Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Meegwetch. [Witness speaks in her native language] I bring you greetings from my people. I am from the Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve situated on Manitoulin Island. I am Anishinabe from the Anishinabek Nation. Many years ago I came before a committee such as this to retai

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Matrimonial real property is another priority, and this is a big priority from both sides. It concerns the debate over what is going to happen in this piece of legislation. Aboriginal leaders have made their positions very clear about this proposed legislation. We have stated tha

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  We would like to know that we can have some support from the government to deal with Bill C-31 in a meaningful way, so that we can have the resources to work together on this. I don't believe it's very much to ask, as we are willing as a national organization to work with the gov

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Meegwetch. I understand, and it's what always happens to me, but I get so caught up. I just want to share the other big issue we have as aboriginal women, and I'm sure you've heard about it; we've just had our vigil. It's the violence that is being perpetuated against us as abo

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Meegwetch. Further, if we look at our women who are going through this, it also affects our families and our communities. Within our teachings, our children are a gift from the Creator. We have a responsibility to take care of them, to nurture them, and to prepare them for their

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  As I understand the intent of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, that sense of equality is there and that sense of recognizing our traditional practices, which is respect for our women in any decision-making and any measures that affect us within our communities

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Exactly. You are absolutely correct. If we could have a meaningful consultation on Bill C-31, on our rights as women within the division of property, we would be able to share the cultural context. That is what is causing the problem right now. We see it as having some flaws in t

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I just spoke briefly to the grand chief of the Assembly of First Nations, Shawn Atleo. We did talk about that briefly. From what I know, we have made that commitment to work together to achieve the end of this violence towards our women. We have women on reserves, but 70% of our

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  As a matter of fact, it was us, through the Native Women's Association of Canada, who brought out what is happening to our women with this. We brought it forward. We brought it to light. We have been talking about it for many years. We are really pleased that we're getting supp

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Most definitely, and we are working on a regular basis with the minister of state, and she has been supportive.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I'll ask Ms. Green to answer that.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I don't think I understood your question. You said—

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Yes, I know that.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  My understanding of the complaints of our women and the hardships they are going through right now is that as women we are being treated in a different way within the current legislation. My grandchildren do not qualify to be members of my community, whereas the grandchildren of

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I believe that it responds to the court decision to come to a legislative change by April, but it is only the first step. It is only dealing with Sharon's argument about her grandchild. But to look at it further, then we're looking at the next generation and others who may not be