Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  When we talk about land back and the acknowledgment, I think that, as Canadians, we also have to look at the dispossession of the land throughout this great country, understand that truth and how we have to walk and understand the truth together. We are all here because of our passion for our country.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  For protocol, Saqamaw has to answer that first.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  It is now. With the ATR process...that we've acquired, now it is part of the additions to reserve as part of Membertou First Nation.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  It's through own-source revenue. We are becoming one of the top indigenous communities in Canada. When we acquire and look for places.... We weren't always like that. We were always in a deficit, and we always heard the word “can't”: “We can't do this as an indigenous people, and we can't do that.”

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Yes. Netukulimk is the meaning of the balance of life, to understand taking what we need and therefore always making sure that we protect it for the generations to come. As Mi'kmaq people, we signed one of the strongest treaties in the country of Canada, of no surrender of land, but also of peace and friendship.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Absolutely, and thank you for that question. The ATR process throughout the country of Canada has always been long. The ATR process took approximately 12 years for that parcel of land to be acquired. ATRs require 12 years and this is going on. Just in observing the standing committee today and the colleagues around the table throughout the point of order, this is a prime example of how systems and policies cannot follow through.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  There are just different institutions and different policies that create these ATR policies when we look at 12 years. In order to own that parcel of land that we were dispossessed of, because the ATR process took so long, we took matters into our own hands and acquired and bought that land back for our own community.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  As Canadians, I want to thank each and every one of you for giving me this opportunity to...how we have changed the narrative. When we look at truth and reconciliation, we have to understand the truth first. Msit no'kmaq, wela'lioq. Thank you all so much.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Thank you. I was waiting for your red card and yellow card.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Wela'lioq. Ni'n teluisi Graham Marshall, naspi Membertou chief and council. I want to thank each and every one of you for inviting me here today. My name is Graham Marshall. I'm part of Membertou chief and council. Membertou Mi'kmaq nation is one of the top indigenous communities in the country of Canada because of what we have done.