Premier Robert Ghiz and his cabinet ministers were in Scotchfort Tuesday morning meeting with the Island's two First Nations bands and the Mi'kmaq Confederacy.

The meeting was held on the Abegweit First Nation, where Cabinet and the Confederacy discussed economic development, potential projects, healthcare and education.

The main project being considered by the Confederacy is the reconstruction of Queen's Wharf, located on the Charlottetown waterfront.

In order to build the new convention centre, both Ottawa and the province needed the bands's approval. The bands agreed, on the condition they be given the option to buy Queen's Wharf.

Chief Brian Francis said the band has the option to purchase the 1.7-hectare parcel of land, located next to the new convention centre, for $1 million.

Francis said it is too early to say what they would use the property for if they go ahead with the purchase.

"We are not at that stage yet, we are just in preliminary, kind of brain-storming discussions," Francis said.

The band has until March to decide if they want to buy the land. Francis says they are looking to the province to finance the purchase.

"We're working with them on that, there's nothing concrete there, we've got lots of time to work that out," Ghiz said.

The premier said the bands and the province are all seeing less federal money.

"They're looking for revenue streams to help them have the opportunity to deliver social programs to their members. They're going through the same things we are, provincially, where we're seeing less and less dollars from the federal government, " Ghiz said.

Although both Francis and Ghiz agreed it was a good meeting, there have been no commitments made to fund the Queen's Wharf or any other projects.

Council chief wants meeting with Cabinet

Meanwhile, the president and chief of the Native Council of P.E.I. says her group would like its own chance to meet with Cabinet.

The council represents aboriginal people on P.E.I. who don't live on a reserve.

Chief Jamie Thomas says she's pleased the Island's two band leaders had the chance to meet with senior politicians today, but said she wants a chance to speak with Cabinet as well.

"I guess I also think that's something that needs to take place with organizations similar to the Native Council of P.E.I.," Thomas said, "Because we, as an organization, have a community of people that we represent. We want to ensure that any level of discussion that takes place regarding aboriginal people is inclusive of the off-reserve aboriginal people."

Thomas says her group would like to talk about healthcare, education and economic development opportunities for aboriginal people on P.E.I.

The group also wants to work out a long-term lease for the land at Panmure Island where the Native Council holds its annual pow-wow.