If the bill does not pass, we will drastically lose our membership. We are going through studies now. We're on our third study on when the actual extinction of Scugog members would be, and it's within this century. The Anishinabek Nation data shows that anywhere from 40% to 50% of the entire Anishinabek Nation is affected by the second generation cut-off. Many of those who are still eligible to pass on their status are past child-bearing ages. Not only are we getting older, but we can't have any more young ones.
Once that happens, it's permanent. There's no mechanism to restore their recognition under the current framework. We need to pass this now. Consultation on this has been going on since 1985. There is a 12-month consideration, if you pass this, to defer it, to allow us to get our ducks in a row. There's time to do this, and the time is now. Don't let another generation of children go unanswered and unwanted.
As in the chief's apple scenario, we're all Anishinabe in here, and because of colonialism and the way the system is set up—the way the Indian Act is set up—it doesn't allow everyone to get that out. We're not allowed to live on our first nations because of capacity issues. I personally can build a house on my first nation, but I can't pass it down to anyone, so it will go back.... My kids are not allowed to have a house at our first nation.
Meegwetch.