'A broken relationship': PM speaks about Indigenous issues while on P.E.I.

While in P.E.I. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau touched on Indigenous issues ahead of the Canada Day celebrations that will be going on this Saturday.

"We have to recognize that not everyone is going to be celebrating the same way,"Trudeausaid.

"The history of 150 years for Indigenous peoples has not been as positive, and recognizing that there's a lot more work to do, that we need to dotogether, in respect, is an important part of this recognition."

Trudeauwas in Cardigan, P.E.I., on Thursday meeting with Premier Wade MacLauchlan in the morning before moving onto Montague Curling Club for a meet and greet with the public.

He finished his time on the Island in Charlottetown for a tour of the Canada C3 expedition ship, and a media conference.

'Apath forward'

In Charlottetown the Prime Minister went a step further with regards to the history of Canada's Indigenous population.

"Canada has failed Indigenous peoples," he said. "We need to do a much better job of hearing their stories."

Trudeau said that "impatiencefrom many people after decades, centuries of a broken relationship," was understandable.

He added that the work of reconciliationwas about"redefining a relationship and that can't be done overnight."

"We're busy figuring out a path forward that cannot be defined by Ottawa no matter how well-meaning Ottawa might be," he said.

"The lessons we've learned of the past is there has to be true partnership in building the present and the future together."

Responds to protest, arrests

While in Charlottetown Trudeau was askedabout the Indigenous group setting up a teepee on Parliament Hill.

• 'A state of crisis': Indigenous group calls for change as Canada Day nears

"I understand and hear very clearly the issues that a number of people, including the individuals who are setting up a teepee on the Hill are expressing," he said.

"We just have to make sure that we deal with both what are going to be historic crowds on Canada Day on the Hill, but also deal with people in a respectful and responsible way."

When asked if the group should have been arrested he said he didn't hadn't seen the "full details" ofthe situationand that Canada 150 celebrations have to reflect different groups and views.

Ferry services

At both stops he also spoke about the federal government's support offerry services in Atlantic Canada,

"Our investments in budget 2017, moving forward on ferries,"Trudeausaid.

"Making sure that we move, and we understand how essential those links are to tourism but also to successful communities across Atlantic Canada."

The Prime Minister left the Island for New Brunswick Thursday afternoon.

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