WEBVTT 00:00:00.170 --> 00:00:03.049 Welcome to Drumbeats, the must -listen -to podcast 00:00:03.049 --> 00:00:05.710 which explains why Indigenous partnerships are 00:00:05.710 --> 00:00:08.689 the key to securing successful outcomes in natural 00:00:08.689 --> 00:00:11.070 resource and infrastructure investment in Canada. 00:00:12.669 --> 00:00:15.189 I'm Mark McNack and my co -host Robert Branton 00:00:15.189 --> 00:00:18.109 are joined today by Senator P .J. Prosper, a 00:00:18.109 --> 00:00:20.670 proud Mi 'kmaq lawyer representing Nova Scotia, 00:00:20.690 --> 00:00:23.670 Mi 'kma 'ki. He served as chief for his home 00:00:23.670 --> 00:00:28.030 community of Buckingham and later as AFN regional 00:00:28.030 --> 00:00:30.710 chief for Nova Scotia and Newfoundland prior 00:00:30.710 --> 00:00:34.549 to his appointment to the Senate in 2023. He 00:00:34.549 --> 00:00:36.590 has just released the First Nations priorities 00:00:36.590 --> 00:00:38.950 for the first 100 days of the new parliament, 00:00:39.250 --> 00:00:42.450 priorities that he believes can reasonably be 00:00:42.450 --> 00:00:44.689 executed in that time and which align with the 00:00:44.689 --> 00:00:47.049 priorities of recently elected Prime Minister 00:00:47.049 --> 00:00:50.880 Mark Carney. These initiatives are also outlined 00:00:50.880 --> 00:00:53.759 in his report, Reconciliaction, which is the 00:00:53.759 --> 00:00:56.979 result of a 2024 listening tour that Senator 00:00:56.979 --> 00:00:59.119 Prosper launched throughout the Mi 'kmaq traditional 00:00:59.119 --> 00:01:03.140 territory known as Mi 'kma 'ki. During this unique 00:01:03.140 --> 00:01:05.819 endeavor, he met with over 1 ,700 individuals 00:01:05.819 --> 00:01:09.239 across the region. This territory stretches from 00:01:09.239 --> 00:01:12.019 Newfoundland to the Gasp region of Quebec. It 00:01:12.019 --> 00:01:14.480 includes the entirety of Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, 00:01:14.500 --> 00:01:16.659 and Prince Edward Island, as well as parts of 00:01:16.659 --> 00:01:21.530 New Brunswick and Quebec. Good day and welcome, 00:01:21.709 --> 00:01:24.849 Senator Paul, sometimes known as PJ Prosper. 00:01:25.950 --> 00:01:28.730 It's good to see you. Thanks for joining us. 00:01:28.870 --> 00:01:33.349 Real pleasure to have you with us. Yes, a real 00:01:33.349 --> 00:01:35.730 honor to have you as Senator. You're the first 00:01:35.730 --> 00:01:39.209 Senator we've had on our program. And you're 00:01:39.209 --> 00:01:43.489 one of the first, I think, Indigenous Senators 00:01:43.489 --> 00:01:50.629 in Senate in Canada. Happy to be here and glad 00:01:50.629 --> 00:01:56.230 we were able to connect earlier. Great. Senator, 00:01:56.390 --> 00:01:58.629 maybe we'll start a little bit about your own 00:01:58.629 --> 00:02:03.030 personal background. And we can start from the 00:02:03.030 --> 00:02:05.469 beginning. I think you're speaking to us today 00:02:05.469 --> 00:02:09.449 from your home community and growing up on the 00:02:09.449 --> 00:02:13.770 east coast of Canada and now today sitting in 00:02:13.770 --> 00:02:17.449 the Senate in Ottawa. What did that journey look 00:02:17.449 --> 00:02:22.650 like? Wow, quite a journey. As you mentioned, 00:02:22.770 --> 00:02:28.270 I am here in my home community, Mi 'kmaq community 00:02:28.270 --> 00:02:33.509 called Bukhne Mi 'kmaq Nation here in Nova Scotia. 00:02:33.669 --> 00:02:40.530 And I was born and raised here. And I grew up 00:02:40.530 --> 00:02:45.539 in a family of 14. Anne Prosper, my mother, who 00:02:45.539 --> 00:02:50.159 was a single mother, raised us all. And it was 00:02:50.159 --> 00:02:54.960 an incredible experience. Later, as many do, 00:02:55.139 --> 00:02:59.300 we leave communities and we seek out education. 