Procedure and House Affairs Committee on March 20th, 2018

[Romeo Saganash, NDP, Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou, QC]

As I close, I want to let you all know that I'm really happy to see that this is being worked on. It's something that indigenous people have been looking forward to, and it's something that we've always looked forward to—being able to speak my language to you. It's something that we've waited for for a long time. I really think that we all said that we would work together—calling it reconciliation—to have a good relationship.

There is a word in our language for that. We've had it, and we've always done that in the past: to always look at you and to be able to work with you. When I first started working with you, I really tried to work closely and openly with you. That's how I want to continue this working relationship. I want to have a good working relationship with each and every one of you, and for you to be able to acknowledge me while I speak my language every time I stand up when we meet. I always want to be able to know that I'm able to speak my indigenous language, and I want to thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Larry Bagnell]

Merci. Mahsi cho. Gunalchéesh. That's a very historic first speech in these historic hearings. We really look forward to this movement towards reconciliation as you described.

We'll go on to our first questioner, Mr. Simms.

[Scott Simms, Liberal, Coast of Bays—Central—Notre Dame, NL]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Saganash, thank you very much.

I'm going to start by asking you about the word that you used that you essentially created on your arrival to describe what it is that you do as a member of Parliament. Could you spell that for me, please?

[Romeo Saganash, NDP, Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou, QC]

If you can write by sound, I can.

[Scott Simms, Liberal, Coast of Bays—Central—Notre Dame, NL]

Okay, can you say it one more time?

[Romeo Saganash, NDP, Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou, QC]

It's yimstimagesu.

[Scott Simms, Liberal, Coast of Bays—Central—Notre Dame, NL]

Okay, I'm going to try that again later.

The reason I say this is that, if it's okay, I'd like to use that at some point on my letterhead because it sparks a conversation. Then I can tell your story. In what year were you first elected?

[Romeo Saganash, NDP, Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou, QC]

It was 2011.

[Scott Simms, Liberal, Coast of Bays—Central—Notre Dame, NL]

Exactly. Imagine, in 2011 we didn't have a word for that in your language, which is really a fundamental democratic principle that existed with us, even preceding 1867. I find it absolutely stunning. I'll confer with you again later on.

One of the things that all members of Parliament can do ad nauseam—it's what we all have in common—is to brag about our ridings. We can go days on end talking about how wonderful they is. I'm going to ask you about yours.

In your riding, Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou, what community do you live in?

[Romeo Saganash, NDP, Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou, QC]

I live in Waswanipi.

[Scott Simms, Liberal, Coast of Bays—Central—Notre Dame, NL]

In that community, can you give me a demographic breakdown of who speaks the language and who doesn't? How prolific is it in your area?

[Romeo Saganash, NDP, Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou, QC]

It's an important question that. When the Truth and Reconciliation Commission refers to aboriginal rights, which includes language rights, I think they are right on that. For a long time, we did not agree with the content of section 35, and the concept of aboriginal rights was so vague. Nowadays, there is certain agreement on certain things that are contained in section 35, including self-government.

We are fortunate in the Cree world to have signed the first modern treaty in this country in 1975, the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement, which recognizes a decree to develop curriculum in Cree. All of our kids, for the first four years of their schooling, are taught in Cree, which makes it possible for over 90% of the Cree to still speak their language today.

[Scott Simms, Liberal, Coast of Bays—Central—Notre Dame, NL]

In interactions with the outside world, if you're going outside of your community and you're representing them in a place like this, to what extent do they get information in the Cree language right now?

[Romeo Saganash, NDP, Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou, QC]

It's very common now.

[Scott Simms, Liberal, Coast of Bays—Central—Notre Dame, NL]

Okay.

[Romeo Saganash, NDP, Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou, QC]

Even all of the deliberations of the Cree Nation Government are in Cree. In a lot of our interactions with Quebec, Hydro-Québec or other institutions, they take the time to translate documents into Cree, which is important for our elders. My mom, who just turned 89 on International Women's Day, only speaks Cree. Most of the elders only speak Cree, which helps as well. That's how we managed to develop these words. That's why preservation and revitalization are important, but development of language is also important along with this.

[Scott Simms, Liberal, Coast of Bays—Central—Notre Dame, NL]

We all have this thing called a householder, and for anybody listening outside, that's that pamphlet you get once every four months from your member of Parliament.

When you send out yours, what languages do you send them out in ?

[Romeo Saganash, NDP, Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou, QC]

I've used all of the five major languages that are spoken in my riding: Inuktitut, Cree, Algonquin, French, and English.

[Scott Simms, Liberal, Coast of Bays—Central—Notre Dame, NL]

That's quite stunning, actually, stunningly good, mind you, because I want to ask you—

[Romeo Saganash, NDP, Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou, QC]

That's why I got re-elected.

[Scott Simms, Liberal, Coast of Bays—Central—Notre Dame, NL]

Pardon?

[Romeo Saganash, NDP, Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou, QC]

That's why I got re-elected in spite of you.

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[Scott Simms, Liberal, Coast of Bays—Central—Notre Dame, NL]

Well, congratulations.

He stumps me again.

Do you get any friction? How long is the process to do that? Do you have trouble with the translation part?

[Romeo Saganash, NDP, Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou, QC]

No.