Environment committee  Let's think back to the fur trade in Champlain's day, because I think there's a real economic underpinning to this conversation. The rights application is the Innu telling Champlain, “You can trap downriver; upriver is exclusively ours. Do we have an understanding?” There was bot

Environment committee  Common law has developed to the extent that we even use the word “consultation”, because the courts have instructed governments that first nations must be consulted and accommodated when it comes to our aboriginal title and rights. Over 40 court cases have affirmed what the Const

Environment committee  Sure. That's why I wanted to leave that to you. Hishuk ish tsawalk. Very well done. And I'm appreciative of the effort to reach in and pull out a phrase that means so much to my people. We can find it in other indigenous languages, the sense of interconnectedness and the notio

Environment committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you for the opportunity to go first. That used to happen to me in school all the time--A for Atleo, and somehow you end up going first. I hope I didn't disrupt your proceedings, but I do appreciate the opportunity and indeed the privilege of prese

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Thank you. I think wherever first nations are agreeing to and driving those initiatives and those agreements, they are most welcome. There are outstanding issues of the relationships. Jordan's Principle was mentioned earlier, recalling a child who in fact died because of the la

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  First I have a couple of comments. I'll respond to those comments in the context of the role of the Assembly of First Nations, which is to serve and support first nations. It was mentioned earlier that this committee has had representations from a number of groups. I think I he

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Jody?

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Similar to the way in which we reformed the Specific Claims Act process--while not perfect, it was I think a step forward, in that it was joint--we would like to see a Specific Claims Act tribunal legislative effort, perhaps with some additions or reforms to make it more effectiv

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair. Accountability is really critical and I know that we as first nations reflect on our history of accountability. Previous to the new structure--such as the Indian Act--coming in, we can point to much more direct accountability mechanisms that were directly b

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Once first nations are on a stable footing with infrastructure so they can ensure that they're not lurching from crisis to crisis.... If we can achieve long-term sustainable funding for their communities, first nations suddenly would have, either on their own or collectively, the

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I'll work backwards from your last question because, through expanding procurement both directly with government and through major contracts, I think this committee and government can facilitate the direct involvement of first nations. I wanted to begin with a practical aspect of

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Thank you very much. On the AG's mention of legislation, I think what we're finding in our reaching out to Canadians.... We are finding a tremendous positive response, and not only from the corporate or business sector. New partnerships are emerging. There is wonderful support f

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  In some respects, it's about ensuring that the rights of first nations and their needs are the rights of people to, in this case, to clean drinking water, to not be vulnerable, and to not be so hindered from developing economies that we have this pattern of just lurching from cri

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Thank you, Dr. Bennett. First, Mr. Chair and committee, my comment is that we have this annual challenge of coming and making pre-budget submissions...because it has been a one-way exercise. It has not been a joint exercise or a comprehensive, forward-looking exercise. It is par

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Thank you for that. What's really appreciated is that there is a shared notion that education is a top priority. If we are to close the education and the labour market gap in one generation, this could result in a contribution to Canada's economy of about $400 billion and in re