Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Absolutely not. I don't disagree with that. What I disagree with is.... I should be able to say to anyone, “I'm a Mi'kmaq woman.” It's not because of my affiliation with different organizations or a band that I'm not an indigenous woman.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  To a degree, yes, but—

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I agree with it. What I don't agree with is that the Mi'kmaq—Jaime, you're from my same area, so you know this—are determining who a Mi'kmaq is, but they're still leaving out those who either don't live on a reserve or those who don't or cannot be registered. You have to remember that.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Are you asking me?

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  It doesn't matter.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I think that, yes, it does need to have a little more. Consent has to be consent with everyone, all indigenous peoples—on reserve, off reserve, status and non-status.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Absolutely. Again it goes back to the distinction base of first nations, Inuit and Métis, three national organizations that were given at least six months of preparation and consultation. The Congress of Aboriginal Peoples was given two days prior to going here. The Department of Justice contacted us at the 11th hour of the 11th day to give our input.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I did. I think it's a great idea to have a national action plan but, again, I think it has to be inclusive. Canada has always had five national organizations. The congress has always been a part, way back when it was the Native Council of Canada, NCC. We were always at the table.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I will tackle that question if you don't mind. The other panellists can as well. When it comes to the piece of legislation, again we are still left out because of the distinctions-based approach of the government. They look specifically at rights under section 35. According to the way things are now, I'm a registered Mi'kmaq; I'm status; but because of where I choose to live they're telling me and other members of my organization and the constituency of the congress that we are not rights bearers.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I do not with the way it's written at this time.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair. First of all, I want to tell you a little about the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples. As I'm sure some of you know, we're one of the five national organizations, and we have been around for over 50 years. We represent the off-reserve, non-status and status Métis and the southern Inuit.