good program, then MPs and senators should use it to cover their health care services, writes Rose LeMay. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

If Indigenous health is an expected outcome of reconciliation, we’re in trouble

Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | November 3, 2025
  • The Non-Insured Health Benefits program covers less than provincial and territorial health care, even though the Canada Health Act stipulates that Canadians will have

If Indigenous health is an expected outcome of reconciliation, we’re in trouble

Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | November 3, 2025
  • The Non-Insured Health Benefits program covers less than provincial and territorial health care, even though the Canada Health Act stipulates that Canadians will have
Minister of Women Rechie Valdez, left, Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull-Masty, and Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne, with other Liberal MPs in Ottawa on Oct 29. If the Non-Insured Health Benefits program is such a good program, then MPs and senators should use it to cover their health care services, writes Rose LeMay. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

A note about protecting Indigenous Peoples in the 2025 budget

  • In the budget discussions, it might be worth remembering that reconciliation means fixing systems that are broken. This includes wildly huge administrative budgets.
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | October 20, 2025
Rose LeMay writes that Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne, pictured, should take care to ensure that any budget funding cuts to Indigenous Services Canada don't impact actual programming. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

A note about protecting Indigenous Peoples in the 2025 budget

Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | October 20, 2025
  • In the budget discussions, it might be worth remembering that reconciliation means fixing systems that are broken. This includes wildly huge administrative budgets.

A note about protecting Indigenous Peoples in the 2025 budget

Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | October 20, 2025
  • In the budget discussions, it might be worth remembering that reconciliation means fixing systems that are broken. This includes wildly huge administrative budgets.
Rose LeMay writes that Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne, pictured, should take care to ensure that any budget funding cuts to Indigenous Services Canada don't impact actual programming. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Reconciliation is a value, not a policy

  • When reconciliation is a value as well as a necessity in order to uphold Canada’s place in the world, then it doesn't get bumped
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | September 29, 2025
Red Sky Performance dancers, pictured on Sept. 30, 2019, at the Honouring National Day for Truth and Reconciliation ceremony at the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Que. Values are not something that drop off the strategic list when times get tough. Values are the bedrock of the way we choose to be in the world, writes Rose LeMay. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Reconciliation is a value, not a policy

Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | September 29, 2025
  • When reconciliation is a value as well as a necessity in order to uphold Canada’s place in the world, then it doesn't get bumped

Reconciliation is a value, not a policy

Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | September 29, 2025
  • When reconciliation is a value as well as a necessity in order to uphold Canada’s place in the world, then it doesn't get bumped
Red Sky Performance dancers, pictured on Sept. 30, 2019, at the Honouring National Day for Truth and Reconciliation ceremony at the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Que. Values are not something that drop off the strategic list when times get tough. Values are the bedrock of the way we choose to be in the world, writes Rose LeMay. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Don’t pray in Quebec, but pray for Quebec

  • The premier in Quebec wants to outlaw prayer in public. It sounds like a Saturday Night Live sketch, but it isn’t. 
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | September 15, 2025
Quebec Premier François Legault, pictured at a first ministers' meeting in Ottawa on Jan. 15, 2025. The next federal government event in Gatineau that starts with an Inuk Elder lighting the kulik? Illegal, if the Legault has his way, writes Rose LeMay. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Don’t pray in Quebec, but pray for Quebec

Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | September 15, 2025
  • The premier in Quebec wants to outlaw prayer in public. It sounds like a Saturday Night Live sketch, but it isn’t. 

Don’t pray in Quebec, but pray for Quebec

Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | September 15, 2025
  • The premier in Quebec wants to outlaw prayer in public. It sounds like a Saturday Night Live sketch, but it isn’t. 
Quebec Premier François Legault, pictured at a first ministers' meeting in Ottawa on Jan. 15, 2025. The next federal government event in Gatineau that starts with an Inuk Elder lighting the kulik? Illegal, if the Legault has his way, writes Rose LeMay. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

A letter to American Democrats and Canadian liberals about the MAGA movement

  • 'Maple MAGA' in Canada is a real thing, too. The movement that will break American democracy is also in our backyards.
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | September 8, 2025
United States President Donald Trump. All that MAGA has shown itself to be is a group where anger is the primary motivator, and this rarely results in positive outcomes on its own, writes Rose LeMay. Official White House Photo by Molly Riley via Flickr

A letter to American Democrats and Canadian liberals about the MAGA movement

Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | September 8, 2025
  • 'Maple MAGA' in Canada is a real thing, too. The movement that will break American democracy is also in our backyards.

