Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Thank you for the question. It is remarkable to me how little time and space has been spent defining aboriginal rights through a legislative agenda. Aboriginal rights have only been defined by the courts. Courts have, by degrees, expanded the principle and concept of aboriginal rights after conflict between first nations, Métis or Inuit, and federal or provincial governments.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Thank you for the kind words. Aboriginal rights in this country are very limited and very narrow. Section 35 aboriginal rights afford us the ability to do what—to hunt, fish and gather? That is not the conception of rights that indigenous people had in mind when our ancestors agreed to share the land with Canadians.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Yes, I can try to answer. The additions to reserve policy, in particular, has been criticized pretty roundly at this committee. I think people take a lot of issue with the length that it takes to add fee-simple land to reserve status. I think it's costly. I think there are the negotiations that have to take place with municipalities.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Thank you. Aaniin, boozhoo kina weyaa. My name is Hayden King. I'm from Beausoleil First Nation on Gchi'mnissing, which is a small island Indian reserve, an Ojibwa and Potawatomi community, about two hours north of Toronto by car and by boat. I am also the executive director of the Yellowhead Institute, which is a research and education centre based out of the Toronto Metropolitan University in Toronto.