WINNIPEG — Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan met with about a dozen indigenous leaders in Winnipeg today as part of the federal government's defence policy review.
Sajjan says getting indigenous perspectives is important as the government looks at changes to the role of the military in a changing world.
He is seeking input on programs such as the Canadian Rangers — a largely indigenous group of army reserves that helps patrol the north.
Sajjan says he also wants to know how job and training opportunities can be improved for indigenous people.
Ron Swain, with the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples, says he would like to see a new policy that would allow First Nations communities to call in the military, in the same way that provinces and municipalities can.
Canada's new defence policy is expected early in 2017.
