Thank you.
I would just like to share our first-hand experience in engaging our members on our citizenship law.
As Muskeg Lake Cree Nation continues to restore our inherent right to self-determination and moves away from under the Indian Act, we've always understood through oral history and teachings that our Creator gave us sovereignty to govern ourselves. Muskeg Lake Cree Nation currently has a seat at the recognition of indigenous rights and self-determination table. That was announced in June 2023 with a letter of intent. This sets up the road map that will help guide us as treaty partners to implement our inherent right to self-government.
Citizenship was and continues to be a primary focus down the self-government path. With approximately 2,500 members, with over 85% of our members living outside of the community and with 900 of those members labelled 6(2) under Canada's lens, we knew that consultation sessions were going to be very challenging.
We utilized our urban committees in the cities most populated by our members to help with engagement sessions. We had 10 sessions over a four-month period. We had nearly 500 of our members participate. In addition to that, we've had questionnaires and surveys, utilizing our app and utilizing our members' portal inside our website. It was very important that we engaged all our people by using every avenue we could. This ensures that every member has a pathway to participate.
The engagement themes included our nation's authority over citizenship law, the impacts of the second-generation cut-off, recognition of adoption and kinship, and long-term nation sustainability. A clear majority of our members responded and expressed that Muskeg Lake Cree Nation, not Canada, should determine who our citizens are. Our members also emphasized aligning citizenship with our values, our tradition, our culture and our teachings. Responses consistently framed citizenship as an inherent right and not a delegated authority. Our members also emphasized aligning citizenship reform with housing, program capacity and fiscal planning.
Muskeg Lake Cree Nation is not expanding membership indiscriminately. The nation is defining citizenship as a foundation of governance, treaty continuity and long-term sustainability.
Moving forward, we understand that when citizens participate, trust grows and that when trust grows, government strengthens. The answers must not come from leadership alone; they must come from the collective voice of our nation. Belonging is not just about eligibility. It is about kinship. It is about responsibility. It is about our future and ensuring that our laws reflect who we are as Muskeg Lake Cree Nation people.
Thank you.