Mr. Rafferty.
Evidence of meeting #3 for Indigenous and Northern Affairs in the 41st Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was point.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Evidence of meeting #3 for Indigenous and Northern Affairs in the 41st Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was point.
A recording is available from Parliament.
NDP
John Rafferty NDP Thunder Bay—Rainy River, ON
I brought my point up because, of course, when you use the term “aboriginal” that also includes Inuit. It's important, particularly in the last couple of years--and I think Mr. Rickford would agree with me--that there's certainly been a lot of work by Métis across Canada to distinguish themselves as a separate aboriginal group. By saying “first nations and Métis”, I think we'll be doing Métis groups across Canada an honour, a service, in actually singling them out. I recognize that the department has been changed to Aboriginal Affairs, and I understand that.
We have to be cognizant of the fact that there are some groups who do not like the term “aboriginal”, so I think whenever we can distinguish the groups, in a resolution for example, we should make every effort to say, in this particular case, “first nations and “Métis”. Métis groups across Canada would appreciate that.
NDP
John Rafferty NDP Thunder Bay—Rainy River, ON
If I could, the other thing is that when Canadians think of the word “aboriginal” and aboriginal groups, 99% of them do not include Métis in there. It's important to make that distinction.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Chris Warkentin
Ms. Duncan is next.
It was just brought forward that there is a possibility that Métis people were not involved in the War of 1812, so as a committee we may want to investigate that. The suggestion is that if that is to be adopted, there may be some desire by committee members just to solidify that in fact.
Ms. Duncan.
NDP
Linda Duncan NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
Thank you.
I endorse Mr. Rafferty's recommendation 100%. I have heard from delegation after delegation of first nations of their absolute opposition to the change in the name of the department. For many, it is according to the arguments Mr. Rafferty has put forward. If they were sitting at this table, they would be making this argument even more adamantly than we might. It's perfectly appropriate that the department look into whether or not Métis were involved. If they weren't involved, it should simply say “first nations”. It should not say “aboriginal”, and I would echo that. Some prefer “indigenous”, whatever. But they absolutely are opposed to this adoption of the term “aboriginal” because they feel it's blurring the lines on those who are under treaty and those who aren't, blurring the lines between who is first nation and who is Métis and who is Inuit.
For this to have unanimous consent and to be applauded by the first nations out there, I would strongly endorse what Mr. Rafferty has recommended. I think they will look upon it with much greater favour if it says “first nations”—and it should also say “Métis” if the Métis were engaged. If they weren't engaged, then so be it.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Chris Warkentin
Committee members I don't have any additional speakers. There is a motion. There has not been a formal amendment proposed, so I do leave it....
Mr. Clarke.
Conservative
Rob Clarke Conservative Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River, SK
If we can, we can defer this. I have information from the department that the Métis were involved. If we can go back, get some clarification from the department, and then bring this forward again, is it possible to defer it?
NDP
Liberal
Carolyn Bennett Liberal St. Paul's, ON
While you're there, it would be great if at some point the committee were apprised of what's being planned. Dates and an invitation would be nice, too.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Chris Warkentin
Okay. That will be tabled until some future date. We'll leave it to Mr. Clarke to bring it to our committee's attention, then move the motion.
On a point of order, Ms. Duncan.
NDP
Linda Duncan NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
The point of order is along the lines of what Dr. Bennett raised. There was an event this summer at the Métis gathering for Batoche. I found it an incredible insult that the Métis representative from the New Democratic Party Aboriginal Commission was not invited, and neither was I, as the official opposition critic, to an event that occurred.
I'm raising this as a pint of order because if we are going to agree to these kinds of events, I think--
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Chris Warkentin
Ms. Duncan, I'm going to jump in here. It's not a point of order. If it's a point of future business, we can talk about it in that framework, but--
NDP
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Chris Warkentin
It's not a point of order because it does not pertain to this committee or the proceedings of this committee.
NDP
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Chris Warkentin
Let's back up. I do apologize.
Ms. Duncan, the motion has been withdrawn until it's brought forward again. If you want to speak in terms of future business, we do have time for that.
NDP
Linda Duncan NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
Okay, let's be fair. You heard Dr. Bennett on additional things that she would like done, and they are being considered. I am suggesting additional things to come back to the committee.
NDP
Linda Duncan NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
An additional thing that I would like to have come back to the committee is who will be invited to a commemorative event.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Chris Warkentin
Very good.
Are there any other points of order, or suggestions for future consideration? If not, we will move to subcommittee.
Ms. Bennett.
Liberal
Carolyn Bennett Liberal St. Paul's, ON
You had asked about the motion, and I would just like to say that I will delay, and we'll l see what happens during the work plan of the committee. I prefer that we develop work plans by consensus, not by motion. So I won't table mine until I see how things go in the steering committee.