00:02:59.300 --> 00:03:04.819 So I went to Sydney, which is in Cape Breton, 00:03:04.900 --> 00:03:08.800 at University College Cape Breton. That's what 00:03:08.800 --> 00:03:11.180 it was called then. Now it's Cape Breton University. 00:03:12.400 --> 00:03:15.900 I got an undergraduate degree, a Bachelor of 00:03:15.900 --> 00:03:19.979 Arts, and then later went to Dalhousie Law School 00:03:19.979 --> 00:03:24.759 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and got my law degree, 00:03:24.939 --> 00:03:32.439 was called to the bar in 1995. And since then, 00:03:32.460 --> 00:03:37.689 I have worked for... Many organizations in Nova 00:03:37.689 --> 00:03:41.129 Scotia, Mi 'kmaq organizations, doing a variety 00:03:41.129 --> 00:03:46.849 of things, claims, research, legal advisory services, 00:03:47.150 --> 00:03:55.129 litigation. Later, I sort of decided to take 00:03:55.129 --> 00:03:58.669 on more of a political role, so I was elected 00:03:58.669 --> 00:04:05.500 chief in my community of Bakunke. Back in 2013 00:04:05.500 --> 00:04:15.840 and seven years later, I was elected by the chiefs 00:04:15.840 --> 00:04:19.920 of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland to be their regional 00:04:19.920 --> 00:04:22.279 chief with the Assembly of First Nations. So 00:04:22.279 --> 00:04:28.240 I was essentially a chief for chiefs and did 00:04:28.240 --> 00:04:36.019 that for a number of years. In 2013, I was appointed 00:04:36.019 --> 00:04:42.019 to the Senate, and so I'm in my second year, 00:04:42.199 --> 00:04:48.019 and it has been quite an experience. Can I hear 00:04:48.019 --> 00:04:51.560 more about your mother, who raised as a single 00:04:51.560 --> 00:05:00.379 mother? Yeah, yeah, no, I mean... An incredible 00:05:00.379 --> 00:05:03.139 upbringing. My father died when I was two, Wilford 00:05:03.139 --> 00:05:07.920 Prosper. So my mother was essentially my mother 00:05:07.920 --> 00:05:13.660 and father and raised us all. She had some basic 00:05:13.660 --> 00:05:18.459 rules. You go to school. If you don't go to school, 00:05:18.579 --> 00:05:23.040 you go to work. And if you don't do either of 00:05:23.040 --> 00:05:28.250 those two things, you're out the door. So it 00:05:28.250 --> 00:05:31.410 was an incredible time. I mean, it was humble 00:05:31.410 --> 00:05:36.290 beginnings, as was with most families within 00:05:36.290 --> 00:05:39.790 the community. But she was a highly respected 00:05:39.790 --> 00:05:44.470 person within the community and helped many in 00:05:44.470 --> 00:05:50.050 addition to a number of, you know, she took in 00:05:50.050 --> 00:05:54.519 people from the community as well. and considered 00:05:54.519 --> 00:05:58.740 them part of our family. So, incredible experience. 00:05:58.939 --> 00:06:04.980 I really feel good and appreciate that sort of 00:06:04.980 --> 00:06:08.379 background. Wow. Sounds like that was a bit of 00:06:08.379 --> 00:06:13.720 a model for you of service. Absolutely. I must 00:06:13.720 --> 00:06:19.120 admit that there have been a lot of Mi 'kmaq 00:06:19.120 --> 00:06:22.199 women that played an important role in my life. 00:06:22.800 --> 00:06:27.439 At different times, and certainly Mi 'kmaq men 00:06:27.439 --> 00:06:31.759 as well, but I think Mi 'kmaq women have played 00:06:31.759 --> 00:06:35.879 a much more significant role in just helping 00:06:35.879 --> 00:06:40.740 me and guiding me along the way, which, you