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APPA - Standing Committee

Indigenous Peoples

Studies & Bills

  • Most Senate committees require an order of reference before they can undertake such work.
  • An order of reference is a decision of the Senate, authorizing a committee to study a proposed law, government spending or a specific subject related to the mandate of the committee. An order of reference might specify what subjects a study should cover, how long it should take to complete, and other important details. It establishes the scope of the study and may give other powers the committee needs to conduct the study.
  • Certain Senate committees have permanent orders of reference and are empowered by the Rules of the Senate to act on their own initiative without additional authority from the Senate.
  • Below is a list of orders of reference that this committee has been authorized to undertake by the Senate or is empowered to act on their own initiative.
  • You will also find for each order of reference:
    • meeting dates and witness details,
    • publicly available briefs and documents,
    • minutes of proceedings, transcripts and video or audio recordings of public meetings (when applicable).
    • Once the committee has completed its study, a link to its report to the Senate will also be posted here.
Committee Alerts

Bill S-274, An Act to establish National Thanadelthur Day

Order of Reference: 2024-11-07
There are no meetings for this study/bill.

The subject matter of Bill S-268, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Indian Act

Order of Reference: 2024-05-30

Date/Time Witnesses (16) Location Links/Notes
Dec 10, 2024
10:33 AM ET

There are no witnesses on this study/bill for this meeting.

Room C128, Senate of Canada Building
Dec 03, 2024
09:03 AM ET
  • Darcy Bear, Chief Whitecap Dakota First Nation
  • Edmund Bellegarde, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Executive Officer of Kihew Consulting & Research Inc. FHQ eCommerce Ltd
  • Terry Richardson, Chief, Pabineau First Nation, Board Member Mi'gmawe'l Tplu'taqnn Inc.
  • Rob Scarpelli, Managing Director HLT Advisory Inc.
  • Evan Taypotat, Chief Kahkewistahaw First Nation
  • Dean Vicaire, Executive Director Mi'gmawe'l Tplu'taqnn Inc.
Room C128, Senate of Canada Building, with videoconference
Nov 26, 2024
10:01 AM ET
  • Ted Williams, Chief Chippewas of Rama First Nation
Room C128, Senate of Canada Building, with videoconference
Nov 20, 2024
06:45 PM ET
  • Terry Braun, General Counsel
  • Bobby Cameron, Chief Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations
  • John C. Hill, Legal Counsel Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations
  • Roy Whitney, Chief Tsuut'ina Nation
Room C128, Senate of Canada Building, with videoconference
Nov 19, 2024
09:00 AM ET
  • Mehek Noorani, Director of Parliamentary Affairs for the Honourable Mary E. Robinson
  • Jarrod Olson, Counsel, Criminal Law Policy Section Department of Justice Canada
  • Lyndon Simmons, Director of Economic Program Management, Lands and Economic Development Branch Indigenous Services Canada
  • The Honourable Scott Tannas, sponsor of the bill
  • Joanna Wells, Senior Counsel and Team Leader, Criminal Law Policy Section Department of Justice Canada
Room C128, Senate of Canada Building, with videoconference

The subject matter of those elements contained in Divisions 25 and 26 of Part 4 of Bill C-69, An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on April 16, 2024

Order of Reference: 2024-05-09
Report(s):
  • Nineteenth Report: The subject matter of those elements contained in Divisions 25 and 26 of Part 4 of Bill C-69, An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on April 16, 2024

Date/Time Witnesses (10) Location Links/Notes
Jun 04, 2024
09:00 AM ET
  • Hilda Anderson-Pyrz, Chair National Family and Survivors Circle
  • Krista Apse, Director General, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Secretariat Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada
  • Marcel Balfour, Director of Policy and Legal Affairs Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs
  • Kenza El Bied, Director General, Policy and Outreach, Emergency Management and Programs Branch Public Safety Canada
  • Jennifer Jesty, Emergency Resiliency Manager Union of Nova Scotia Mi'kmaq
  • Adrian Walraven, Director General, Indigenous Affairs Public Safety Canada
Room C128, Senate of Canada Building, with videoconference
May 29, 2024
06:45 PM ET
  • Anne David, Senior Director, Asset Management, Crown Investment and Asset Management Department of Finance Canada
  • Shaun Fantauzzo, Vice-President, Policy First Nations Major Projects Coalition
  • Sharleen Gale, Chief, Fort Nelson First Nation and Chair, First Nations Major Projects Coalition First Nations Major Projects Coalition
  • Mary McKay, Director General, Regulatory Coordination, Consultation and Economic Inclusion, Nòkwewashk Natural Resources Canada
Room C128, Senate of Canada Building, with videoconference

Government response to the Fourteenth Report (interim) of the Standing Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples entitled: "Honouring the Children Who Never Came Home: Truth, Education and Reconciliation", deposited with the Clerk of the Senate on April 26, 2024

Order of Reference: 2024-04-26
There are no meetings for this study/bill.

