The federal minister of Indigenous Services says she thinks the Yukon is doing a great job of improving its relationship and services with the territory’s Indigenous people.

Patty Hajdu stopped by the Star’s newsroom on Monday afternoon to have a wide-ranging conversation with the editorial staff.

The topics of discussion went far beyond the borders of the Yukon, but Hajdu had plenty to say about what was happening here at home.

Last Friday, Hajdu held a news conference to discuss how various housing opportunities for First Nations governments funded by the federal government were progressing.

She told the Star she held several meetings with territorial First Nations in between catching some Yukon Rendezvous events over the past weekend and visiting Mt. Sima.

Last Thursday, she met with the Council of First Nations, which she called a “fantastic meeting.

“I wanted to talk to them about a wellness centre, which is in the works right now,” she noted.

Hajdu said she was looking for more details on the size, and the programming and staffing models.

“We’re committed to be there during the design phase,” she explained.

The federal government is hoping to be a partner in the project, Hajdu added.

She pointed out Ottawa is providing more than $20 million to a new shelter for Indigenous women in Whistle Bend.

Hajdu, an MP for a Thunder Bay, Ont. riding, said she believes the Yukon is doing well in its attempts to establish new partnerships between the two levels of government.

“I think they’ve come a long way, and I think this government is doing incredible work trying to understand how to be a better partner,” said the 57-year-old Montreal native.

“I think they (the Yukon government) fundamentally understands that when people have a fair chance to succeed, that it makes stronger communities and stronger economies.

“I think if that happens, we’re going to do better as a country, and I think the Yukon government inherently understands that and is on a path (to do that).”

The Yukon government, of course, is a Liberal regime, as is the federal government.

“With First Nations, it’s about self-determination,” Hajdu said.

“I would say there’s a huge interest in a stronger role in health delivery. What does that mean?

“Many of the ... First Nations are saying to themselves, ‘what would it look like if we had more control over health delivery,’ and how would we do that?”

Traditionally, Hajdu noted, Indigenous Yukoners have frequently said they didn’t believe they had good access to health care, and that’s starting to change slowly.

Housing and employment are also two big items on the checklist to be dealt with as she heads into the final year of managing her portfolio before the expected 2025 election, Hajdu said.

She also expressed full confidence in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s ability to lead the Liberal party to another victory next year.

The minister ended her Yukon trip on Monday afternoon.