know, 00:06:40.779 --> 00:06:43.860 I really appreciate it. Wow, that's great to 00:06:43.860 --> 00:06:47.819 hear. And maybe bring us up to date then, your 00:06:47.819 --> 00:06:51.100 Senate experience of a couple of years. That 00:06:51.100 --> 00:06:55.319 sounds like a new... a new chapter for you? It 00:06:55.319 --> 00:07:00.500 is a new chapter. It's a new experience for many. 00:07:00.639 --> 00:07:04.180 I'm sure when people start out in life, they 00:07:04.180 --> 00:07:07.040 don't automatically say, I'm going to become 00:07:07.040 --> 00:07:11.720 a senator. It's something that just happens. 00:07:13.500 --> 00:07:17.560 Maybe first explain for our listeners and viewers 00:07:17.560 --> 00:07:22.699 outside of Canada how the Canadian Senate and 00:07:22.699 --> 00:07:28.079 what its function is in Parliament. It's known 00:07:28.079 --> 00:07:32.000 as the upper chamber or the chamber of a sober 00:07:32.000 --> 00:07:38.600 second thought. There are 105 senators appointed 00:07:38.600 --> 00:07:40.959 throughout various regions throughout Canada, 00:07:41.160 --> 00:07:43.920 10 of which are from Nova Scotia. So I'm one 00:07:43.920 --> 00:07:49.370 of 10 Nova Scotia senators. We are appointed 00:07:49.370 --> 00:07:54.209 by the Governor General with advice from the 00:07:54.209 --> 00:07:58.889 Prime Minister. And there's a selection committee 00:07:58.889 --> 00:08:05.310 that vets proposed applicants and felt quite 00:08:05.310 --> 00:08:08.829 fortunate to be successful in my bid through 00:08:08.829 --> 00:08:13.519 that process. I owe a lot to... Former Senator 00:08:13.519 --> 00:08:16.740 Danny Christmas, who was the first Mi 'kmaq senator 00:08:16.740 --> 00:08:20.459 appointed to the Senate. He was a long -term 00:08:20.459 --> 00:08:24.759 mentor of mine. And for the most part, this wasn't 00:08:24.759 --> 00:08:27.560 on my radar. I never thought of it. I sort of 00:08:27.560 --> 00:08:29.560 was always involved on the other side of the 00:08:29.560 --> 00:08:34.059 table, you know, with government, you know, in 00:08:34.059 --> 00:08:38.450 terms of negotiations and discussions. There 00:08:38.450 --> 00:08:41.529 was an opportunity when I was before Senate committee. 00:08:42.230 --> 00:08:45.110 I believe we were talking about child welfare. 00:08:45.470 --> 00:08:48.429 I've been before that committee a number of times. 00:08:49.409 --> 00:08:53.750 And it just so happened to be chaired by then 00:08:53.750 --> 00:08:57.789 -Senator Danny Christmas. And I don't know what 00:08:57.789 --> 00:09:02.169 it was. Something clicked. And it got me to think 00:09:02.169 --> 00:09:06.559 about that being a possibility to help. advance 00:09:06.559 --> 00:09:11.019 Indigenous issues across this country. And so 00:09:11.019 --> 00:09:13.080 you're appointed. How many Indigenous senators 00:09:13.080 --> 00:09:17.879 are there today out of the 105? I think there 00:09:17.879 --> 00:09:21.240 is approximately 11 senators who are Indigenous 00:09:21.240 --> 00:09:27.700 of different nations, certainly some Métis as 00:09:27.700 --> 00:09:33.059 well, Inuit as well. So it's an incredible group 00:09:33.059 --> 00:09:36.740 and we try to support. one another when we can. 00:09:38.820 --> 00:09:41.759 Talk a little bit about a listening tour you've 00:09:41.759 --> 00:09:44.600 done, which is a great example of how a senator 00:09:44.600 --> 00:09:48.340 stays connected with those they represent, as 00:09:48.340 --> 00:09:50.960 well as all Canadians. Would you like to talk 00:09:50.960 --> 00:09:53.100 a little bit about, explain to our listeners 00:09:53.100 --> 00:09:55.539 over here in the UK about your listening tour 00:09:55.539 --> 00:09:59.379 and some of the key issues that you found? Sure. 00:10:00.980 --> 00:10:06.570 Well, there's no real instruction book for senators 00:10:06.570 --> 00:10:11.110 when they undertake their roles and duties. We 00:10:11.110 --> 00:10:15.429 are parliamentarians and we do have core functions, 00:10:15.730 --> 00:10:19.330 which is sort of the meat and potatoes of what 00:10:19.330 --> 00:10:22.909 we do. We sit on committees, Senate committees. 