Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I think that Canada should make all the wrongs right first. My fear is that, when I'm cranky, you'll just go to the Métis and ask for consultation on my lands and my projects. Do you know what? We forgot.... I'm going to say it. The first nations were here. Then came the foreigners, the settlers, and then came the Métis.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Like I said earlier about the projects in our area, the resources, the land and so forth, it's a divisive document. It may not directly say it in there, but that's what's going to happen.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Like I said earlier, you have to talk to the first nations. I think that's important, that we have our input involved in transcribing these documents. There probably wouldn't be as much push-back if the first nations were being heard.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I just want to say that it's pretty hard to be first nations in Alberta, because it seems like we're not recognized by the province. It's like another—God rest his soul—Jordan Anderson again. We're bounced between jurisdictions. Do you know what? Our common goal is to have clean, safe drinking water with no mould, an economy with people working, addictions-free nations and the utilization our resources to have ambulances.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  That would be my intuition, but I would ask the government that question.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I just want to say that it's going to muddy the waters more in Alberta. If treaty members live off reserve, what do they fall under? If the Métis people live off the settlements, you're creating the Métis nation. I think you're asking me what they fall under. I guess it would be a fourth level of government.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  It would be creating another level of government. It's hard for us to accept and to understand when we're not given the respect that we deserve as the first peoples. I shared before that our 46 votes aren't enough at the AFN table. We get outvoted. I've seen treaty resolutions get trumped by the AFN charter, which is an arm of the government there, so....

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  We already made a treaty. Again, if it was upheld—look at the natural resources, the forestry, the oil and gas, the mines and the minerals—if those were paid to the first nations, we'd be more...“self-sufficient” would be the word. I don't know about self-government, because we're—

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  You cannot have a government without land.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Yes, I'll take a stab at that, David. The Métis fall under Canada. The first nations fall under UNDRIP.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I think it goes back to the original definition. It's the people who were here at the time of contact, the treaty peoples.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Short and sweet, I agree with his statements, for sure.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I think what has to happen.... Even now, you guys gave us six minutes. What has to happen is that we should be involved from the beginning. If you want to talk about reconciliation, you have to involve first nations people. Sometimes our trust is taken advantage of as first nations people.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  We have to start somewhere. I'm glad that you're hearing me. Again, when the NRTAs were unilaterally done, our people were not included. That was almost 100 years ago. First nations are part of the solution here in this country. We were never the problem. Now that section 35 is full of victories, I think we have to go back to honouring the treaty and working together, listening to what we're trying to say, and not using the AFN, because it doesn't work for all.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  When you look at Alberta and the Métis nation, and all the offices across the province, we're confined to our reserves and to our traditional territory, but we're going after the same land now. When my treaty territory and land is in question, then we're very concerned.