That's a reality. First nations are saying, “We have these rights. They're recognized and protected in the Constitution. If no one's protecting them, we will”. As you saw in Idle No More, people are standing up. As you see in court case after court case, the courts largely decide in our favour. The government has legal obligations and responsibilities arising from the legal nature of the rights that are at stake. They do have a constitutional responsibility to consult with our communities in a deep way, in my opinion, for any project. For example, some of the projects in British Columbia are being touted as being in the national interest. Surely to goodness the rights of our people must be in the national interest as well, and the just and fair resolution of those should also be in the national interest.
On May 2nd, 2013. See this statement in context.