Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I would say the comprehensive claims policy does need to be replaced with something that is co-developed with first nations on an equal footing. I think the process needs to be guided by both parties equally. It doesn't need to be dictated by one party to another, whereby if you want to see redress for your lands, this is the process you have to use.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  We don't. CIRNAC tells us who our community members are.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  We do. We identify. We know who we are, but our membership is controlled by CIRNAC. Currently we don't have a membership law in Kitigan Zibi.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I'm thinking in particular of granting processes for down payments on homes or lands outside of first nations communities for first nations individuals from the territory. As an example, I'll say right now, outside of my own home community, in order for me to be able to buy land or property in Ottawa, which is unceded ancestral territory for me and most community members, that's completely out of reach given the socio-economic conditions within our community.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I definitely do. I hold the position that Crown lands that are not currently being utilized—I'll maybe pinpoint provincial parks and nature reserves such as the ones very close to Ottawa—can definitely be returned to Algonquin community members and nations, and the land can be utilized in the way those communities see fit.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Any mechanism for indigenous people to be able to access capital outside of the traditional institutions is beneficial for communities. There are a lot of barriers that exist when it comes to indigenous people and the traditional finance system, and creating indigenous-owned systems such as the one you mentioned....

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  It's the National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Off the top of my head, I can't think of one at the moment.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  [Witness spoke in Algonquin] [English] I would first like to say meegwetch to the standing committee for giving me the time and opportunity to share my thoughts on the extremely important topic of land restitution. I firmly believe that in the so-called era of reconciliation, the question of land—land ownership, jurisdiction and resources—is the most important question that needs to be resolved if our nations ever hope to coexist in peace and friendship.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I'm sorry. This makes me question the intentions of a nation that states that it wishes to reconcile, while its actions show that reconciliation can take place only on Canada's terms and conditions. Lastly, in the midst of a housing crisis and the rising cost of living in this country, I would like to address how those of us who reside within our ancestral territory but away from our home communities and reserves are currently being priced out of our lands.