Evidence of meeting #80 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 treaty.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
Jaime Battiste Liberal Sydney—Victoria, NS
Just to be clear, though, it's what comes after this legislation that you are concerned about—about the lands and resources once this legislation comes into effect.
October 31st, 2023 / 5:15 p.m.
Chief Executive Officer, Matawa First Nations
No, this legislation shouldn't come into effect at all. It shouldn't have been set at all.
Liberal
Jaime Battiste Liberal Sydney—Victoria, NS
Okay.
Chief Desjarlais, could you point to anywhere in the legislation that actually speaks to lands and resources?
Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations
I think that, in Alberta, we're already having issues when the government lumps Inuit, first nations and Métis into one. Do you know what? We stand in a treaty position all the time, so it's easier to deal with the Métis nation. It seems to be a divisive tactic, and that's why we say that we're calling on the federal government to abandon the bill.
Liberal
Jaime Battiste Liberal Sydney—Victoria, NS
One of the key points made by some of the presidents of the Métis on the legislation is that there are a lot of people out there who claim to represent Métis from all across Canada. Some are legitimate; some are not factual in law. They said that it's important for us to actually have a piece of legislation that recognizes the importance of ensuring that we see which Métis are actually legitimate Métis, recognized by the courts and recognized by some provinces. Some are not.
Do you not see value in government legislation that recognizes the valid Métis as opposed to those who aren't?
Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations
I guess, if I could take a stab at that.... Whose definition would it be under: the Métis settlements', the Métis Nation's, the provinces' or the feds'?
I think it hurts—how fast you're trying to push this bill—when we, as first nations, are being told on a lot of bills.... In many of them, you can't even find two sentences of first nations' input, and that really hurts. We're supposed to have a treaty, a peace and friendship treaty, and that's why our position is to abandon the bill.
Liberal
Jaime Battiste Liberal Sydney—Victoria, NS
Can you just go into a little bit about that?
What clause in the legislation do you believe impacts your treaty rights?
Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations
I believe this is going to open the door for more division.
Liberal
Jaime Battiste Liberal Sydney—Victoria, NS
There is nothing within the current legislation, but what could happen after the legislation is passed is your concern. Is that correct?
Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations
When you look at Alberta and the Métis nation, and all the offices across the province, we're confined to our reserves and to our traditional territory, but we're going after the same land now. When my treaty territory and land is in question, then we're very concerned.
Liberal
Jaime Battiste Liberal Sydney—Victoria, NS
Okay.
Under the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, they have several clauses about identity and self-determination. Do you believe that UNDRIP should apply to the Métis of Canada?
Chief Executive Officer, Matawa First Nations
Can I answer? I didn't get a chance to answer your previous question there.
Chief Executive Officer, Matawa First Nations
As far as I am concerned, this legislation, Bill C-53, does not define who the Métis are. It seems to me that the Métis Nation of Ontario defined who their own members are. Whereas, as indigenous status people, we are defined within the legislation under the Indian Act. That defines us, so it's a free-for-all as far as I can see in this Bill C-53. Anybody can claim to be a Métis.
Liberal
Jaime Battiste Liberal Sydney—Victoria, NS
Okay, so your concern is around possibly opening up to a lot of different Métis who don't have the proper ancestral lineage. Is that the concern?
Chief Executive Officer, Matawa First Nations
It is happening right now with the Métis Nation of Ontario. Pretty well anyone who declares, “I am a Métis” can be a member, and clearly there is no real definition. I'm sure that happens across Alberta as well, so it's self-determination. Métis themselves define who they are.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal John Aldag
Mr. Battiste, we're out of time, and I do need to move to my next member.
Ms. Bérubé, you may go ahead for six minutes.
Bloc
Sylvie Bérubé Bloc Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you to the witnesses for being here today.
My question is for both witnesses. The passage of Bill C‑53 could undermine current efforts to advance reconciliation with first nations. What do you make of that?
Chief Executive Officer, Matawa First Nations
I'm sorry. I have issues with the sound here.
Bloc
Sylvie Bérubé Bloc Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou, QC
It's sometimes said that the passage of Bill C‑53 would undermine current efforts to advance reconciliation with first nations.
What are your thoughts on that?
Chief Executive Officer, Matawa First Nations
I certainly agree with that.
Reconciliation is being set back under this legislation, and trust is going to be lost. It's so unfortunate, but it seems to me that it's underhanded of the Liberal government to try to force this upon us as first nations. Certainly reconciliation, as far as I am concerned, is dead because of the introduction of Bill C-53.
Bloc
Sylvie Bérubé Bloc Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou, QC
Do you have anything to add, Mr. Desjarlais?
Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations
Short and sweet, I agree with his statements, for sure.
Bloc
Sylvie Bérubé Bloc Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou, QC
My question is for the CEO of Matawa First Nations. You passed Resolution 17-28-07-2022, which stipulates that Matawa member first nations reject Métis assertions in the Matawa homelands and territories. The resolution also rejects Ontario's recognition of the Métis claims as an indigenous people group constitutionally equal to the first nations people of the Matawa member first nations. Can you elaborate on those assertions?