Status of Women committee  I don't think that there is a first nation that doesn't want to. I think it becomes one of timeliness and the time it takes to do it properly. I think everyone wants to. We all take matrimonial legislation very seriously. It's a very serious issue. It's a very serious matter, but

Status of Women committee  No.

Status of Women committee  Well, we're finding that the first nations that developed matrimonial and real property laws have been very successful at the implementation. We've had very good results. My colleague here, Chief Austin Bear, could certainly elaborate on that, if the committee wishes, because I

Status of Women committee  Yes. I can say that, from experience in dealing with matrimonial and real property laws and understanding and hearing from first nations across the country that have, in fact, implemented matrimonial and real property laws, it's been a good thing. Whether it's saved lives, I do

Status of Women committee  Yes, you're correct on the first two. The 30 that we have are in the developmental phase and are having those discussions right now. We're assisting in that planning to be incorporated into their land codes, either now or within a one-year period.

Status of Women committee  Yes, and I think we have some very good experience here at the table. Again, each of the first nations is unique. There are no identical land codes, nor are there identical matrimonial real property laws, and each of the communities has a different situation. Some are band land

Status of Women committee  I think the most significant thing is probably the timeframe. In our rules, when we adopted this and agreed to it, we felt initially that one year would be sufficient to develop these matrimonial laws. Through experience, we found that for many communities it simply wasn't possib

Status of Women committee  Yes.

Status of Women committee  Thank you, Madam Chair. Honourable members of the committee, thank you for providing me, as chairman of the First Nations Lands Advisory Board, this opportunity to respond to Bill S-2. The Lands Advisory Board is very supportive of aboriginal communities addressing the topic o

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I think we've indicated quite clearly what we think works: the land management process. If the land management process were opened up to all first nations—at least the opportunity—that relationship would certainly be beneficial to everyone concerned. That's one of governance. Tha

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I think so. Yes.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Yes.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  That's correct.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  That's correct.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  That's correct.