Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Aboriginal Peoples
Issue 12 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Wednesday, November 4, 1998
(20)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples met at 4:41 p.m., in camera, this day, in Room 160-S Centre Block, the Chairman, the Honourable Senator Watt, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Berntson, Chalifoux, Gill, St. Germain, P.C. and Watt (6).
In attendance: From the Library of Parliament: Jill Wherrett
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, December 9, 1997, the committee began its examination on aboriginal self-government.
The committee undertook discussion of its future business.
With respect to the discussion paper for the special study on aboriginal governance, after discussion the Honourable Senator Andreychuk proposed that, the discussion paper be approved as recommended by the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure, subject to changes proposed by members of the committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
With respect to the establishment of the Round Table, after discussion it was agreed that the Round Table be composed of two representatives from each of the following organizations:
the Assembly of First Nations;
the Inuit Tapirisat of Canada;
the Métis National Council;
the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples; and
the Native Women's Association of Canada.
It was furthermore agreed that the Round Table should meet as needed to discuss issues raised during committee hearings.
With respect to the payment of the travelling expenses of the elders participating in the Round Table, it was agreed that the Chairman address a letter to the Minister of Indian Affairs to provide funding to cover the travel expenses of the hereditary and traditional leader participating in the Round Table. If the Minister does not provide such funding, the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure will be required to make a recommendation to the committee on this matter.
The Honourable Senator St. Germain moved that
To assist in fulfilling the order of reference from the Senate to carry out a study of aboriginal governance, be it resolved that the Senate Standing Committee on Aboriginal Peoples establish a Round Table on Governance, composed of members of the Senate Standing Committee on Aboriginal Peoples and representatives of national aboriginal organizations and traditional and hereditary leaders.
All members of the Standing Committee on aboriginal Peoples may participate in the Round Table. Meetings of the Round Table will require a quorum of three Senate members, one of whom must be a government member and one of whom must be an opposition member.
The Steering Committee of the Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples will invite members of Aboriginal organizations and traditional and hereditary leaders to be members of the Round Table. The Assembly of First Nations, the Métis National Council, the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples, and the Inuit Tapirisat of Canada will each be allocated two seats each on the Round Table and the Native Women's Association of Canada will be allocated one seat. Three seats will be reserved for traditional and hereditary leaders, including one for clan mothers, for a total of 12 non-Senate seats on the Round Table.
The Round Table will serve as a body for open dialogue and exchange of ideas regarding aboriginal governance. Its work may include a review of briefs and other material submitted to the standing committee, and discussion papers, reports and other documents produced by the standing committee. To permit an open exchange, meetings of the Round Table will be held in camera. All participants in the Round Table will have an equal role in its work. The Round Table will offer advice and guidance and make recommendations to the Senate Standing Committee on Aboriginal Peoples. Any recommendation made to the standing committee will be based on a consensus of members of the Round Table. Any organization will have the right to opt out of a decision or recommendation on a particular issue.
Following meetings of the Round Table, the Round Table will report to the Senate Standing Committee on Aboriginal Peoples on its work. The Round Table will function from October 1, 1998 to September 30, 1999.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
At 5:20 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Wednesday, November 4, 1998
(21)
The Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples, met at 5:57 p.m., this day, in Room 160-S Centre Block, the Chairman, the Honourable Senator Watt, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Adams, Berntson, Chalifoux and Watt (4).
M.P.'s present: Mike Scott, John Finlay, Gerald Geddy
In attendance: From the Library of Parliament: Jill Wherrett
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, December 9, 1997, the committee continued its examination of aboriginal self-government.
WITNESSES:
From the Campbell River First Nations:
Chief John Henderson.
From the Native Brotherhood of B.C.:
Christine Hunt, First Vice President.
From Laxgal'Sap Nisga'a Fishersmen's Commission:
Chief Hubert Haldane.
From the Kwaitul First Nation:
Chief Alfred Hunt.
From the Allied Tribes Tsimshian Nation:
Victor Kelly, Spokesperson.
From Gitxsan Wet'suwet'en:
Richard Morgan.
From Namgis First Nations:
Greg Wadhams, Councillor.
From the United Fishermen and Allied Workers' Union:
John Radosevic, President.
Christine Hunt and Chief John Henderson, Greg Wadhams, Victor Kelly, Richard Morgan, Hubert Haldane, and Alfred Hunt made a presentation and answered questions from members of the committee.
At 7:12 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
Tõnu Onu
Clerk of the Committee