THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON ABORIGINAL PEOPLES

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Monday, April 25, 2022
(5)

[English]

Pursuant to the order of the Senate of March 31, 2022, the Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples met this day in room C128, Senate of Canada Building, and with videoconference, at 2 p.m. ET, the chair, the Honourable Brian Francis, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Arnot, Audette, Clement, Coyle, Francis and Patterson (6).

Members of the committee present by videoconference: The Honourable Senators Brazeau, Christmas, Hartling and Tannas (4).

Participating in the meeting: Sara Gajic, Legislative Clerk and Lori Meldrum, Administrative Assistant, Committees Directorate; Brittany Collier and Sara Fryer, analysts, Library of Parliament.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, March 3, 2022, the committee continued its examination on the federal government’s constitutional, treaty, political and legal responsibilities to First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples and any other subject concerning Indigenous Peoples. (Topic: The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls)

WITNESSES (by videoconference):

Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami:

Natan Obed, President.

Métis National Council:

Cassidy Caron, President.

Assembly of First Nations:

Brenda Vanguard, Women’s Council Representative;

Julie McGregor, Director, Justice Sector.

As individuals:

Denise Pictou Maloney;

Jana Schulz;

Nancy Jourdain.

Nancy Jourdain and Denise Pictou Maloney each made a statement.

At 2:11 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 2:17 p.m., the committee resumed.

Jana Schulz and Denis Pictou Maloney each made a statement.

At 2:23 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 2:27 p.m., the committee resumed.

Nancy Jourdain, Denise Pictou Maloney and Jana Schulz answered questions.

At 3 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 3:03 p.m., the committee resumed.

Cassidy Caron made a statement.

At 3:08 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 3:10 p.m., the committee resumed.

Natan Obed, Brenda Vanguard and Cassidy Caron each made a statement and, together with Julie MacGregor, answered questions.

At 4 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Andrea Mugny

Clerk of the Committee