Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  With respect, I'm not in your position. Were I to be in the perfect world, yes, I think under the duty to consult that inherently our section 35 rights for the historic communities, should they meet that threshold, should be acknowledged. That would be a simple amendment, in my view, inside this bill.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I'm going to confer with my colleague, Ms. Bernard, representing the Assembly of First Nations. We may seem like we have different approaches on this, but I concur that we need to go back to the start, because we really can't bifurcate this. I could take this back to our leadership, and I could speak on it at this point, but it is inherently problematic.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I believe the first two questions were for me. In terms of the concern about forfeiture, that was developed in the constating documents that the Métis Nation of Alberta have in their constitution, which were developed in consultation with Canada for their funding agreement. We understand that they would be enacted fully should this bill come into effect.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  In terms of Métis identity, we're complex and unique. I believe that, in section 35 of the Constitution, our rights are recognized at the historic level within the Métis homeland. That should be fairly specific. I don't think having a provincial corporation meets that threshold.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I think that, in that example, the recognition of the Métis as a representative for our historic rights-bearing communities needs to come expressly. That needs to be written; it needs to be stated. What we have, to the contrary and very much in the public, are Métis local communities that have been fighting in Alberta courts to have timely elections.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  The roots of both of those words have reconciliation qualities. They're process words. They involve the act of reconciliation and reciprocal accountability between both parties. At no point have I or my community been consulted on this process. We feel as if, notwithstanding what UNDRIP states....

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  That is another primary concern of ours, and that would be my assessment.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  With respect, that's one of our concerns.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  That was one of the statements I made in my opening remarks, and that would be a central concern for us.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Mr. Viersen, that would be another central concern for us. I am concerned on behalf of my community and our leadership that the federal government's legislation is seeking to legislate our identity. Our identity is linked to historic communities. Like my colleague, Joanna Bernard, I have concerns as well about the registries and who could be qualified as Métis.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  We are concerned with the premise of the bill. With that said, there is a primary issue for us with clause 8, which is with respect to the Métis Nation of Alberta governing our area and our historic community. I think we would be willing to work with the federal government on this bill if we could be consulted.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  That is correct.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  That's my understanding, sir.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Right now, with locals not being under the umbrella of the Métis Nation of Alberta and their new bylaws, as they move towards transitioning from bylaws to a constitution, those assets would be dissolved and transferred to the Métis Nation of Alberta, as would local decision-making.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Yes.