Nova Scotia Premier Darrell Dexter in Brudenell, P.E. I. on June 6, 2012. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan
July 25, 2012 - 4:00 AM
LUNENBURG, N.S. - Prominent aboriginal leaders will meet with Canada's premiers today to address several issues challenging natives across the country.
The leaders are set to hold a brief meeting in Lunenburg, N.S., as part of the annual Council of the Federation gathering this week.
Nova Scotia Premier Darrell Dexter says education, economic development and natural resources will be on the agenda, but violence against aboriginal women and girls will top the list.
Aboriginal groups have long spoken out about the disproportionate number of their women who have gone missing or been murdered.
Ottawa has resisted calls for a national inquiry or task force, but critics say premiers may be more open to taking action.
Dexter says they will receive reports and recommendations on all of the agenda items and determine how to move forward.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2012