Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Article 31.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I think we are trying to find alternative ways of addressing disputes. A lot of work is going on around the specific claims process in particular, in trying to figure out different ways to address disputes when they arise. We have similar issues about the so-called overlap of territorial claim issues, particularly in British Columbia.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I'm not sure if there's a specific article in the declaration that speaks to it. I'm sure there are others in the room that probably know that off the top of their head, but I'd have to look through to see that. Certainly in the approach that we're taking, both in terms of the negotiation processes, but also in how we're trying to do some transformations around how we deal with specific claims and the claims issues, we are very much in that world of trying to make more space in order to be able to take into account oral tradition and how that has a way of shaping how we need to view both concepts of territory as well as traditional rights that were being exercised and how they were being exercised.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I would say that, along with languages, culture, traditional systems of decision-making, and governance, more and more the discussions around revitalizing traditional systems of indigenous law and understanding those systems are definitely at the heart of a lot of the conversations that we are having, across the country at various tables.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I think that's an open question, obviously, for members of Parliament to determine. Clearly, our focus is that we are continuing to examine not just laws, but also policies and practices to ensure alignment with recognition and implementation of an indigenous-rights approach, and that we are doing so in a way that implements the UN declaration.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I think that's ultimately something that committee members will have to determine in terms of their perspective on strengthening or improving. It's very difficult I think for public servants to weigh in to make a value judgment on that. Our job, of course, is to loyally implement the laws of the country.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I would certainly agree, that is the work that we have underway. Lots still to do. I don't want to give the suggestion that we're near the finish line, but, absolutely that is our focus, looking at what laws, policies and practices need to be transformed in order to reflect a recognition-based approach, and to implement the UN declaration.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  First, I'll just quickly clarify that the tripartite conversations are where there are land issues in play. Not all of the tables are not necessarily tripartite. It just depends on the subject matter. I'm not sure we would frame the discussions we're having in a “duty to accommodate” frame.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I guess I'm going to start, and Ms. Stuhec will jump in if I miss something. Obviously, any federal piece of legislation only attaches to the areas of federal jurisdiction, but there's nothing unusual in that in terms of implementing any international treaty, agreement, and so on.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Thank you, Madam Chair. Good afternoon, everyone. I would like to start by acknowledging that we are meeting here on the unceded territory of the Algonquin people. Thank you very much for the invitation to speak today on Bill C-262. I will be focusing my comments on giving an update on the Government of Canada's efforts to ensure we're not hindering the implementation of indigenous rights, which include work to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  In terms of public engagement, there are a number of different opportunities, some of which originate from the government, some of which originate from the first nations, and some of which can originate from the public itself. In terms of the public, I think everyone's encouraged to get educated on indigenous issues in the country, and a starting point, in a lot of ways, the gateway to that, is reading the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's report.