Indigenous and Northern Affairs Committee on Oct. 31st, 2023

[The Chair, Liberal, John Aldag]

I call this meeting to order.

Welcome to the 80th meeting of the Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs. Pursuant to the Standing Orders, today’s meeting is in a hybrid format.

I'd like to welcome everybody to our meeting.

Now that we are in session, screenshots, photos and recordings are not allowed.

For those participating virtually, our clerk went through everything, hopefully. You have the choice of floor, English or French on your controls. Please select your language of choice. We potentially will be having questions in Inuktitut. You may want to make sure that you're ready for that if Ms. Idlout joins us today.

We're going to get started pretty quickly. One of our witnesses has to leave just after 4:30. We might be able to squeeze in a few more minutes for him, but I'd like to get into opening statements and then into at least the first round of six-minute questions before we move to the second panel.

With that, I'd like to welcome, on our first panel, Hayden Stenlund, student; Jordyn Playne, president, youth council, Métis Nation of Ontario; and Melanie Omeniho, president, Women of the Métis Nation.

Hayden, if you're ready, we'll start with you for your five-minute opening statement.

I do have a system. If the camera is on me, I give a yellow card, which means 30 seconds left, or a red card, for the end of your time. Don't stop in mid-sentence, but wind up your thoughts.

Whenever you're ready, Hayden, we'll turn it over to you for your opening statement of up to five minutes.

[Hayden Stenlund, Student, As an Individual]

[Witness spoke in Michif]

[English]

I am 17 years old. I have cerebral palsy. I am in grade 12 at St. Thomas Aquinas High School. I am a descendant of the half-breed adhesion to Treaty 3. My ancestors are from the northwestern Ontario Métis community in the traditional territory of Treaty 3—Rainy Lake, Rainy River, Lake of the Woods and Lac Seul. The Métis are a distinct people with our own way of life and language, which is Michif.

My family has strong roots in the northwestern Ontario Métis community. My ancestors were present in the area prior to Canada being Canada. The Métis in region 1 are grounded in our identity with regard to who we are and where we come from as people. I've known my roots and Métis identity since birth. I have become a strong advocate for Métis rights and interests. I was raised within a Métis community, and I've been constantly surrounded by strong regional Métis leaders who've advocated and defended our Métis community. My older sister Katelyne and I have been lucky enough to grow up in our Métis community since birth. My Métis family ensured we knew, understood and protected our Métis identity and way of life. From an infant, I was brought onto the lands and waters of my traditional territory to receive teachings regarding my way of life. Because of this, I am proud of, grounded in and aware of where I come from, who I am and my very Métis roots, as I know them.

My mother Regional Councillor Stenlund has always fought for the rights of the citizens in our area. She taught me that my community is rooted in the facts of history: where our ancestors come from, and our rights, interests and claims. We have these inherent rights.

The Crown knew we were a distinct people in 1871, when the Dawson Route came through my territory. Canada acknowledged the Métis in the community via the 1871 half-breeds of Fort Frances Dawson pay list, on which one of my own ancestors is listed. In 1875, Canada again formally acknowledged the Métis community in northwestern Ontario by signing a treaty with us—a half-breed treaty, a Métis treaty. Canada made promises to our Métis community with our Métis treaty adhesion in 1875.

Bill C-53 is a way for Canada to be honourable and to treat our Métis communities the same way as first nation communities with regard to our being able to govern ourselves. The passing of Bill C-53 is more than just a legislative bill on paper. It’s a way for Canada to treat us equitably and to acknowledge that Métis already govern ourselves. The passing of Bill C-53 is an opportunity for Canada to finally and formerly acknowledge our right to internal governance and authority over our citizenship, election processes and Métis child and family services.

I shared my story because I personally believe it's important for Canada to acknowledge and respect us. Our communities will have this legislation acknowledging us. How I was raised should not be compromised. My mom and the MNO should not have to continually stand up for and defend the citizens and our communities. I strongly believe Métis self-government will help us maintain our way of life and allow us to govern ourselves in the Métis way, for all of our future descendants. This is reconciliation in action.