A letter to American Democrats and Canadian liberals about the MAGA movement

Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | September 8, 2025
  • 'Maple MAGA' in Canada is a real thing, too. The movement that will break American democracy is also in our backyards.
United States President Donald Trump. All that MAGA has shown itself to be is a group where anger is the primary motivator, and this rarely results in positive outcomes on its own, writes Rose LeMay. Official White House Photo by Molly Riley via Flickr

Air Canada mess is a lesson for government

  • The government’s goal of reducing spending across the board is too much like Air Canada cutting all of its flights overnight without due process.
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | August 25, 2025
Rose LeMay writes that the federal government should heed lessons from Air Canada's choice to focus on less spending, thereby ignoring the needs of the end user. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Air Canada mess is a lesson for government

Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | August 25, 2025
  • The government’s goal of reducing spending across the board is too much like Air Canada cutting all of its flights overnight without due process.

Air Canada mess is a lesson for government

Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | August 25, 2025
  • The government’s goal of reducing spending across the board is too much like Air Canada cutting all of its flights overnight without due process.
Rose LeMay writes that the federal government should heed lessons from Air Canada's choice to focus on less spending, thereby ignoring the needs of the end user. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Why government’s aversion to risk impacts Indigenous Peoples the most

  • CIRNAC and ISC must be forced to actually get the money out the door to Indigenous communities because this is the rare case in
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | July 14, 2025
Rebecca Alty, Mark Carney
Rebecca Alty, Mark Carney
As a part of Prime Minister Mark Carney's, right, spending review of government operations, departments that serve Indigenous Peoples—including Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada led by Minister Rebecca Alty, left—must be required to fulfill their spending obligations and "get the money out the door," writes Rose LeMay. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Why government’s aversion to risk impacts Indigenous Peoples the most

Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | July 14, 2025
  • CIRNAC and ISC must be forced to actually get the money out the door to Indigenous communities because this is the rare case in

Why government’s aversion to risk impacts Indigenous Peoples the most

Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | July 14, 2025
  • CIRNAC and ISC must be forced to actually get the money out the door to Indigenous communities because this is the rare case in
Rebecca Alty, Mark Carney
As a part of Prime Minister Mark Carney's, right, spending review of government operations, departments that serve Indigenous Peoples—including Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada led by Minister Rebecca Alty, left—must be required to fulfill their spending obligations and "get the money out the door," writes Rose LeMay. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Here are some ways to revolutionize the federal government for tomorrow’s challenges

  • The federal government needs to stop hiring generalist policy writers and start hiring experts in their field, and then hire managers and leaders with
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | June 30, 2025
Mark Carney
Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney holds his first post-election press conference in the National Press Theatre on May 2, 2025. Carney appears to have a capacity for risk, and is expected to demand the same of the public service, writes Rose LeMay. This will have to include proper consequences for bureaucrats who make bad decisions. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Here are some ways to revolutionize the federal government for tomorrow’s challenges

Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | June 30, 2025
  • The federal government needs to stop hiring generalist policy writers and start hiring experts in their field, and then hire managers and leaders with

Here are some ways to revolutionize the federal government for tomorrow’s challenges

Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | June 30, 2025
  • The federal government needs to stop hiring generalist policy writers and start hiring experts in their field, and then hire managers and leaders with
Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney holds his first post-election press conference in the National Press Theatre on May 2, 2025. Carney appears to have a capacity for risk, and is expected to demand the same of the public service, writes Rose LeMay. This will have to include proper consequences for bureaucrats who make bad decisions. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Nothing says colonization better than special economic zones

  • There are no good ethics in trampling over the rights of Indigenous Peoples in the rush for national projects. That's actually the very definition of
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | June 16, 2025
Ontario Premier Doug Ford's government passed Bill 5, and it's like Groundhog Day all over again. The bill means that the economy trumps over wildlife, clean water, and human rights, writes Rose LeMay. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Nothing says colonization better than special economic zones

Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | June 16, 2025
  • There are no good ethics in trampling over the rights of Indigenous Peoples in the rush for national projects. That's actually the very definition of

Nothing says colonization better than special economic zones

Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | June 16, 2025
  • There are no good ethics in trampling over the rights of Indigenous Peoples in the rush for national projects. That's actually the very definition of
Ontario Premier Doug Ford's government passed Bill 5, and it's like Groundhog Day all over again. The bill means that the economy trumps over wildlife, clean water, and human rights, writes Rose LeMay. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Wildfires, climate change, and will we make it through?

  • The global economy and Canada’s part in it is worth some focus, for sure. But one has to wonder if climate change in this very
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | June 2, 2025
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew declared a state of emergency in the province last week because of fast-spreading and extreme wildfires in northern Manitoba. Thousands of First Nations people in northern Manitoba were evacuated. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Wildfires, climate change, and will we make it through?

Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | June 2, 2025
  • The global economy and Canada’s part in it is worth some focus, for sure. But one has to wonder if climate change in this very

Wildfires, climate change, and will we make it through?

Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | June 2, 2025
  • The global economy and Canada’s part in it is worth some focus, for sure. But one has to wonder if climate change in this very
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew declared a state of emergency in the province last week because of fast-spreading and extreme wildfires in northern Manitoba. Thousands of First Nations people in northern Manitoba were evacuated. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Keep the focus on the citizens who must benefit from federal governance

  • If this session of Parliament cannot or will not include Indigenous Peoples across every single department and policy, then reconciliation will surely die on
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | May 26, 2025
Carney's cabinet
Carney's cabinet
Gender and Equity Minister Rechie Valdez, left, Treasury Board President Shafqat Ali, Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Rebecca Alty, Canada-U.S. Relations Minister Dominic LeBlanc, Northern and Arctic Affairs Minister Rebecca Chartrand, and International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu after being sworn into cabinet on May 13, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Keep the focus on the citizens who must benefit from federal governance

Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | May 26, 2025
  • If this session of Parliament cannot or will not include Indigenous Peoples across every single department and policy, then reconciliation will surely die on

Keep the focus on the citizens who must benefit from federal governance

Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | May 26, 2025
  • If this session of Parliament cannot or will not include Indigenous Peoples across every single department and policy, then reconciliation will surely die on
Carney's cabinet
Gender and Equity Minister Rechie Valdez, left, Treasury Board President Shafqat Ali, Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Rebecca Alty, Canada-U.S. Relations Minister Dominic LeBlanc, Northern and Arctic Affairs Minister Rebecca Chartrand, and International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu after being sworn into cabinet on May 13, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

If anybody should have left Canada, it was First Nations

  • No province or territory is systematically victimized. If you want to talk systematic victimization and systemic underfunding, then look no further than at First Nations
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | May 19, 2025
Premier of Alberta Danielle Smith speaks at the Canada Strong and Free Network conferencein Ottawa on April 10, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Premier of Alberta Danielle Smith speaks at the Canada Strong and Free Network conferencein Ottawa on April 10, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith at the Canada Strong and Free Network conference Ottawa on April 10, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

If anybody should have left Canada, it was First Nations

Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | May 19, 2025
  • No province or territory is systematically victimized. If you want to talk systematic victimization and systemic underfunding, then look no further than at First Nations

If anybody should have left Canada, it was First Nations

Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | May 19, 2025
  • No province or territory is systematically victimized. If you want to talk systematic victimization and systemic underfunding, then look no further than at First Nations
Premier of Alberta Danielle Smith speaks at the Canada Strong and Free Network conferencein Ottawa on April 10, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith at the Canada Strong and Free Network conference Ottawa on April 10, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

A letter to Prime Minister Carney, from Rose LeMay

  • This is a request to pause to consider a priority that escaped discussion during the campaign—reconciliation and the wellbeing of Indigenous Peoples of this
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | May 5, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney should make reconciliation a mandatory item in every federal line department and agency, writes Rose LeMay. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

