Speaking Notes
for the Honourable Robert D. Nault, PC, MP
Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
On the Addition of New First Nations to
the Framework Agreement on First Nations Land Management Act
& First Nations Land Manageement Act
At the Canadian Museum of Civilization's Grand Hall

Gatineau, Quebec
March 31, 2003

Check against delivery

Thank you, Benoit. Greetings to all of you, and especially to Chief Louie and Chief Bear. I am delighted to join everyone to celebrate this momentous and historic occasion.

Today, 17 First Nations communities are taking a giant step toward self-determination and prosperity. By signing the Framework Agreement on First Nations Land Management—and being added to the schedule of the First Nations Land Management Act, which put into effect the Framework Agreement—these communities are re-establishing their authority to manage their lands and resources for the benefit of all members of their communities.

The First Nations participating in this historic Land Management Initiative have the opportunity to "opt out" of approximately 30 sections of the Indian Act. These First Nations will now be able to develop land codes, regulate zoning, and implement environmental laws and policies. Also, revenues generated by on-reserve resources—such as forests or leasing—now will flow directly to these First Nations, and will no longer be held in trust by the Government of Canada.

This Land Management Initiative also clarifies the legal status of Bands and Band Councils, granting First Nations the right to pass and enforce certain laws, and to negotiate binding agreements. By signing, a First Nation commits to developing a process to take legal control of its lands, and manage them in accordance with the wishes of its people.

Under this Land Management Initiative, members of a First Nation can create a Lands Advisory Committee to work with the community to develop laws, policies and advise Chief and Council of important land management matters.

The Lands Advisory Committee, as well as Chief and Council, will report annually to the members. This Initiative also stipulates that Band members who live both on and off reserve are eligible to vote and participate in the development and implementation of their land code.

In short, this Land Management Initiative provides a First Nation access to the tools a community needs to harness its natural resources, develop its economy and improve its infrastructure. Key decisions are made by the people most familiar with—and most affected by—local issues. I'm convinced that this process will lead to improvements in land and resource management, environmental protection, and quality of life for these First Nations.

I find two aspects of this Land Management Initiative especially pleasing. First, it's been a success for each of the First Nations that are already operating under their land codes. And second, from the outset, it has been led and developed by Aboriginal leaders.

The story behind the initiative helps explain both the nature of the agreement and its effectiveness. It began in the early 1990s with Chief Robert Louie of Westbank First Nation, who I will have the pleasure of introducing in a few moments.

Westbank lies adjacent to Kelowna, one the fastest-growing cities in North America. Thousands of people have flocked to the region during the past two decades, drawn by its spectacular beauty, mild climate and booming economy. Not surprisingly, Kelowna's prosperity has exerted a significant influence on Westbank.

Rising land prices in the city have led many people to lease land from the First Nation. Today, Westbank is one of British Columbia's busiest landlords, administering thousands of leases each year.

Chief Louie recognized that being a landlord was both a blessing and a curse for his community. On the one hand, lease agreements generated revenues that helped the Band prosper. On the other, administering leases under the Indian Act was unnecessarily time consuming and involved a considerable amount of red tape, because under the Indian Act, the Government of Canada was a party to every lease.

The Chief would look at the mountain of paperwork in the Band office and shake his head. Surely, he thought, there must be a better way. Thankfully, Chief Louie was determined to find it.

With the help of many First Nations leaders, such as Chief Austin Bear, Chief William McCue, Chief Bill Williams, Rennie Goose and others before you today, Chief Louie's idea grew into a landmark agreement eventually signed by 14 First Nations and then Minister of Indian Affairs Ronald Irwin at the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation in 1996.

The success experienced by the inaugural signatories inspired the Chiefs and myself, on behalf of the Government of Canada, to open the Land Management Initiative to additional interested First Nations. Today, representatives of 17 First Nations have come together to be added as signatories on behalf of their communities.

And many more are preparing to join them. The Band Councils of more than 50 First Nations have passed resolutions indicating their interest to sign the agreement.

The Land Management Initiative is popular because it enables a First Nation to control its destiny. By instituting a legal and democratic mechanism to plan and control land use, the agreement allows a First Nation to develop its community the way they see fit.

What's perhaps most impressive about the agreement is how it enables First Nations to benefit regardless of location, size or resource base. Urban, rural, small, large—any First Nation can use the agreement as an instrument of economic and social development.

Muskoday First Nation in Saskatchewan, under the leadership of Chief Austin Bear, for instance, has long relied on income from agricultural leases. With the Land Management Initiative, Muskoday is now contemplating the construction of commercial and industrial parks, and the expansion of the combination gas bar/convenience store/restaurant on Highway 3. There's also word that a big-box retail outlet may set up in Muskoday.

McLeod Lake First Nation, on the other hand, is an isolated community far from a major highway. Community leaders are keen to use the agreement to develop a tourism industry and enable the main employer in the community—Duz Cho Logging—to expand its operations. This Band-owned company hopes to create additional employment by milling the timber it harvests. McLeod Lake has already ratified its land code, the first of these new adherents to the Land Management Initiative to do so.

Westbank First Nation, which continues to generate a great deal of money through leases, hopes to diversify the local economy. Westbank would like to attract manufacturers that can provide employment and training opportunities to Band members.

Under the Lands Management Initiative, Westbank's Land Management Board acquired legal status, and is now free to negotiate binding contracts directly with private-sector companies.

The Lands Management Initiative also helps First Nations protect their lands for future generations. The Chippewas of Georgina Island, under the leadership of Chief William McCue, have renegotiated approximately 300 long-term cottage leases on Snake Island in Lake Simcoe, just north of Toronto, that include improved environmental standards.

The Land Management Initiative enables First Nations to address the controversial issue of matrimonial property rights. Until now, the legal title to an on-reserve matrimonial home has been unclear. As a result, marriage breakdowns have often led to unnecessary hardship, particularly for children. For the first time in history, First Nations can acquire the right to address this situation according to the wishes of their communities.

And I believe the phrase "according to the wishes of the community" captures the essence of this Land Management Initiative. By placing control in communities—where it belongs—the initiative becomes an effective tool of governance and a powerful instrument for economic and social development.

I'm proud to see that First Nations are already using their own land codes to manage their own lands, natural resources and revenues in a way that works best for them. I'm convinced that this is precisely the approach that will strengthen their communities and provide a bright future for their children. And I'm also convinced that all Canadians will reap the benefits of self-sufficient, prosperous First Nations communities.

To the First Nations that are signing the Framework Agreement today, I want to congratulate you, and wish you the best of luck. Like you, I am optimistic about what you can achieve with this agreement, yet I also recognize the amount of work that lies ahead for you, your Band Councils, and your communities.

I am proud to support this historic partnership on behalf of the Government of Canada and I want to encourage you to continue your best efforts. I am confident that you'll meet each and every challenge that lies before you.

Now I'd like to introduce the two Chiefs who are the most responsible for the agreement we have gathered here to celebrate, Chief Robert Louie and Chief Austin Bear.

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