I implore you all to realize the significance of what you are voting on. Think of how you can impact Métis families, communities and our way of life. Our citizens and future generations should not have to turn to the courts to defend our people and communities. Canada needs to act swiftly. This is your opportunity to pass this legislation to acknowledge our right to self-government.

Thank you all. Kawapamitin.

[The Chair, Liberal, John Aldag]

Thank you, Mr. Stenlund. You're right on the mark for the five minutes. Well done, and thank you for your opening comments.

We're going to go to our other online witness, as I always like to do while the technology is working.

Ms. Omeniho, when you're ready, the floor is yours for five minutes.

[Melanie Omeniho, President, Women of the Métis Nation - Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak]

Thank you.

Before I start, I want to say how proud I am of Hayden. I've known Hayden since he was a very young man, and he does make my heart big.

Good afternoon. My name is Melanie Omeniho. I'm the president of Women of the Métis Nation-Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak.

I'd like to acknowledge that I'm joining you today from Treaty 6 territory, the motherland of the Métis nation.

Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak is the national Métis women's organization. It's democratically mandated to represent Métis women across the Métis nation motherland. LFMO plays a significant role in enhancing the social, cultural, economic, environmental and leadership space occupied by Métis women. We influence public policy and decision-making related to rights, priorities, concerns and aspirations of Métis women within the Métis nation and the Canadian government.

I'm here today speaking in favour of the passing of Bill C-53. Having reviewed the proposed bill, I'm heartened to see that, after the signing in 2019 with Canada and the Métis governments of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario, the relationship will be formalized by way of the passing of Bill C-53.

Métis people have long been seen as the “free men”. The Cree people gave us the name of “Otipemisiwak”: the people who governed and owned themselves.

This bill recognizes and acknowledges that Métis people have the right, based on section 35 of the Constitution of 1982, to actualize self-government. By way of law, this will further define that Canada will interact with the specified Métis governments, recognizing their right to self-govern.

This bill does not deal with land or land rights, as may have been heard through media. It speaks solely to the internal governance structures of the Otipemisiwak-Métis government, the Métis Nation of Saskatchewan and the Métis Nation of Alberta. It does not impact on other indigenous peoples or other people who are Métis who are seeking their own rights.

The bill recognizes the authority with respect to governance, operations and things like child and family services. Further, Bill C-53 speaks to our self-determination on who is Métis. This bill has no adverse impacts on other indigenous peoples. Métis rights are not subordinate to the rights of other indigenous peoples. There is no hierarchy of indigenous rights. This fact is spoken about within the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples and even in the Supreme Court of Canada in the Powley decision.

With several recent examples of the swift passing of government bills on other indigenous nations, I would expect that there would be no impediment to the swift passing of this act.

Article 4 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples states:

Indigenous peoples, in exercising their right to self-determination, have the right to autonomy or self-government in matters relating to their internal and local affairs, as well as ways and means for financing their autonomous functions.

Further, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act states:

Whereas the Government of Canada recognizes that all relations with Indigenous peoples must be based on the recognition and implementation of the inherent right to self-determination, including the right of self-government;

Bill C-53 is simply validating what the Government of Canada has already committed to in its relationship with indigenous peoples. We speak strongly in favour of the work and look to offer our support with ongoing Métis gender-based intersectional analysis through the implementation of Bill C-53. It will take everyone's collective efforts to make this process a success and to empower this historic bill to be a driving force to advance reconciliation in Canada.

I look forward to joining with our other Métis nation leaders to ensure the swift passing of this bill supporting the Métis nation of governments and advancing our reconciliation.

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, John Aldag]

Thank you for your opening comments.

Ms. Playne, we'll go to you. Whenever you're ready, you have five minutes.

[Jordyn Playne, President, Youth Council, Métis Nation of Ontario]

Thank you, Chair and members of the committee.

I'm Jordyn Playne, president of the Métis Nation of Ontario youth council and the youth representative on the provisional council of the Métis Nation of Ontario.

I'm a descendent of Marguerite Dusome of Penetanguishene, a historic community along the shores of Georgian Bay. My community has a rich and long history of self-governing Métis people. We are rights-bearing community members of the Métis community of Georgian Bay under section 35 and have an inherent and constitutional right to self-government.