00:10:23.070 --> 00:10:27.250 I previously sat on the Indigenous Peoples Committee. 00:10:28.179 --> 00:10:31.679 Also, given my legal background, I sat on the 00:10:31.679 --> 00:10:34.860 Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee. So 00:10:34.860 --> 00:10:38.899 the objective of those committees is to study 00:10:38.899 --> 00:10:45.059 and hopefully improve proposed legislation in 00:10:45.059 --> 00:10:48.919 the form of bills. Usually a lot of these bills 00:10:48.919 --> 00:10:54.720 come from the House of Commons. But we do have 00:10:54.720 --> 00:10:58.059 occasion to have and bring forward Senate bills. 00:10:58.080 --> 00:11:02.440 bills as well so that's a major component where 00:11:02.440 --> 00:11:07.580 we invite witnesses experts on various subject 00:11:07.580 --> 00:11:12.980 matters to provide evidence in committee a lot 00:11:12.980 --> 00:11:18.039 of it is generated through questions and so you 00:11:18.039 --> 00:11:21.080 know if you're interested in a particular subject 00:11:21.080 --> 00:11:24.799 matter of a bill and how you know, discussions 00:11:24.799 --> 00:11:27.779 took place in committee on that. You can certainly 00:11:27.779 --> 00:11:31.259 go into the transcript or look it up on video. 00:11:31.340 --> 00:11:34.919 Everything is part of the official record. So 00:11:34.919 --> 00:11:38.100 whether you like it or not, when you speak, there 00:11:38.100 --> 00:11:41.960 is a transcript, there is a video, and it's translated 00:11:41.960 --> 00:11:47.600 into official languages. So that's a core feature, 00:11:47.879 --> 00:11:52.159 committee work. Another core feature is General 00:11:52.159 --> 00:11:55.960 work within the chamber itself. So there's a 00:11:55.960 --> 00:11:59.120 number of things you can do by way of speaking 00:11:59.120 --> 00:12:02.240 on specific matters. It could relate to certain 00:12:02.240 --> 00:12:06.379 bills, certain actions of government, things 00:12:06.379 --> 00:12:09.220 you want to bring forward to the attention of 00:12:09.220 --> 00:12:12.860 parliamentarians. You can ask questions and government 00:12:12.860 --> 00:12:16.039 is obligated to answer, provide answers to those 00:12:16.039 --> 00:12:21.289 questions. So it's a real fascinating experience 00:12:21.289 --> 00:12:24.549 to experience that. And of course, it works in 00:12:24.549 --> 00:12:28.049 tandem with the House of Commons because the 00:12:28.049 --> 00:12:31.710 bill has to pass both houses, the House of Commons 00:12:31.710 --> 00:12:34.690 and the Senate, in order to become a valid law. 00:12:35.190 --> 00:12:39.350 And Senator, is the Senate organized along party 00:12:39.350 --> 00:12:43.190 lines? And so would the Senate be expected to 00:12:43.190 --> 00:12:47.440 have a majority of senators? from the governing 00:12:47.440 --> 00:12:51.879 party at any one time? That's a very good question. 