Status of Women committee  I agree with Chief Louie. I know that all of our nations see this as something that is a priority that needs to be addressed, and we have, in various ways across our nations, been addressing that issue, whether that be through self-government agreements or in the framework agreement.

Status of Women committee  We want to avoid the imposition of somebody else's laws on our own first nations that are in the process and that want to do that themselves.

Status of Women committee  As I understand it, there's been some discussion around a centre of excellence that was proposed to support first nations in developing capacity. But I think my colleague here quite clearly articulated the challenges, not only in terms of their resources but in terms of the community engagement that is required to look to in passing a law.

Status of Women committee  Absolutely. This piece of legislation, in its fourth iteration, is one of a number of pieces of legislation that are being put forward, as I mentioned, by this government. They seek to tinker around the edges of the Indian Act and deal in a stovepipe or compartmentalized way with specific jurisdictions without the fundamental need to have that broader discussion among our communities about comprehensive reform—

Status of Women committee  You're looking for a quick answer, but the reality, too, is that the intent behind the legislation is something else. There is certainly no direct correlation between passing this legislation and saving lives. The bill deals with the division of property upon the dissolution of the marriage, marriage breakdown, or death.

Status of Women committee  Thank you for the question, and the previous question. I certainly recognize the intent here is to fill a gap. As we all know, the legislation is part of the solution moving forward, but it's not the entire solution. I think having my colleagues here—and I'm also a director on the Lands Advisory Board—to reflect an option that first nations have undertaken, in terms of broader land management powers....

Status of Women committee  I think we all agree on equality. I will submit that certainly the provisional rules within this legislation don't address the issue in the comprehensive way in which it needs to be addressed.

Status of Women committee  Yes.

Status of Women committee  Well, again, I would reiterate my earlier comments about the reality that this isn't simply a woman's issue. In my testimony, I did recognize that the intent is to fill that gap of which you speak. The reality is that it's one instance that you're speaking about, and the situations and the conditions on our reserves are very different.

Status of Women committee  Certainly. The third concern that was raised, a fundamental concern, looks to addressing the issues that lead to the situations in the first place, the underlying issues, which I can speak more about in questions. In closing, I wanted to make note of the work that has been done by the Canadian Bar Association.

Status of Women committee  Gilakasla. Good morning, members. Thank you for having me here. My name is Jody Wilson-Raybould. I am the regional chief for British Columbia. I am appearing here today along with Karen Campbell from the Assembly of First Nations and as the portfolio holder for first nation governance.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  To be honest with you, I can't speak to the intentions with respect to the drafters in this regard. Regulation or laws around intoxicants are contained within every self-government agreement and, in fact, go beyond the prohibition thereof to regulation and looking to expand that jurisdiction around the issuance of allowances and licenses.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I couldn't agree more with that proposition. The challenge that I have, and I know certainly that first nations have, with respect to this tinkering or piecemeal approach to amendments to the Indian Act is the cavalier nature this bill takes in terms of defining my future for me when there has been so much hard work done by our nations in the area of intoxicants, in the area of substantial governance reform and building institutions that could benefit anyone who is, and in particular first nations, interested in moving beyond the Indian Act.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  We have several of them. One is sitting to my left right now.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I hear what you're saying. As the portfolio lead for governance, and being accompanied here by some policy staff from the Assembly of First Nations, I can say that simply is not the case.