First Light Congratulates Premier-Designate Tony Wakeham; Thanks Outgoing Premier John Hogan

St. John’s, NL – First Light congratulates Premier-designate Tony Wakeham and the Progressive Conservative Party on their victory in the October 14 provincial election.

“We wish Premier-designate Wakeham and his team every success,” said Stacey Howse, President and CEO of First Light. “We look forward to working with the new Premier – and with all parties and Members of the House of Assembly – to advance truth and reconciliation for urban Indigenous people in St. John’s and across Newfoundland and Labrador.”

Last year, First Light released Reconciliation Report 2024 tracking progress and next steps to advance the 42 Calls for Change that were developed through extensive engagement with the St. John’s urban Indigenous community. The Calls outline clear reconciliation goals for governments, institutions, and community partners. During the election campaign, the Progressive Conservative Party under Mr. Wakeham’s leadership voiced its support for working with First Light to advance these goals.

“We are committed to building strong relationships across government to promote meaningful systemic change for our community,” said Howse. “Our Calls for Change provide clear direction on how to restore good relations between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.”

First Light also thanks the outgoing Liberal government under John Hogan for their public service. During his mandates as Minister of Justice and Public Safety, Minister of Health and Community Services, and then as Premier, Mr. Hogan helped to expand health navigation services for urban Indigenous people and introduced reforms to police oversight that partly aligned with the recommendations of the First Light-led Working Group on Police Oversight.

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