My Métis ancestors were forced off their lands, but always maintained their community around the upper Great Lakes. Today we celebrate our heritage through vibrant community councils, gatherings, youth cultural programming, Métis music and art and our traditional ways of life. We also celebrate the stories that connect first nations and Métis people. It is essential that we remember our shared history and the waters of Georgian Bay that hold the spirit of our ancestors. They continue to inspire us today.

That said, since the introduction of this legislation, misinformation has been spreading about Métis communities, driven by some Métis and first nations leadership. As a result, Ontario Métis students and young people are now living in fear of online misinformation and being subjected, at some points, to harassment at school.

It is not that Métis youth are questioning our identity. We are strong in our connections to our community and to our culture. It is our youth, like Hayden Stenlund, who spoke previously, who are continuing to pick up the fight of our ancestors to ensure that future generations find themselves better off than we are today.

This new-found concern stems from those who seek to undermine our very existence and leaves us wondering—and anxious—whether tomorrow might bring more hurtful accusations, and questioning how we can respond to this lateral violence.

While the Métis have always faced prejudice, our generation grew up at a time when Métis rights were affirmed by the Supreme Court of Canada. For the past 20 years, we have had rights recognition that was denied to our ancestors. In some cases, even instructors and professors are attacking Ontario youth on social media. In other cases, Métis young people are being bullied at school.

This is having a negative psychological impact on Métis youth. We cannot allow political division to damage the relationships between the first nations and Métis people in what is now Canada. As we all work together to walk the path of reconciliation together, we need to focus on the common ground we share.

We found plenty of this, on issues such as climate change, education, equitable access to health care and the need to take action on missing and murdered indigenous women and girls, but we must also support one another in advancing our respective self-governments.

Bill C-53 will not only empower Métis governments to protect Métis children and families in the welfare system but also ensure that Métis youth get a real say in the programs and services provided by our Métis governments.

Bill C-53 will allow youth to have a voice. It will empower our young people to be in the dialogue with our Métis leadership and uplift our voices around shaping the laws and policies of our Métis government. It provides us with the autonomy to ensure that our people are taken care of in a way that is respective and representative of our own culture and ways of knowing. This legislation is truly reconciliation in action, and it enshrines in law the section 35 rights that our people were promised many years ago.

My ancestors and past leadership have fought for our right to self-govern and determine our collective paths forward. We have a historic opportunity to finish the work of our ancestors and build a Métis government that is rooted in our ways of knowing, being and culture. My Métis ancestors started to paddle the canoe forward in our journey towards self-government, and it is now the responsibility of Canada and our leadership to safeguard this journey for future generations.

I ask for your support of Bill C-53 to ensure not only that the people of today have protected rights of self-government but also that my children, my children's children and future generations are self-governing Métis people.

[The Chair, Liberal, John Aldag]

Thank you for your opening statements, everyone.

I have a quick question.

Ms. Stenlund, I want to clarify whether you're willing or able to accept questions as well. I know that you're here in support of your son, but a question was asked about whether you are able to or willing to take questions today.

[Theresa Stenlund, As an Individual]

I'd be glad to take questions as well. Today is Hayden's day, but I'm also willing to take questions on behalf of the community and the MNO.

[The Chair, Liberal, John Aldag]

I appreciate that clarification from you as a mother.

Colleagues, let's get into it. First up, I have Mr. Vidal, who has six minutes.

When you're ready, the floor is yours.

[Gary Vidal, Conservative, Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River, SK]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I want to thank all of the witnesses for being here today as we consider this important piece of legislation and try to find our way to a good outcome.

Ms. Playne, I'm going to start with you. Hopefully, I'll get to everybody a bit here throughout my time.

You had an article in the Toronto Star just in the last couple of days. It's very similar to a lot of the points you made today in your presentation, so I'm not pulling anything out of here that's not what you probably just said as well. I think it's pretty common information that you shared. I'm going to quote from the article, which, again, reflects what you said.

It states, “First Nations and Métis in Ontario are supposed to be walking this path to reconciliation together; yet each day, it feels more and more like a feeding frenzy. Some First Nations leaders are pitting us against one another.” That's one of the paragraphs in there.

