Thank you, everyone, for being here. Let me get things started by introducing my companions at the table:

• Robert Louis, Chair of the Lands Advisory Board;


• Chief Austin Bear, Muskoday First Nation;


• Chief Barry Seymour, Lheidli T’enneh First Nation;


• Chief Bill McCue, Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation


• Chief Joe Miskokomon, Chippewas of the Thames;


• Chief Donna Renneberg, Kinisten First Nation;


• Chief Darcy Bear, Whitecap Dakota Sioux First Nation;


• Chief Alex Chingee, Macleod Lake First Nation;


• Chief Allan L. Claxton, Tsawout First Nation;

I’m here today to announce that the government is opening up the First Nations Land Management Act. The Act is one of the most successful steps that we have taken in the last few years, and the rush to join shows just how successful this step has been. Over 50 First Nations have passed Band Council resolutions indicating they also want to work within this framework.

The Land Management Act is one of those quiet success stories. It started in 1996 with consultation and then the Government of Canada signed a framework agreement on land management with 14 First Nations across the country.

The principles in that agreement became the basis for the First Nations Land Management Act, which received Royal Assent in 1999.

This legislation gave these 14 First Nations the option of operating—in matters of land management—under their own land code instead of the Indian Act. It re-establishes one of the most important powers any government can hold: land management.

You can’t run a government if there is no mechanism to plan how the community will use its land.

This Act re-establishes the tools First Nations need to manage their own lands, their own resources and their own revenues, in their own way.

Every level of government takes this for granted. The Indian Act doesn’t meet the test. The First Nations Land Management Act puts it where belongs—in the hands of Chief and Council. It is clearly one the key tools of governance.

This step also shortens the distance to self-government. First Nations under the Indian Act making the transition to self-government have to negotiate land-use planning. A community under the FNLMA comes to the table with most of these issues sorted out.

As you know, you won’t find too many people in this country who are bigger fans—of getting First Nations, who want to get out from under the Indian Act, out from under that Act—than me.
Let me be clear. This is the Government of Canada meeting our Throne Speech commitments. This is the Government of Canada honouring our commitment to self-government. The FNLMA ensures that land decisions are made by the community.

It means that the community has the right tools to attract investment from the outside. And where there is investment, there is opportunity.

Where there is opportunity, the community can break the cycle of poverty, create hope, and focus on building the quality of life that many of us take for granted.

Now we have over 50 First Nations who want to come on board, four of whom have completed the transition phase, and are here with us today.

Today I am announcing that we will open the Act to 30 First Nations every two years.
At this pace, we will be sure that those who come under the Act have the resources they need, and can benefit fully from the experience of other First Nations who are already there.

It is now my great pleasure to turn the microphone over to Mr. Robert Louie, Chair of the Lands Advisory Board.

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