The head of the Assembly of First Nations says constitutional changes are needed –  to make sure that indigenous leaders are in the room – when the prime minister sits down to do serious business with the provinces and territories.

Indigenous leaders are frustrated at being excluded from today’s session on climate change.

The Constitution does not recognize First Nations, Metis and Inuit leaders as representatives from an order of government – and National Chief Perry Bellegarde says that until the Constitution is “fixed,” aboriginal people will always be excluded.

The first ministers are continuing their talks, with Prime Minister Trudeau saying a pan-Canadian framework represents a truly historic plan – that recognizes the challenges presented by climate change – and the opportunities of a “clean” growth economy.