A letter to Prime Minister Carney, from Rose LeMay

Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | May 5, 2025
  • This is a request to pause to consider a priority that escaped discussion during the campaign—reconciliation and the wellbeing of Indigenous Peoples of this

A letter to Prime Minister Carney, from Rose LeMay

Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | May 5, 2025
  • This is a request to pause to consider a priority that escaped discussion during the campaign—reconciliation and the wellbeing of Indigenous Peoples of this
Prime Minister Mark Carney should make reconciliation a mandatory item in every federal line department and agency, writes Rose LeMay. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Vote for ‘we’ instead of ‘me’ in this election

  • Canada’s sovereignty is explicitly being targeted by the failed state of America. We will need to continue to rip down inter-provincial trade barriers like our
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | April 21, 2025
This may be one of the first elections that Canadians are looking squarely at our own unity in the face of external pressures, writes Rose LeMay. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Vote for ‘we’ instead of ‘me’ in this election

Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | April 21, 2025
  • Canada’s sovereignty is explicitly being targeted by the failed state of America. We will need to continue to rip down inter-provincial trade barriers like our

Vote for ‘we’ instead of ‘me’ in this election

Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | April 21, 2025
  • Canada’s sovereignty is explicitly being targeted by the failed state of America. We will need to continue to rip down inter-provincial trade barriers like our
This may be one of the first elections that Canadians are looking squarely at our own unity in the face of external pressures, writes Rose LeMay. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Questions that should be asked at the political leaders’ debates

  • Here’s to looking forward to political debates when Indigenous voices ask the leaders about their commitments to reconciliation, and asks about the economy on
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | April 7, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, and Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet. Every political party should have at least three priorities on reconciliation that reflect their Indigenous citizens’ voices, writes Rose LeMay. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Questions that should be asked at the political leaders’ debates

Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | April 7, 2025
  • Here’s to looking forward to political debates when Indigenous voices ask the leaders about their commitments to reconciliation, and asks about the economy on

Questions that should be asked at the political leaders’ debates

Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | April 7, 2025
  • Here’s to looking forward to political debates when Indigenous voices ask the leaders about their commitments to reconciliation, and asks about the economy on
Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, and Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet. Every political party should have at least three priorities on reconciliation that reflect their Indigenous citizens’ voices, writes Rose LeMay. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

The ‘artificial border’ and how it can be corrected

  • The sad fact is that all border treaty discussions between Britain—and then Canada—with the United States did not include Indigenous Peoples.
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | March 24, 2025

The ‘artificial border’ and how it can be corrected

Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | March 24, 2025
  • The sad fact is that all border treaty discussions between Britain—and then Canada—with the United States did not include Indigenous Peoples.

The ‘artificial border’ and how it can be corrected

Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | March 24, 2025
  • The sad fact is that all border treaty discussions between Britain—and then Canada—with the United States did not include Indigenous Peoples.

About that memo of unity in the face of a common threat

  • In times of crisis, don’t disrespect the original peoples of this country by bringing up some racist historical figure in a misguided attempt to
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | March 10, 2025
Pierre Poilievre
Pierre Poilievre
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre holds a press conference in West Block on March 4, 2025, in reaction to the levying of 25-per-cent tariffs by the American government on Canadian exports. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

About that memo of unity in the face of a common threat

Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | March 10, 2025
  • In times of crisis, don’t disrespect the original peoples of this country by bringing up some racist historical figure in a misguided attempt to

About that memo of unity in the face of a common threat

Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | March 10, 2025
  • In times of crisis, don’t disrespect the original peoples of this country by bringing up some racist historical figure in a misguided attempt to
Pierre Poilievre
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre holds a press conference in West Block on March 4, 2025, in reaction to the levying of 25-per-cent tariffs by the American government on Canadian exports. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Moderation against tyranny is the wrong choice

  • It's obvious that the goal of this tyrannous Trump administration is to break government and democracy. There won’t be any 'going back.' We need
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | February 24, 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump is taking a sledgehammer to the American government, and Rose LeMay says, here in Canada, now is the time for Canadians to come together across partisan lines, across racial and cultural lines. Now is actually the time to fight tyranny. It’s here, it’s ugly, and we don’t have much time. Photograph courtesy of Gage Skidmore/Flickr