Today, in fairness, you clarified this. Part of my question was going to be about how it's not just first nations leaders, but other Métis leaders, other Métis organizations and the MMF. There have been letters written by the MN-S and the MNBC, which have challenged the MNO leadership on some of the membership stuff and some of that. I'm sure you're aware of all that.

My question around all of this—the importance of this legislation and some of the controversy that's happening between different groups, especially in northern Ontario—is on consultation. Do you think there was enough consultation?

You talked about misinformation. Was there the provision of enough accurate information to all of the parties involved in all of this to avoid some of the conflict, avoid some of the accusations and avoid some of the challenges that we're facing now?

Was an adequate job done in creating the relationship and providing information to all of the parties that are now concerned about some of the things going on?

[Jordyn Playne]

Thank you for your question.

Thank you, first of all, for reading the article. It's very much appreciated.

Last Thursday, some of our previous presidents spoke to some of the consultation, but one of the things I want to highlight around the misinformation.... I can speak directly to an incident that's happening in my home community and how this misinformation is directly affecting young people.

Due to the misinformation that we've seen, both in the media and on Parliament Hill previously, this information is trickling down to young people through their local leadership and their parents, and it's now trickling into schools. Our neighbouring first nations communities are coming into schools and fighting with Métis children because of this misinformation.

The MNO has done an incredible job of putting out the information surrounding this bill. The information is out there about the exact aims of this bill. We've all previously spoken about the exact targets of it, but I think the MNO has done an incredible job of putting out the facts of this bill.

[Gary Vidal, Conservative, Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River, SK]

Thank you.

To drill down a bit further on that, do you think the government has done enough to educate people on this? This is a piece of legislation that—as we clarified on Thursday, I think, and the analysts clarified for me again today—if passed, provides that future treaties don't have to come back to Parliament but can be approved by an order in council. In lay terms, that means cabinet can just approve future treaties.

In fairness, there's been a lot of talk about passing this quickly, like we've done with all the other pieces of self-government legislation in the past, but there's never been a piece of self-government legislation that has taken this approach. This is the first of its kind. For it to not have to come back to Parliament later is creating some concern for many people.

In the context of that, do you think the government did enough to educate some of the first nations people you're dealing with in this conflict?

[Jordyn Playne]

With all due respect, I think this bill has been a long time coming. We have been self-governing and we have engaged in these conversations for a long time, so I think some of those questions might be better answered by some of the technical team. I'm not here to speak about some of the concerns around the processes, but I can speak to how this has affected young people and the dire need to have young people's voices included in our self-government.

That's exactly what this bill is going to do. It will ensure that young people are empowered in those dialogues because, right now.... I think of our funding agreements and how they're heavily reliant on federal and provincial funds. At any time, in theory, they could be yanked. However, if we are in the conversation, we get to determine how funds are spent and spent in a way that is representative of Métis people.

[Gary Vidal, Conservative, Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River, SK]

Thank you for that.

I'm going to move on. I don't have much time left.

I'm going to move on to Ms. Stenlund. If you want Hayden to answer, that's fine. I'm going to ask you a question in relation to an article you actually put out, I believe, in the Hill Times just a few days ago. It's a bit similar to what I just asked Ms. Playne.

You say, “Métis are only asking to be treated the same as other Indigenous Peoples who have seen their self-government legislation passed swiftly and respectfully.”

In the Library of Parliament's legislative summary to us, it's very clear that this legislation is very different from any of the prior pieces of self-government legislation. When you asked for this to be passed quickly and swiftly, are you suggesting that parliamentarians, or this committee, should not execute our democratic responsibility to carefully consider the legislation? This is really significant regarding the future of the Government of Canada's relationship with the Métis people.

Are you asking us not to do our due diligence in that respect?

[The Chair, Liberal, John Aldag]

We are at the end of the six minutes. I'll just give you an opportunity for a brief response. There could be a chance to come back to that. A brief answer would be appreciated.

Thank you.

[Theresa Stenlund]

The Métis have been self-governing for generations. Hayden gave a quick synopsis of our history, who we are and where we come from. There's no hierarchy in the Constitution. The other indigenous peoples are self-governing. We're just asking Canada to formally recognize us on paper for what we've already been doing for generations. It's been a long time coming, and we're just asking Canada to move on that.

