Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Is that in relation to the passage of that bill?

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I'm not aware that there was any, and my understanding is that the modern-day treaties are consistent with the umbrella final agreement that was negotiated, but those treaties are brought in by order in council. My understanding is that it wasn't contentious, which is why we've replicated the model here: It's because if it's good for the goose, it should be good for the gander, and if this wasn't a controversial technique previously and it still exists there—I know that all of the Yukon treaties have not been negotiated—that was the model used.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I think that some of the fears are the outcome of 150-plus years of ignoring the Métis. I've spent my life in courtrooms where provincial governments have been taking these positions. Everyone has this Nimbyism—not in my backyard. We even had to go to court in Manitoba to prove that there were Métis there with rights.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I think that's a great question, because that's where reconciliation ultimately needs to get to. I will just say that I think we need to have understanding and context. I completely understand why the first nations in some places stand up and say that this is unfair, because look at what Canada's colonization project was in relation to them.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I don't think that's necessarily true, if you read what the self-government agreements say. My friends from the Manitoba Métis Federation conveniently ignored that. Those self-government agreements say what will be within the treaty. I want to say this model was used in the Yukon.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I think two things change. First, there's a recognition and affirmation. That's what the legislation does. The second thing is this: It sets out a legislative framework for future treaties to be given legal force and effect. In many ways, it's reverse-engineering the process, because we've seen, as I highlighted in my presentation, the rug get pulled out from under us, whether it's Charlottetown, constitutional conferences or changes in government.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  The agreements are absolutely clear. These are citizenship-based governments. Everyone who is represented by these governments mandates them to do so. If they want to be represented by a different government, unlike the Indian Act, you can actually deregister from these governments.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair. My name is Jason Madden, and I'm a citizen of the Métis nation and a member of a well-known Métis community in northwestern Ontario, which is a part of the Métis nation no matter what map you use. Over the last 20 years, I've been one of the Métis lawyers who's been in the courtrooms to ensure that the promise of section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982, is finally implemented.