Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Thank you, member of the committee. Let me express two points about your clarification. First, we want involvement and we want to participate, but sometimes in this process there is little room for us to participate. This exercise in your system is one part, but how many of the members of the committee are willing to consult and come forward in these hearings across Canada in our first nation communities as well?

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  The first priority item, which isn't written there, is on the consultation process for first nations. It needs to be informed, consulted, and give consent. That's one. Number two is the referendum. The reserves are owned collectively by the first nations people--the majority. So that needs to be put in place, as well as the process established for that exercise.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair, members of the standing committee. Tansi, Boozhoo, Edlanet'e, good afternoon. Before I proceed with the presentation, I want to acknowledge the past chair, the member of Parliament Colin Mayes. We had a good working relationship with him. We are trying our best to continue with the work and to bring out the subject issues whenever possible.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Thank you, member of Parliament. It was a good question, the earlier question about the status quo. I think we are looking for a safeguard from the further eroding or terminating or extinguishment of any of our rights. The basic fundamental issues as well as the principles of the Kelowna accord will be able to address some of the fundamental issues of why people feel left out, why people feel discriminated against because they cannot get access to housing, that they can't get the education sponsorship, or basic health care services, or any other basic services in that sense.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Thank you, members of the standing committee. There are a number of issues out of that question. On the Indian Act, repeal of that section of Bill C-31, we were not consulted on how it would create an impact on our people. It kind of determined the reinstatement for the first nations on their status.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  The consultations from an empirical perspective are to provide the information for assessment. They review the information and discuss it among themselves, examine the matters with which they are confronted to know exactly what proposals are in place, and develop a dialogue. And if you need consultation, you'll get feedback of how to go about certain things.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I further state that MKIO's approach is to seek resolutions where first nations governments and our citizens develop and exercise systems to protect the human rights of first nations citizens in accord with their customs, traditions, principles, and beliefs; to address and resolve the persistent inequities between the first nations communities and non-aboriginal Canadians in respect of access to basic community services that may give rise to complaints by first nations citizens; and to ensure that relationships established by treaties and agreements are honoured, upheld, and enforced.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Mr. Chair, bonjour, good morning to everyone. I'd like to thank the standing committee for having us present in regard to proposed Bill C-44, an amendment to the Canadian Human Rights Act. We did give a written submission to the clerk and we apologize for not having a translation.