Moderation against tyranny is the wrong choice

Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | February 24, 2025
  • It's obvious that the goal of this tyrannous Trump administration is to break government and democracy. There won’t be any 'going back.' We need

Moderation against tyranny is the wrong choice

Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | February 24, 2025
  • It's obvious that the goal of this tyrannous Trump administration is to break government and democracy. There won’t be any 'going back.' We need
U.S. President Donald Trump is taking a sledgehammer to the American government, and Rose LeMay says, here in Canada, now is the time for Canadians to come together across partisan lines, across racial and cultural lines. Now is actually the time to fight tyranny. It’s here, it’s ugly, and we don’t have much time. Photograph courtesy of Gage Skidmore/Flickr

Canada land and spirit

  • When Canadians have pride in each other, we are unstoppable because of the strength of our shared sense of spirit.  
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | February 10, 2025
This is a call for us to protect each other across the differences—because of the differences, writes Rose LeMay. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada land and spirit

Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | February 10, 2025
  • When Canadians have pride in each other, we are unstoppable because of the strength of our shared sense of spirit.  

Canada land and spirit

Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | February 10, 2025
  • When Canadians have pride in each other, we are unstoppable because of the strength of our shared sense of spirit.  
This is a call for us to protect each other across the differences—because of the differences, writes Rose LeMay. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
More Stories

Correctional investigator’s scathing report illustrates Canada’s refusal to protect its own citizens

  • OTTAWA—Is reconciliation dead? Last week the Office of the Correctional Investigator issued a scathing report on the state of Indigenous people in federal prisons.
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | January 27, 2020
Last week the Office of the Correctional Investigator issued a scathing report on the state of Indigenous people in federal prisons. It’s bad. The overall proportion of Indigenous people is at 30 per cent, and for Indigenous women the figure is even higher. Photograph courtesy Pixabay

Correctional investigator’s scathing report illustrates Canada’s refusal to protect its own citizens

Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | January 27, 2020
  • OTTAWA—Is reconciliation dead? Last week the Office of the Correctional Investigator issued a scathing report on the state of Indigenous people in federal prisons.

Correctional investigator’s scathing report illustrates Canada’s refusal to protect its own citizens

Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | January 27, 2020
  • OTTAWA—Is reconciliation dead? Last week the Office of the Correctional Investigator issued a scathing report on the state of Indigenous people in federal prisons.
Last week the Office of the Correctional Investigator issued a scathing report on the state of Indigenous people in federal prisons. It’s bad. The overall proportion of Indigenous people is at 30 per cent, and for Indigenous women the figure is even higher. Photograph courtesy Pixabay

Build understanding, build respect: how hard can it be?

  • OTTAWA—I teach about cultural competence and the lack of understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians. One of the consistent responses from non-Indigenous participants is
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | January 13, 2020
Red Sky Performance, pictured on Sept. 30, 2019, at the Honouring National Day for Truth and Reconciliation ceremony at the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Que. One of the consistent responses from non-Indigenous participants is shock about the amount of pain that some Indigenous families go through, writes Rose LeMay. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Build understanding, build respect: how hard can it be?

Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | January 13, 2020
  • OTTAWA—I teach about cultural competence and the lack of understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians. One of the consistent responses from non-Indigenous participants is

Build understanding, build respect: how hard can it be?

Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | January 13, 2020
  • OTTAWA—I teach about cultural competence and the lack of understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians. One of the consistent responses from non-Indigenous participants is
Red Sky Performance, pictured on Sept. 30, 2019, at the Honouring National Day for Truth and Reconciliation ceremony at the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Que. One of the consistent responses from non-Indigenous participants is shock about the amount of pain that some Indigenous families go through, writes Rose LeMay. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Imagine a different future for Indigenous Canada

  • OTTAWA—I was going to write about the new federal cabinet. Then I heard Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller spout the same doublespeak as his
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | December 16, 2019
Canada's new federal Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller, pictured with his wife and daughter on Nov. 20, 2019, shortly before being sworn into cabinet in Ottawa at Rideau Hall. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Imagine a different future for Indigenous Canada

Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | December 16, 2019
  • OTTAWA—I was going to write about the new federal cabinet. Then I heard Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller spout the same doublespeak as his

Imagine a different future for Indigenous Canada

Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | December 16, 2019
  • OTTAWA—I was going to write about the new federal cabinet. Then I heard Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller spout the same doublespeak as his
Canada's new federal Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller, pictured with his wife and daughter on Nov. 20, 2019, shortly before being sworn into cabinet in Ottawa at Rideau Hall. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Do we have a responsibility to do something about Thunder Bay?