[The Chair, Liberal, John Aldag]

Thank you.

Mr. Stenlund, I'll point out that for this round we have 18 minutes left. Please stay with us as long as you can. I'm getting some anxiety about you missing your bus. When you need to go, feel free to hang up and leave. I'll just thank you now. Please feel free to stay as long as you can.

With that, we're going to move to Mr. Carr, for his six minutes.

[Ben Carr, Liberal, Winnipeg South Centre, MB]

Thanks very much, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Stenlund, I'm going to direct my question to you.

I want to start by saying how wonderful it was to listen to your presentation here today. As members of the committee know, I'm a former high school teacher and high school principal. To see young leaders articulate with such passion and intellect on behalf of an issue that's important to them is really inspiring. Thanks for being here.

One of the questions that I would like to ask is this. From your own experience, what role do you believe that youth and students, particularly in secondary, so in grades 9 to 12, can play in advancing the rights of indigenous peoples?

One way, of course, that this could be done is you can appear as a witness in front of a parliamentary committee, although that is not something that happens particularly often. It's a privileged position certainly for us to be able to listen to you and the opportunity for you to speak to us.

Beyond the confines of Parliament, what are the ways in which you think people of your generation, whether that's in your community, in your school, across the province or across the country can advocate for advancing the rights of indigenous peoples?

[Hayden Stenlund]

We can practise our way of life, show people that and be proud of who we are. We can tell people who we are. We shouldn't be afraid to show our Métis identity. We should be involved in our communities. We should proudly speak our language of Michif. We shouldn't be afraid to show our personalities. We shouldn't be afraid to show our identity. We shouldn't be afraid to practise our very way of life, which we practised for centuries without formal recognition by the Crown. I think we deserve that.

[Ben Carr, Liberal, Winnipeg South Centre, MB]

Mr. Stenlund, I'm going to follow up if I can.

Your colleague here, Ms. Playne, had talked about an increase in both real and perceived fear, particularly online in regard to this particular debate. Are you able to share...if you're comfortable? I know this could be a difficult topic. Certainly, feel free to say, “I'd like to pass.”

Would you be able to comment on whatever personal experiences you have had, or those around you have had, in relation to some of the anxieties and fears that Ms. Playne raised a few moments ago?

[Hayden Stenlund]

One of my fears is that we're treated differently than first nations. We are not given the resources that are given to first nations. We aren't really considered as first nations. We're sort of cast aside when we shouldn't be. If we say we're indigenous—and this is my personal opinion—we are telling the truth. It's not like we're a minority group. We've been around for centuries, decades and multiple generations. We're not going to go away anytime soon. I think we need to be considered.

[Ben Carr, Liberal, Winnipeg South Centre, MB]

Thanks very much, Mr. Stenlund.

Ms. Playne, perhaps I will direct the same question to you—not the second one, because I think you answered that in part of your opening statement, but the first one.

Can you talk about the ways in which Métis youth across the country can exercise their leadership in the capacity of advancing indigenous rights for peoples across the country? What are some of the ways in which youth can do that, and is there a role for the federal government to be supportive in those endeavours?

[Jordyn Playne]

Absolutely. I think young people need to stand up and be proud of being Métis.

In the previous week, you heard a lot about Métis once being known as “the forgotten people”. What I'm seeing among young leadership in Ontario and across the motherland is that we are no longer sitting quietly and hiding. We are the ones leading the way and being proud of who we are. We are raised in a beautiful culture and community. Folks need to stand tall and speak their truth. It's not easy. We've seen that, but it's worth it.

[Ben Carr, Liberal, Winnipeg South Centre, MB]

Could you elaborate on this? What has changed? You say “no longer”, which implies there was a time when youth were feeling less vocal or less engaged than you and your generation are now, perhaps.

Where do you think the shift occurred? What's behind that?

[Jordyn Playne]

I think more people are talking about Métis communities and families. It's something that is super common now. I come from a community that represents 25% of the Métis citizens in Ontario. We are engaging in dialogue, from the itty-bitties all the way up to our elders. It's no longer something folks are hiding. More people are coming to gatherings and engaging in dialogue that way.