I'm sorry.
This makes me question the intentions of a nation that states that it wishes to reconcile, while its actions show that reconciliation can take place only on Canada's terms and conditions.
Lastly, in the midst of a housing crisis and the rising cost of living in this country, I would like to address how those of us who reside within our ancestral territory but away from our home communities and reserves are currently being priced out of our lands.
For me and my fellow community members, home ownership outside of our communities is not feasible. Knowing that, it is extremely difficult to see Canadians' inherent wealth vis-à-vis land and property, knowing that those lands and the wealth transferred from them through inheritance were wrongfully acquired.
For me, land restitution extends beyond the borders of my community and can be exemplified by my ability to acquire and own land as well as a home on my own territory, utilize that land and property to generate wealth for my family and community, and, ultimately, pass down my land and associated intergenerational wealth to my children in the same manner as Canadians have been able to build their societies on our lands.
This requires that we think outside of the box when it comes to developing tools and mechanisms to support the acquisition of land and property outside of the reserve. In the same manner as early settlers were given a boost to access wealth through our lands outside of traditional lending and mortgages, we should be exploring how to equitably offer home and land ownership opportunities to first nations individuals throughout their entire territories, not just on reserve.
Restitution also means addressing the current inequities that exist as a result of the wealth and sustainability offered to Canadians through settlement and occupation of our lands and territories.
Meegwetch for this opportunity to speak. I look forward to any questions you might have.