  • OTTAWA—A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to see Thunder Bay, Ont., again, and it was winter already. I travelled there to attend
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | December 2, 2019
Author and journalist Tanya Talaga, pictured March 29, 2019, at the Broadbent Institute Progress Summit in Ottawa. Ms. Talaga's award-winning book, Seven Fallen Feathers: Racism, Death and Hard Truths in a Northern City, chronicles the death of seven young First Nations people in Thunder Bay, Ont., between 2000 and 2011. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Do we have a responsibility to do something about Thunder Bay?

Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | December 2, 2019
  • OTTAWA—A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to see Thunder Bay, Ont., again, and it was winter already. I travelled there to attend

Do we have a responsibility to do something about Thunder Bay?

Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | December 2, 2019
  • OTTAWA—A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to see Thunder Bay, Ont., again, and it was winter already. I travelled there to attend
Author and journalist Tanya Talaga, pictured March 29, 2019, at the Broadbent Institute Progress Summit in Ottawa. Ms. Talaga's award-winning book, Seven Fallen Feathers: Racism, Death and Hard Truths in a Northern City, chronicles the death of seven young First Nations people in Thunder Bay, Ont., between 2000 and 2011. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Potential ministers should have excellent cultural competence

  • OTTAWA—One of the ways that the Government of Canada can reduce conflict with Indigenous peoples is by valuing, even demanding, that ministers have excellent
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | November 18, 2019
Cultural competence is a lifelong journey. It is not built in a two-hour seminar, nor a checkbox of 'how to successfully interact with Inuit,' nor a couple pages on the art or dance of First Nations, writes Rose LeMay. First Nations, Inuit, and Métis cultures are diverse and deep and amazing, all 700 or so cultures. Th Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Potential ministers should have excellent cultural competence

Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | November 18, 2019
  • OTTAWA—One of the ways that the Government of Canada can reduce conflict with Indigenous peoples is by valuing, even demanding, that ministers have excellent

Potential ministers should have excellent cultural competence

Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | November 18, 2019
  • OTTAWA—One of the ways that the Government of Canada can reduce conflict with Indigenous peoples is by valuing, even demanding, that ministers have excellent
Cultural competence is a lifelong journey. It is not built in a two-hour seminar, nor a checkbox of 'how to successfully interact with Inuit,' nor a couple pages on the art or dance of First Nations, writes Rose LeMay. First Nations, Inuit, and Métis cultures are diverse and deep and amazing, all 700 or so cultures. Th Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

It’s a new day for Indigenous rights in Canada

  • OTTAWA—On Oct. 24, 2019, British Columbia tabled legislation to align provincial law with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | November 4, 2019
On Oct. 24, 2019, British Columbia tabled legislation to align provincial law with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). Photograph courtesy of Government of British Columbia/Flickr

It’s a new day for Indigenous rights in Canada

Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | November 4, 2019
  • OTTAWA—On Oct. 24, 2019, British Columbia tabled legislation to align provincial law with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).

