Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Nakurmiik Thank you for that. There are many things at play here. One is the commission itself, and one is who represents the legitimate interests of a people, in this case the Métis nation. As I said earlier, as long as the MNC is referred to as what it is, a not-for-profit

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Well, it depends on what the purpose of the bill is. I'm not clear yet on what the purpose is. In my mind, I see the purpose as being the implementation of the calls to action. That's the primary focus, at least. However, I know there are what some people call “weasel words”. The

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  That's a very big question. Essentially, I firmly believe that for those indigenous peoples who suffered at the residential school and are covered by the apology, the mandate and the calls for action, something more should be done. If that's the vehicle they choose to participate

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I stated this, but I'll state it again. Primarily, it's because we were not included. The Métis nation was not included. The Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement in 2006-2007 dealt only with residential schools that were paid for by the federal government. I was on th

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I have to confess that I haven't studied it. I was asked late Monday to appear on behalf of President Chartrand. In fact, after I wrote my brief, I found the news articles referred to and the comments he made. I don't have a staff yet who can do that for me. I agree that it shou

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Therein lies the problem as well. Our government—and I think this is what President Chartrand was getting toward—doesn't need any intermediary between the national government of the Red River Métis and the federal government or any other government. We should be dealing with all

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  My government—and I personally, but I'm not here to represent myself—is unlike any other government, or, if you want to call us an organization, we'd be unlike any other organization. As I've said ad nauseam, and I will say it again here today, the Métis and our residential schoo

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I did try to get meetings with you. I was in your riding, but they never happened, so I moved out. I went to Saskatoon. In any event, that's an outstanding issue. The sixties scoop for Métis is outstanding. The day schools are outstanding. There's the child welfare situation. T

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I may have misspoken. I think I said “is prepared”, but there are certain things that need to be met—

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  —before that happens. In particular, as I've stated.... Okay. First of all, then, we don't support it the way it is.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Will not.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  There need to be changes. Depending on what the changes are, we may or may not support it—or we may support it if it's meant for indigenous organizations, which we're not. We are a government, so if this non-profit corporation.... We didn't even study to see if we want a non-pro

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Yes.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Thank you, honourable Chair. Members of the committee, I am pleased to be here representing the MMF, the national government of the Red River Métis. I appear as the ambassador responsible for inter-nation and international relations, appointed as such by President Chartrand and