Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  First of all, the result would be an unfair imposition of something that's as significant and as important as Bill C-44. We would be treated unfairly, because we wouldn't have the same time consideration as was provided to the federal government and the provincial and territorial

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I'll very quickly respond with a partial answer to your question, and then I'm going to turn to Chief Price to complete the response. Consultation is essential. We won't achieve the kind of body and mandate that we know our people deserve if we don't consult. We must. This is a

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Thank you very much, Mr. Chairperson. Greetings to all of the honourable members. We thank you for the opportunity to appear before this committee. I would also like to acknowledge Chief Lynda Price from Ulkatcho First Nation, British Columbia, who is with me; and Candice Meta

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Just very quickly, the value of Kelowna and of the first ministers meeting is that we were at the table in our own right. We were a constructive presence at this first ministers meeting. All of us at the table were there to deal with a comprehensive plan that addressed, in practi

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  First of all, I would like to take this opportunity to respectfully clear up, if I can put it this way, a misconception regarding Kelowna and the suggestion that in order for Kelowna to be given effect there had to be a signed document. I noted in my presentation that there have

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  --and that's first nations poverty and what do about it. That's why we're here, not to engage in this highly partisan process here. I didn't come here to beat up on anyone. I came here because I believe we can do some good together; that's the simple fact.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  First of all, Elijah Harper's action was not against the Charlottetown accord. It had to do with Meech Lake and the fact that Meech Lake—

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Yes. The Meech Lake accord was really, from our perspective, a denial of the distinct characteristic of our people. We were being told that our turn would come later but that we had to deal with the Quebec fact in the country. Elijah took exception to that because clearly, from

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  The objection was the fact that there was no specific reference to aboriginal peoples.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  First of all, Kelowna must be seen for what it was designed to do and for what it was. It was really an investment, on the part of the country, to deal with the single most important social justice issue in the country, which is first nations poverty. It was an investment in our

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I've had my people review it, yes.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  First of all, in terms of our attempts to try to understand the Kelowna accord and the details around Kelowna, we have no problem with the definition. It was about a first nations plan, a plan we put to the first ministers as a challenge to join us in the eradication of mass pove

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Yes, I do. First of all, and I don't want to lose this opportunity with respect to what was lost, in the 2006 budget there's a commitment of $450 million. That represents $100 million in this fiscal year plus $350 million in the next fiscal year. In Kelowna over two years we're

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Part of it includes what we view as lawful obligations on the part of the federal government. I'm referring specifically to the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement, which is $2.2 billion. There I would be unfair if I didn't applaud all parties, including the governm

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Thank you very much. We've been very careful about our statements regarding Kelowna, including facts related to Kelowna, because we want to be fair in our public expressions to all concerned, including to the government. We knew we were dealing not just with Kelowna, because Kel