Evidence of meeting #36 for Indigenous and Northern Affairs in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was language.
A video is available from Parliament.
5:50 p.m.
Bloc
Marilène Gill Bloc Manicouagan, QC
Mr. Chair, I'd like to ask Ms. Eegeesiak a very quick question.
You talk about the term “co”, which you use in many ways. Are you referring to the bill or the calls to action?
I'd like to know where it is in the bill so I can better understand what you're saying.
5:55 p.m.
As an Individual
I'm referring to the preamble, where it says, “Whereas the Government of Canada recognizes”—
5:55 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Marc Garneau
Thank you, Ms. Eegeesiak.
Chief Sellars, would you like to weigh in on the question?
5:55 p.m.
Williams Lake First Nation
Yes. The concept of the bill and overseeing this reconciliation discussion is a great one, in theory, for sure. It is definitely needed.
I'm just honestly trying to wrap my head around what we've heard from the other speakers and what I brought up as well, which is that all of the communities are just so different in where they're at.
In our community of Williams Lake, for example, we did $20 million in development over the past two years in this region. If you compare that to one of our neighbouring communities in the same region, we're way further advanced. It's mainly based on location. We've really struggled in holding up our culture and how much we've been able to retain, because more was lost than, let's say, in a rural community three or four hours from the city of Williams Lake.
Our priorities are just a little bit different. We've been able to progress and we're further along. We're the tip of the spear for communities to follow and see the example that we've set, but again, there's just no “one size fits all” in this discussion. We need to realize that as we're developing this committee and passing this bill. We have to acknowledge that all these communities are different.
There's a further, in-depth sub-education that needs to happen throughout the process, so that we're understanding how we can help these individual communities and these separate nations for the overall picture of what a healthy Canada looks like.
5:55 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Marc Garneau
Thank you, Chief Sellars.
Merci, Madame Gill.
We'll now go to our final questioner. Ms. Idlout, you have six minutes.
5:55 p.m.
NDP
Lori Idlout NDP Nunavut, NU
[Member spoke in Inuktitut, interpreted as follows:]
Thank you.
I just have a question for Ms. Okalik Eegeesiak.
Do you agree that indigenous peoples' rights are protected? Do you agree that the national council for reconciliation is supportive of indigenous rights?
[English]
5:55 p.m.
As an Individual
I think the intent is there. I think that as the commission is being created, the terms of reference will have to be developed. I think that protection and promotion of indigenous rights should be one of the pillars.
I'm not sure if I've answered the question.
5:55 p.m.
NDP
Lori Idlout NDP Nunavut, NU
[Member spoke in Inuktitut, interpreted as follows:]
Thank you for answering my question.
For my next question, I just want to share with you that in the House today there was a historic moment when in our parties all supported Madame Gazan's motion to acknowledge that what happened in residential schools were acts of genocide. This was a very big thing to us.
In light of this, what do you think the next step should be to proceed towards reconciliation?
[English]
5:55 p.m.
As an Individual
Qujannamiik, Lori.
When I was born, the government first recognized me as E7-1865. Residential schools were created to take the Indian out of the child. Yes, it was absolute genocide, with the different types of abuses that indigenous peoples have experienced and continue to experience.
We kind of live in a police state as well right now. If my statistics are right or my recollection is right, for every 100,000 Canadians in the south, there are two police. Up here, for every 1,000 Canadians, there are two police officers, so it's kind of a police state. Coming from a colonial approach, yes, I agree. I congratulate the NDP for getting a motion in place that was supported by all parties.
6 p.m.
NDP
Lori Idlout NDP Nunavut, NU
[Member spoke in Inuktitut, interpreted as follows:]
Yes. Thank you.
Now I just want to ask you, would you support a motion that can strengthen and empower the rights of indigenous peoples?
[English]
6 p.m.
As an Individual
Thank you, Lori.
I think one of the things that I could expand upon for the previous question is to implement the TRC recommendations and implement different reports and recommendations that the commission can also build on. Stop kind of romanticizing the relationships and partnerships governments take and have with indigenous peoples. Romanticizing... I don't know what I mean by that, but yes, implement recommendations and implement land claims agreements with adequate resources and equitable resources.
6 p.m.
Liberal
6 p.m.
NDP
Lori Idlout NDP Nunavut, NU
[Member spoke in Inuktitut, interpreted as follows:]
Thank you.
While I have this opportunity, I want to thank each and every one of you, because we would like to see more empowerment to bodies that are addressing the issues faced in past residential schools and past attempts to commit genocide of indigenous peoples. I just want to say now that I would like to see our rights as indigenous peoples supported and recognized.
Thank you.
[English]
6 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Marc Garneau
Thank you very much, Ms. Idlout.
That brings our panel to a close. I would like to thank our three witnesses this afternoon for their very strong testimonies.
Ms. Melissa Mbarki, Chief Willie Sellars and Ms. Eegeesiak, thank you very much for the giving of your time today. I'm sorry we started a little bit late, but you contributed in an important way to our deliberations as a committee on Bill C-29. We very much appreciate it.
Committee members, just as a reminder, on Monday we'll also be hearing from the transitional committee. As well, any proposed amendments to Bill C-29 have to be in by noon on Tuesday.
Thank you very much, everyone.
With that, this meeting is adjourned.