National Indigenous Defence Conference

February 27, 2026

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As we gather on the unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg Nation, we honour the thousands of Indigenous people who have defended our vast country in countless ways.

Indigenous knowledge is essential to building security and resilience in communities around the world.

And now, more than ever, it is essential to understanding and protecting the Arctic.

I recently travelled to Greenland for the opening of Canada's new consulate in Nuuk.

There, we reaffirmed Canada's commitment to co-operation, peace and security. We reaffirmed our respect for the people of Greenland and their right to determine their own future.

Standing in Nuuk, I felt the deep pride of Indigenous peoples in Greenland-a pride rooted in their intimate knowledge of the land and waters.

Having grown up in the Arctic myself, I understand that pride. I carry it too.

Across the circumpolar world, Indigenous communities know the land and waters in ways few others can.

They sense weather shifts before the sky darkens. They read sea ice through subtle cues invisible to most.

Their survival skills form a tapestry of knowledge woven over thousands of years.

Indigenous languages carry many layers of knowledge, too.

A single place name can reveal how rivers were used there, how seasons shifted, or how animals migrated.

Indigenous knowledge is both ancient and modern. It reveals long-term patterns that short-term operational data cannot capture.

And although past perspectives often misclassified Indigenous knowledge as myth or legend, it is practical. Sophisticated. And irreplaceable.

That's why integrating Indigenous expertise into defence operations is so important.

It sharpens our understanding of local terrain, local conditions and the environment. It leads to faster response times in remote regions.

It also provides invaluable insight into the cultures and social dynamics of the communities hosting deployments. This is key to building trust and cohesion with the Canadian Armed Forces.

For decades, Inuit serving with the Canadian Rangers have shared vital knowledge during military exercises, surveillance patrols and perilous search-and-rescue missions. They also provide expertise and advice on how best to survive in a very cold climate, now being impacted by climate change.

Time and again, when communities have faced disasters, their expertise has been nothing short of life-saving.

One recent example happened in the remote Inuit community of Puvirnituq, Quebec.

Last spring, when a damaged pipe cut off access to safe drinking water, Indigenous knowledge guided the coordination of the response. It ensured water arrived quickly and community service centres opened without delay.

That partnership made all the difference.

We have shown the power of co-operation-and the power of reconciliation-in the Arctic.

I am encouraged to see Indigenous knowledge increasingly recognized as a defence asset-essential to Arctic security.

But there is still meaningful work ahead to further integrate it into our defence systems.

Like any systemic change, this is not easy. But at this moment, we cannot afford to overlook the strategic advantages it offers to all of us.

Indigenous voices and leadership must remain at the centre of every security discussion.

Today, amid rising tensions, the Arctic's strength and stability depend on the partnerships we build-real partnerships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.

A strong Arctic is one where Indigenous knowledge and leadership help guide our choices. And one that creates meaningful jobs and economic opportunities for Indigenous peoples.

This is the essence of reconciliation. And as the Canadian Armed Forces expands its presence in the region, it will be one of our greatest strategic assets.

National security and unity begin with trust. Trust between cultures. Trust between partners.

I want to thank OneHoop, Indigenous leaders, the Department of National Defence, and all of you here for your continued work in building that trust-and for being here today.

Conversations like this are how strong partnerships begin, and how they continue to grow.

Thank you. Merci. Nakurmiik.