THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON INDIGENOUS PEOPLES

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Wednesday, November 22, 2023
(67)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples met this day at 6:50 p.m., in room C128, Senate of Canada Building, the chair, the Honourable Brian Francis, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Arnot, Coyle, Francis, Hartling, Martin, Prosper and Sorensen (7).

Participating in the meeting: Sara Fryer and Robert Mason, analysts, Library of Parliament.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, October 26, 2023, the committee continued its examination of the federal government’s constitutional, treaty, political and legal responsibilities to First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples and any other subject concerning Indigenous Peoples. (Topic: Canadian Human Rights Framework)

WITNESSES:

The Native Women’s Shelter of Montreal:

Laura Aguiar, Iskweu Project Coordinator (by videoconference).

First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada:

Cindy Blackstock, Executive Director.

Indigenous Bar Association:

Krysia Przepiorka, Lawyer (by videoconference).

Heiltsuk Nation:

Maxwell Johnson, Member (by videoconference);

Maria Martin, Councillor, Heiltsuk Tribal Council (by videoconference).

Pekuakamiulnuatsh First Nation:

Patrick Courtois, Elected Counselor of the Pekuakamiulnuatsh First Nation of Mashteuiatsh (by videoconference).

Laura Aguiar, Cindy Blackstock and Krysia Przepiorka each made a statement and answered questions.

At 7:48 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 7:55 p.m., the committee resumed.

Maria Martin, Maxwell Johnson and Patrick Courtois each made a statement and answered questions.

At 8:46 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Andrea Mugny

Clerk of the Committee