... and we secured agreement that all aboriginal peoples, including non-status and off-reserve Indians, and Metis, would be able to access the process for negotiating self-government agreements. This means that no matter where they live, whether in Rainbow Valley, or downtown Toronto, we will be able to negotiate arrangement which will let us assume control of our lives.
In addition, we also secured an agreement to amend section 91.24, to make it clear that Ottawa's fiduciary obligations apply to all aboriginal peoples, not just status Indians living on reserves. This makes it clear that Metis are included under federal jurisdiction. The inclusion of these various equity of access clauses represents a break through for non-status and off-reserve peoples, as well as for Metis. In terms of historic significance, we think these provisions can be likened to the breaking down of the Berlin Wall, to the extent that they will mean the removal of artificial barriers that have stood in the way of peoples' right to self-determination.
If these proposed amendments are ratified by the Canadian public in the upcoming referendum, as well as by parliament, and the required Legislatures. We feel it will be the end of an era of Canadian history that has been marked by discrimination and dishonour. If the Charlottetown Accord passes, it will be the dawn of a new era for Canada, characterized by unity, and hope. In addition to the substantive gains that have been made, we think that important lessons have been learned from the process we have all just gone through. While public opinion helped to get our issues on the agenda for this round of talks, I do not think there is any question that one of the reasons we were able to conclude such an expansive agreement was because we were in the room to negotiate.
Our inclusion in the multilateral negotiations was unprecedented, and I do not think we left any doubt that we belong there. When we look back over the weeks of direct negotiations that took place, it is possible to recall literally hundreds of points where one government or another had some questions, concern, or problem with one or another of our positions. If we had not been in the room to hear these concerns, and address them as they arose, the entire aboriginal agenda could have run aground on any one of them, and ended up going nowhere. By being in the room, we were able to hear precisely what the problems were, explain ourselves more fully, and come up with some specific ways of dealing with the problem. Had we not been in the room, none of this could have happened, and no deal would have been reached. The lesson is that including people works. It does not interfere with the process, it improves it, and the end results are better.
Looking ahead, the Native Council will be developing tools which will help its constituents answer the question, "where do we go from here?"
I would like to table with you today one such document which the N.C.C. commissioned a few months ago. It is titled, "Self-Government for Aboriginal Peoples Living in Urban Areas." It was done by a couple of academics from the Institute of Intergovernmental Affairs at Queens University. Basically what it does is it tries to identify the questions that are going to have to be asked by anyone wanting to exercise self-government outside of a reserve situation. As much as possible, it also attempts to identify the options and response to each question, at least to the extent to which they can be known at this date. That is what the N.C.C. sees as its role in the future. We have done the political and legal work to have the rights of non-status and off-reserve peoples recognized. From now on, our job will be to provide support to those people, so they can exercise those rights on the ground in whatever way meets their particular needs.
Here in the Northwest Territories, we will continue to work with the Metis Nation, and anyone else who is interested in drawing upon us. We will do research that will help people identify the possibilities for themselves in various situations across the country. We will develop "How To" manuals to help them get started, and we will continue to reach out to non-aboriginal Canadians, so they feel they know what is happening around them, and remain supportive of it.
Thank you once again for your invitation, and I would be happy to answer any particular questions you may have about the N.C.C., and its position.
I would also like to table a copy of our Parallel Process Report that was conducted last spring, as well as a brief information sheet on the Native Council itself. Thank you.
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