It’s a new day for Indigenous rights in Canada

Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | November 4, 2019
  • OTTAWA—On Oct. 24, 2019, British Columbia tabled legislation to align provincial law with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).
On Oct. 24, 2019, British Columbia tabled legislation to align provincial law with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). Photograph courtesy of Government of British Columbia/Flickr

#Elxn43 report card result: needs improvement for Indigenous inclusion

  • OTTAWA—I never thought a 40-day campaign period could be so long. So many words and so little principle. We looked for opportunities to engage
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | October 21, 2019
Protesters, pictured on Jan. 8, 2018, took to the streets in Ottawa in solidarity with Indigenous peoples who had earlier been arrested at Wet’suwet’en camp in British Columbia. Instead of the urgent conversations needed to address the future of health and social services including for Indigenous peoples, this priority for many Canadians and Indigenous health-care leaders, we received the odd recycled, table-drop announcement. Indigenous health and well-being were politicized for partisan gain, writes Rose LeMay. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

#Elxn43 report card result: needs improvement for Indigenous inclusion

Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | October 21, 2019
  • OTTAWA—I never thought a 40-day campaign period could be so long. So many words and so little principle. We looked for opportunities to engage

#Elxn43 report card result: needs improvement for Indigenous inclusion

Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | October 21, 2019
  • OTTAWA—I never thought a 40-day campaign period could be so long. So many words and so little principle. We looked for opportunities to engage
Protesters, pictured on Jan. 8, 2018, took to the streets in Ottawa in solidarity with Indigenous peoples who had earlier been arrested at Wet’suwet’en camp in British Columbia. Instead of the urgent conversations needed to address the future of health and social services including for Indigenous peoples, this priority for many Canadians and Indigenous health-care leaders, we received the odd recycled, table-drop announcement. Indigenous health and well-being were politicized for partisan gain, writes Rose LeMay. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Let’s talk about a different model of governance

  • OTTAWA—Jody Wilson Raybould is running as an Independent candidate in Vancouver-Granville following the SNC-Lavalin affair this past winter and her separation from the Liberal
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | October 7, 2019
Jody Wilson Raybould, pictured Feb. 27, 2019, on the Hill. This might be a stretch, but I would hope a coalition government would encompass leaders like Ms. Wilson-Raybould, Jane Philpott, Celina Caesar-Chavannes, and others with unique and valuable perspectives, writes Rose LeMay. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Let’s talk about a different model of governance

Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | October 7, 2019
  • OTTAWA—Jody Wilson Raybould is running as an Independent candidate in Vancouver-Granville following the SNC-Lavalin affair this past winter and her separation from the Liberal

Let’s talk about a different model of governance

Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | October 7, 2019
  • OTTAWA—Jody Wilson Raybould is running as an Independent candidate in Vancouver-Granville following the SNC-Lavalin affair this past winter and her separation from the Liberal
Jody Wilson Raybould, pictured Feb. 27, 2019, on the Hill. This might be a stretch, but I would hope a coalition government would encompass leaders like Ms. Wilson-Raybould, Jane Philpott, Celina Caesar-Chavannes, and others with unique and valuable perspectives, writes Rose LeMay. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

When is an apology good enough?

  • OTTAWA—When is an apology good enough? As most Canadians, I watched the brownface incident and response on Sept. 18 and felt a range of
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | September 23, 2019

When is an apology good enough?

Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | September 23, 2019
  • OTTAWA—When is an apology good enough? As most Canadians, I watched the brownface incident and response on Sept. 18 and felt a range of

When is an apology good enough?

Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | September 23, 2019
  • OTTAWA—When is an apology good enough? As most Canadians, I watched the brownface incident and response on Sept. 18 and felt a range of

The myth and opportunity of the Indigenous vote

  • OTTAWA—It’s election time again, and time when political parties look to build voter support from voters across the country. Are Indigenous votes included in
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | September 9, 2019
Rose LeMay, who is Tlingit from the West Coast and CEO of the Indigenous Reconciliation Group, says, 'It’s time to challenge the notion that Indigenous issues are about Indigenous peoples. This is Canada’s enduring myth.' The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The myth and opportunity of the Indigenous vote

Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | September 9, 2019
  • OTTAWA—It’s election time again, and time when political parties look to build voter support from voters across the country. Are Indigenous votes included in

The myth and opportunity of the Indigenous vote

Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | September 9, 2019
  • OTTAWA—It’s election time again, and time when political parties look to build voter support from voters across the country. Are Indigenous votes included in
Rose LeMay, who is Tlingit from the West Coast and CEO of the Indigenous Reconciliation Group, says, 'It’s time to challenge the notion that Indigenous issues are about Indigenous peoples. This is Canada’s enduring myth.' The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

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