Thank you.
Good morning, everyone. My name is Albert Marshall Jr. I am from the Eskasoni First Nation in Nova Scotia, Mi'kmaq territory. I’m also a board member for the National Aboriginal Lands Managers Association, and I am the chair for the Atlantic Region Aboriginal Lands Association, ARALA, in the Atlantic.
I'd like to say a few words in Mi'kmaq too.
[Witness spoke in Mi'kmaq as follows:]
Ketu’ muyu’walkik tete’le’l majuinu’k piluwi kni’skamijinaq maqmiko’muwow alka’kuwenaq Ketu’ pipanimkik kisu’l tel’ piskwa’n aq jijaqmijl piskwan kulaman pilui kniskamijinuwaq kisi iknmuksitisnu’k situwo’kn aq kisi klusultitaq wjit msit kikmaninaq.
[Mi'kmaq text translated as follows:]
I would like to honour and acknowledge the ancestral land of the Algonquin people. We asked the Creator to come and bring the soul so that our ancestors can give us respect and they can speak for all of our people.
[English]
I would like to honour and acknowledge the ancestral lands of the Algonquin peoples. We ask the Creator and the spirit of our ancestors to grant us wisdom and speak for the benefit of our peoples.
Managing reserve land can be very complicated and demanding. Working under the legal framework of the Indian Act or sectoral self-government land codes requires specialized knowledge and skills. Typically, a land manager is responsible for managing the lands, environment and natural resources. This can be very challenging and overwhelming for staff who do not have sufficient support and training.
In the 2017-18 fiscal year, NALMA, in partnership with Indigenous Services Canada, conducted 15 national engagement sessions involving 300 first nation representatives with respect to the reserve land and environment management program, RLEMP, and the Family Homes on Reserves and Matrimonial Interests or Rights Act, FHRMIRA.
A common theme that surfaced in all the engagement sessions was the need for stable, multi-year funding to support core staff at appropriate salary levels equivalent with the public service of Canada. The need for professional development and capacity was another key area of consideration. Final reports of the engagement sessions can be found on the ISC website.
We find ourselves at an unprecedented time in Canadian history, where indigenous nations are being affirmed as governments in their own right and the nation-to-nation relationship between the Crown and indigenous nations is being actively cultivated. As part of this relationship-building process, it is imperative for the Canadian government to recognize and support the needs and to contribute to first nation success in reaching greater autonomy.
Thank you again for the invitation to speak.
Wela'lioq.