Examine the federal specific claims policy and process

Order of Reference: 2024-04-09
There are no meetings for this study/bill.

Examine the provisions and operation of the Indigenous Languages Act (S.C. 2019, c. 23) pursuant to Section 49.1 of said Act

Order of Reference: 2024-04-09
There are no meetings for this study/bill.

Government Response to the twelfth report (interim) of the Standing Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples entitled: "On the Outside Looking In: The Implementation of the Cannabis Act and its effects on Indigenous Peoples", tabled in the Senate on June 14, 2023

Order of Reference: 2024-03-21
There are no meetings for this study/bill.

Bill S-16, An Act respecting the recognition of the Haida Nation and the Council of the Haida Nation

Order of Reference: 2024-02-29
Report(s):
  • Seventeenth Report: Bill S-16, An Act respecting the recognition of the Haida Nation and the Council of the Haida Nation, without amendment

Date/Time Witnesses (6) Location Links/Notes
Apr 10, 2024
06:45 PM ET
Appearing
  • The Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, P.C., M.P., Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada
Witnesses
  • Paul Dyck, Federal Negotiations Manager Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada
  • Bruce Hamilton, Legal Counsel Department of Justice Canada
  • Tanya Punjabi, Legal Counsel Department of Justice Canada
  • Martin Reiher, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada
Room C128, Senate of Canada Building, with videoconference
Apr 09, 2024
09:00 AM ET
  • Gaagwiis, President Council of the Haida Nation
Room C128, Senate of Canada Building

Examine the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, 2021 by Canada and First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples

