Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  The solution is very simple: you go over the heads of chiefs and consult the people in the communities. I said that many chiefs in this country exert control over their people. I do not have proof of this. There are things I will keep silent today, but that will come out eventual

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I'm not sure it's a question of authority. I think it's a question of common sense. I'm a status Indian. I'm from a reserve. Of course, I live off reserve. This is just a means of providing solutions, because in my young life and young career, I haven't heard many solutions in t

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  That's a good question and the answer is very simple. If I take the example of the Algonquin people, of whom I'm a part, across Ontario and Quebec there are nine Algonquin reserve communities. Eliminating the Indian Act would offer the opportunity for those nine communities to am

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Basically, we are made up of provincial organizations from coast to coast. They have annual assemblies where people can get together and discuss and pass resolutions, similar to other political parties. It's basically a method of consultation. I attend those provincial assemblie

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Number one is to start talking about the elimination of the Indian Act. First nations people living on reserve have been under that system for 130 years now and it hasn't been working. I've been quite vocal in the last couple of weeks that there are too many chiefs and not enough

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Yes.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I don't believe so.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Bob Groves.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair. I am pleased to speak this morning about the concept of nation. I thank you for having invited us to discuss with you Bill C-292. To begin with, I want you and your colleagues to know that I'm a vigorous proponent of meaningful debate in respect of bringing

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  As I am certain many honourable members may have questions to ask and comments to make, I will keep my remarks brief. The Kelowna accord was introduced in the last moments of the last days of the last government. It is important to look at it for what it is and for what it is no

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Thank you for your question. First, according to statistics, it's true that more and more aboriginal people complete high school and post-secondary studies. However, there is a reality that statistics don't show: more aboriginal people move to urban centres to study, and as a co

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Given the jurisdictions...

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  You're welcome. Thank you.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  With respect to the funding situation this year, we are pleased because it's at least a first step into recognizing the constituency for whom we advocate. As to whether we've had any discussions about increasing the federal off-reserve funding, we have, absolutely. In fact, dur

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I don't have the figures in front of me, but a nominal amount was earmarked for education. In terms of the language or of interpretation with respect to the language, we didn't see any benefits, or very few benefits, for the off-reserve population. Having said that, maybe I digr