David Wilks at the Indigenous and Northern Affairs Committee

On May 29th, 2012. See this statement in context.

May 29th, 2012 / 5:10 p.m.

Conservative

David Wilks Conservative Kootenay—Columbia, BC

Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Thanks, Michael, for coming today.

A vast majority of first nations communities in Canada operate under the Indian Act. As I understand it, in the case of the MKO most of the communities are that way as well.

I have two questions for you, and then I'll let you answer them. Managing reserve land under the Indian Act is, shall we say, weak. What are some of the challenges faced by land managers under the provisions of the Indian Act?

My second question is, in your experience, what factors influence a first nations community's decision to remain under land management under the Indian Act, as opposed to joining the first nations land management regime, for example?

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