Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Good afternoon, everyone.
My name is Steve Meawasige. My number is 2010036101. I am an Anishinabe from the Serpent River First Nation here in what is now known as Ontario.
I come here today to support Métis people in their fight to have their rights recognized. Most certainly, I'm here to support my lovely wife Donna Grenier. She, like so many other Métis people, is feeling persecuted at this time by the Indian chiefs opposing this bill. I know of some Métis people who have decided it is better to be an Indian under the act than to be Métis. There are also many, like my wife, who say they are Métis and will always be Métis, even if given the chance to become Indian.
In 1848, Chief Shingwauk offered the Métis community in Sault Ste. Marie an opportunity to join his band. History teaches us that only four of them agreed to join. All the other half-breeds said they were Indian enough without binding themselves under the chief. Those people who joined were also his children-in-law.
To me, this says a lot about who they are, who my wife is and what it means to be Métis. I believe that, if this bill is passed into law, it would help the Métis and Indians work together for the greater good, as the chiefs many years ago envisioned.
I am not sure what impact my statements will have on my nation or other nations in Ontario, but I strongly believe this needs to be said. I will accept the consequences that may or may not come my way for speaking my truth for the Métis nation.
Many of our ancestors lost their identity through assimilation, and this continues today. My great-great-grandchildren may never know they had a native person in their lineage because of the Indian Act. This bill provides hope that, someday, Canada will allow all Indians to identify who our citizens are. Then, self-determination for us will become law.
This is an important step in Canada's path towards reconciliation. It will protect our lineage. When we are here discussing this legislation, we must think about the next seven generations. Today, we are seeing the outcomes and repercussions of the government not recognizing indigenous rights over the last 150 years. We need to make sure we are not ignoring these rights again. It is always very emotional for me to speak about the next seven generations, knowing there may be ones not yet born who will someday look back and say, “Someone was thinking of me.” This is how we live—by the seven generations and the seven grandfathers teachings.
This is not about a land grab or hunting rights. This is about who they are. I can't decide for other people what they believe in, but I need to stand up and support the Métis who want self-determination. I know it's what many of us want for our communities. This is about Canada recognizing the Métis rights that were acknowledged in section 35 of the Constitution, after robust consultation with the indigenous people across the land. It's clear there are complex and deeply rooted issues that need to be addressed to ensure justice, reconciliation and self-determination for all indigenous communities. The issue of recognizing the rights and identity of Métis people is an important one. Métis people have a distinct culture and history. Acknowledging their rights and self-determination is crucial for fostering unity and understanding among all indigenous communities in Canada.
The struggle for self-determination, cultural preservation and the recognition of indigenous rights is ongoing. It's important for governments to work collaboratively with indigenous nations to address these issues. The concept of “nation to nation to nation” discussions is a step in the right direction, as it can help create a framework for meaningful dialogue and collaboration between indigenous peoples and the Canadian government.
This is our way. We have seen this with the nation-to-nation relationship between the Métis and the Anishinabe in 2005. It's essential for the government and society as a whole to listen to the voices of indigenous people, support reconciliation efforts and take meaningful steps towards addressing historical injustices in order to improve the lives of indigenous communities. The journey towards reconciliation is ongoing, but it is a path that can lead to a more inclusive and equitable Canada for everyone.
I hope this committee understands both its important role in ensuring the passage of this bill but also its role in ensuring that we are not pitting Métis and first nations peoples against each other.
We must remember that we are still navigating a colonial system on our path to reconciliation. Doing what is right is often never easy, but this path is an important one.
Thank you.