Order of Reference: 2023-11-30

Date/Time Witnesses (52) Location Links/Notes
Oct 23, 2024
06:46 PM ET
  • Don Nicholls, Member Coalition for the Human Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Room C128, Senate of Canada Building, with videoconference
Oct 09, 2024
06:50 PM ET
  • Paul Irngaut, Vice-President Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated
  • Dr. Wilton Littlechild, International Chief for Maskwacis (Hon) As an Individual
  • Itoah Scott-Enns, Director, Planning and Partnerships Tlicho Government
Room C128, Senate of Canada Building, with videoconference
Oct 08, 2024
09:05 AM ET
  • The Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould, P.C., President, JWR Business Group LTD, and former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada As an Individual
Room W120, 1 Wellington St., with videoconference*
Oct 02, 2024
06:45 PM ET
  • Natasha Beedie, Director, Rights & Governance Assembly of First Nations
  • Isaiah Bernard, Co-Chair Assembly of First Nations Youth Council
Room C128, Senate of Canada Building, with videoconference
Oct 01, 2024
09:00 AM ET
  • Bernadine Coleman, Councilor O’Chiese First Nation
  • Ivan Zinger, Correctional Investigator of Canada Office of the Correctional Investigator
Room C128, Senate of Canada Building, with videoconference
Sep 25, 2024
06:51 PM ET
  • Marjolaine Étienne, President Quebec Native Women Inc.
Room C128, Senate of Canada Building, with videoconference
May 28, 2024
09:00 AM ET
  • Merle Alexander, K.C., Principal, Miller Titerle As an Individual
  • Janice Makokis, Ianni Legal Scholar As an Individual
  • Cathy Merrick, Grand Chief Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs
Room C128, Senate of Canada Building, with videoconference
May 22, 2024
06:50 PM ET
  • Ken Coates, Professor, Indigenous Governance Program, Yukon University As an Individual
  • Brenda Gunn, Professor Indigenous Bar Association
  • Tuma Thomas William Young, K.C., Lawyer, Smith Law and Professor, L’nu Studies, Cape Breton University As an Individual
Room C128, Senate of Canada Building, with videoconference
May 21, 2024
09:01 AM ET
  • Neil Belanger, Chief Executive Officer Indigenous Disability Canada
  • Stephen Buffalo, President and Chief Executive Officer Indian Resource Council of Canada
  • Harold Calla, Executive Chair First Nations Financial Management Board
  • Matthew Foss, Vice-President, Research & Public Policy Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business
  • Marilee A. Nowgesic, Chief Executive Officer Canadian Indigenous Nurses Association
  • Merrell-Ann Phare, Executive Director Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources
Room C128, Senate of Canada Building, with videoconference
May 08, 2024
06:52 PM ET
  • Natalie Binguis, Director of Justice Research and Policy Nishnawbe Aski Nation
  • Michael Sherry, Legal Counsel Nishnawbe Aski Nation
Room C128, Senate of Canada Building, with videoconference
May 07, 2024
09:02 AM ET
  • Constant Awashish, Grand Chief Atikamekw Nation Council
  • Al Benoit, Chief of Staff Manitoba Métis Federation
  • David Chartrand, President Manitoba Métis Federation
  • Autumn Laing-LaRose, President, Métis Nation-Saskatchewan Provincial Métis Youth Council Métis National Youth Advisory Council
Room C128, Senate of Canada Building, with videoconference
May 01, 2024
06:50 PM ET
  • Cassidy Caron, President Métis National Council
  • John G. Paul, Executive Director Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs Secretariat
  • Marilyn Slett, Chief & Secretary-Treasurer Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs
  • Lisa J. Smith, Advisor to the President Native Women's Association of Canada
Room C128, Senate of Canada Building, with videoconference
Apr 17, 2024
06:45 PM ET
  • Kim Beaudin, National Vice-Chief Congress of Aboriginal Peoples
  • Kelly Benning, President National Association of Friendship Centres
  • Mandy Gull-Masty, Grand Chief Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee) and Cree Nation Government
  • Samantha Jack, Youth President National Association of Friendship Centres
  • Kara Louttit, Policy Analyst National Association of Friendship Centres
  • Charles Morven, Secretary-Treasurer Nisga’a Lisims Government
  • Elmer St. Pierre, National Chief Congress of Aboriginal Peoples
Room C128, Senate of Canada Building, with videoconference
Apr 16, 2024
09:00 AM ET
  • Will David, Director of Legal Affairs Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami
  • Nancy Etok, President Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada
  • Lara Koerner-Yeo, Associate, JFK Law LLP Assembly of First Nations
  • Natan Obed, President Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami
  • Terry Teegee, Regional Chief, British Columbia Assembly of First Nations
Room C128, Senate of Canada Building, with videoconference
Feb 28, 2024
06:45 PM ET
  • Jean-François Fortin, Associate Deputy Minister Department of Justice Canada
  • Valerie Gideon, Deputy Minister Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada
  • Stuart Hooft, Acting Director, Registration Reform, Individual Affairs Branch Indigenous Services Canada
  • Heather McLean, Assistant Deputy Minister, Implementation Sector Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada
  • Laurie Sargent, Assistant Deputy Minister, Indigenous Rights and Relations Portfolio Department of Justice Canada
  • Charles Slowey, Assistant Deputy Minister, Community and Identity Sector Canadian Heritage
  • Keith Smith, Director General, United Nations Declaration Act Implementation Secretariat Department of Justice Canada
  • Danielle White, Assistant Deputy Minister, Strategic Policy and Partnerships Sector Indigenous Services Canada
Room C128, Senate of Canada Building, with videoconference

Bill C-51, An Act to give effect to the self-government treaty recognizing the Whitecap Dakota Nation / Wapaha Ska Dakota Oyate and to make consequential amendments to other Acts

Order of Reference: 2023-06-20
Report(s):
  • Thirteenth Report: Bill C-51, An Act to give effect to the self-government treaty recognizing the Whitecap Dakota Nation / Wapaha Ska Dakota Oyate and to make consequential amendments to other Acts, without amendment

Date/Time Witnesses (7) Location Links/Notes
Jun 21, 2023
04:34 PM ET
Appearing
  • The Honourable Marc Miller, P.C., M.P., Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Crown-Indigenous Relations
Witnesses
  • Darcy Bear, Chief Whitecap Dakota First Nation
  • Dwayne Eagle, Councillor Whitecap Dakota First Nation
  • Maxime Faille, Legal Counsel Whitecap Dakota First Nation
  • Murray Long, Director of Self-Government Whitecap Dakota First Nation
  • Martin Reiher, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Treaties and Aboriginal Government Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada
  • Frank Royal, Councillor Whitecap Dakota First Nation
Room C128, Senate of Canada Building, with videoconference

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