Evidence of meeting #130 for Canadian Heritage in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was important.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Julie Dabrusin
You can read it. I just wanted to say that we then have to move to the next speaker.
Congress of Aboriginal Peoples
National Chief Robert Bertrand
Okay, no problem.
“Whereas the Department of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism is working on the implementation of a new statutory holiday to mark the legacy of residential schools, and whereas Canada observes National Indigenous Day on June 21 and Orange Shirt Day on September 30, therefore be it resolved that the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples endorse a national indigenous statutory holiday moved by David Turner, Aboriginal Congress of Alberta Association, seconded by Liam Thompson, Aboriginal Congress of Alberta Association.”
That resolution was passed.
People want to leave the past behind them and think more about the future.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Julie Dabrusin
Okay, thank you very much.
We now move to Mr. Breton, for five minutes.
Liberal
Pierre Breton Liberal Shefford, QC
Thank you, Madam Chair.
My thanks to the witnesses for joining us today.
Chief Bertrand, you were reading the declaration, the resolution, were you not?
Liberal
Pierre Breton Liberal Shefford, QC
You read it quickly, so some things escaped me. You mentioned two dates. Does the proposal call for two dates?
Liberal
Pierre Breton Liberal Shefford, QC
Okay. It would be in June or September. That is the proposal you asked people's opinion on, correct?
November 8th, 2018 / 12:55 p.m.
Congress of Aboriginal Peoples
National Chief Robert Bertrand
No. The first resolution that was proposed called for a day to be designated for truth and reconciliation. That scared some people. That is why another name was suggested, the national indigenous statutory holiday. People were in favour of that term, but not of the first name suggested.
Liberal
Pierre Breton Liberal Shefford, QC
Okay, I understand. This was a large group of about 125 people.
I just wondered about one thing. I am sorry, but I missed the first hour of the meeting, because I was in another one. Our colleague has presented us with a really interesting bill. I would like to know what consultation work was done over the last year. If I recall correctly, this bill was introduced in October 2017. How were communities, groups or the various organizations consulted? Were you consulted personally? Do you know whether all the indigenous organizations in the country are in agreement?
Let me start with you, Chief Adamek. After that, Chief Bertrand and Mr. Mehta can answer.
Yukon Region, Assembly of First Nations
Thank you for the question.
Certainly, from the Assembly of First Nations' perspective, there have been a number of resolutions that have been carried calling for a day to celebrate, a day of recognition, and then also the day for commemoration, as we're describing.
We'd be happy to table those with the committee and also share what was most recently passed at our national executive. We the 10 regional chiefs and the national chief carried a resolution that would look to the 30th as being the date of commemoration that we would advocate for.
From our perspective, communities have been having these conversations. Residential school survivors have been having these conversations. That's where the direction and the reflections that we've heard have said that commemoration and celebration are two different things. I want to make sure that I'm being as clear as I can. Yes, June 21 has been and should continue to be a day of celebration. This has been discussed across the country. I know our chiefs in Yukon are supportive of that.
There should also be a day of commemoration to really learn and understand those dark chapters, the legacy of residential schools. An earlier question by the vice-chair was about the poppy and how people recognize the poppy as being a day. People now recognize Orange Shirt Day as being a day. That's where this is very important that there is a differentiation between the two.
I'm fully supportive of both of those dates, but would highly recommend that we look at both of these dates as being days. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission, as the national chief of CAP described, had recommended a day and recommended that we could look to September 30. There's a day that we celebrate, that we potlatch, that we feast, that we celebrate who we are in Canada, and a day that we acknowledge and honour those residential school survivors and those very dark chapters of our history.
Congress of Aboriginal Peoples
National Chief Robert Bertrand
Yes. This is a very important issue for the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples.
Unfortunately, CAP was not consulted on this day.
We have noticed in the past that the federal government and INAC deals mostly.... As you know, there are five NIOs in Canada, and the federal government has decided, for I don't know what reason, to deal with only three NIOs in most cases. I don't want to speak for NWAC, but we get left out a lot. I think for a discussion as important as this one, CAP should have been invited. We represent those living off reserve. And right now, I'm not giving you information that you do not already have. There are over 70% of indigenous people living off reserve. We are the oldest, and we're being left out. I have to tell you that sometimes I'm pretty upset about it.
Anyway, I'm very glad to be here, to be able to express my feelings. But to answer your question, no, CAP was not consulted.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Julie Dabrusin
Unfortunately, we are out of time. I've let it go over time as it is. I do apologize.
If you'd be able to put anything further in writing, or if you have something to say in 10 seconds....
Okay.
Yukon Region, Assembly of First Nations
Again, on behalf of the Assembly of First Nations, we continue to be actively engaged on this file; and we really want to be clear that, respectfully to all the NIOs, the work of the Assembly of First Nations continues to support all of our people.
We have non-status people in the Yukon who are members of our agreements. We have people who live off reserve. We will continue to support all of our people as best we can.
Thank you so much for the opportunity to join you.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Julie Dabrusin
Thank you.
I just want to also clarify that this is a private member's bill, as there was a question about it.
I want to thank everyone for coming.
Thank you all for your testimony.
Both of the witnesses here referred to resolutions that had been passed. If you would be able to provide us with copies of those resolutions, send them into the clerk, that would be helpful. You don't have to do it today
The meeting is adjourned.
