Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I cannot comment on what the impacts would be. Right now, our communities need to understand what's going to happen with this legislative process. In my community, nobody knows what Bill C-44 is. What they want to know is, are they going to get proper housing tomorrow? Are we g

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I think by starting through this process it is going to trigger the government. What we've been always saying to the government also confirms that there is lack of funding and support systems within our communities, and this tool then is going to describe to the government where

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  As we stated, it's very important that our traditional values, language, and oral history, which connect us back with our elders and our homelands, are respected and recognized, because that's the foundation of who we are and where we want to be in the future. In my community, a

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I think over the 30 years we've had that opportunity. I have to say that first nations, in the last 25 or 30 years, have come to the table with their own process on how they wanted to be consulted, but it fell on deaf ears. The process of the Human Rights Act has been around, as

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  As a leader for that many years, I think you come to a point where you pity those people who make those comments. If I were to listen and dwell on their negativity, I would not achieve what I am trying to achieve in my community. They can talk all they want and say all they want-

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  No.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  No.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I share the same frustration as my colleague, but I think you really need to know that these issues are real. I have been chief for 26 consecutive years and I've witnessed and seen how governments try to not recognize our unique status in this country and how for me, as a first n

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I want to respond and say that I think the government has their own process of consultation and their understanding. I make reference to what I provided on language and its understanding. That's where we come from. As treaty first nations people, we come from a uniqueness of havi

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  As first stated, I believe the application of the Canadian Human Rights Act to first nations could be a positive change. As a leader, my hands have been tied financially many times in terms of assisting my members on reserve to reach a standard of living that is enjoyed by other

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Good morning, and thanks for the opportunity to be here today. I have Erica with me, who will discuss the consultation process, but I'll deal with the other issues. I'm Chief Day Walker-Pelletier from the Okanese First Nation in Saskatchewan Treaty Four area. I have been chief o