00:12:52.320 --> 00:12:54.440 There were certainly, through the history of 00:12:54.440 --> 00:12:59.100 the Senate, it was very partisan along party 00:12:59.100 --> 00:13:07.480 lines. And with then Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, 00:13:07.500 --> 00:13:12.500 he essentially wanted to put in place a nonpartisan 00:13:12.500 --> 00:13:17.789 Senate. So at the time, he removed all the senators 00:13:17.789 --> 00:13:21.529 out of the Liberal caucus, where they used to 00:13:21.529 --> 00:13:23.750 meet jointly with the members of Parliament. 00:13:24.970 --> 00:13:30.830 And what that caused was senators to become more 00:13:30.830 --> 00:13:35.990 independent. But there is a caucus, the Conservative 00:13:35.990 --> 00:13:40.350 caucus, that exists within the Senate, but that's 00:13:40.350 --> 00:13:45.649 the only partisan group. And so a lot of the 00:13:45.649 --> 00:13:49.090 work of the Senate is organized through various 00:13:49.090 --> 00:13:53.929 groups. So when you're first appointed as a senator, 00:13:54.090 --> 00:13:59.950 you're unaffiliated as a senator, meaning you're 00:13:59.950 --> 00:14:03.409 not part of a specific group. And a lot of new 00:14:03.409 --> 00:14:06.690 senators who are appointed and are unaffiliated 00:14:06.690 --> 00:14:11.690 automatically take the time to consider if they 00:14:11.690 --> 00:14:14.759 want to join a group. which group. There's often 00:14:14.759 --> 00:14:17.480 negotiations and discussions with these groups 00:14:17.480 --> 00:14:21.480 and these new senators to join their group. And 00:14:21.480 --> 00:14:24.519 the way I sort of relate that is you almost feel 00:14:24.519 --> 00:14:26.639 like an orphan if you're not part of a group, 00:14:26.679 --> 00:14:31.539 because a lot of the key decision making and 00:14:31.539 --> 00:14:35.019 committee work and appointments and participation 00:14:35.019 --> 00:14:38.139 in committees, things speaking in the chamber. 00:14:38.960 --> 00:14:42.600 is largely negotiated through these Senate groups. 00:14:43.080 --> 00:14:46.379 So there's various leaders of these groups that 00:14:46.379 --> 00:14:51.100 come together and they negotiate on specific 00:14:51.100 --> 00:14:54.580 bills, priorities, who's going to speak, what 00:14:54.580 --> 00:14:58.200 issues go forward. And I'm not going to say it 00:14:58.200 --> 00:15:02.220 all happens all nice and fun. All of these are 00:15:02.220 --> 00:15:07.129 at times difficult negotiations. Such is the 00:15:07.129 --> 00:15:11.269 nature of politics sometimes. You've got a relatively 00:15:11.269 --> 00:15:14.889 new experience in the Senate, but longer time 00:15:14.889 --> 00:15:19.490 in Indigenous politics. Have you noticed any 00:15:19.490 --> 00:15:22.789 differences that you're prepared to talk about? 00:15:23.889 --> 00:15:27.070 Well, it's interesting because it is a bigger, 00:15:27.330 --> 00:15:32.210 there's a lot more machinery in Ottawa. And to 00:15:32.210 --> 00:15:34.889 be a parliamentarian, you have to be in Ottawa. 00:15:35.690 --> 00:15:38.990 And you have to participate within the parliamentary 00:15:38.990 --> 00:15:43.730 system and processes. And that is something that 00:15:43.730 --> 00:15:49.850 you need to climatize to. I'm very fortunate 00:15:49.850 --> 00:15:54.309 to have some excellent staff. Claudine Santos, 00:15:54.529 --> 00:15:56.409 who is my director of parliamentary affairs. 00:15:57.289 --> 00:16:03.190 has significant experience. I was fortunate to 00:16:03.190 --> 00:16:05.509 have her as my Director of Parliamentary Affairs. 00:16:06.129 --> 00:16:10.350 Very fortunate to have an executive assistant, 00:16:10.610 --> 00:16:13.269 Jennifer Coppage, somebody who has worked with 00:16:13.269 --> 00:16:22.370 me for decades. And that's my core support. A 00:16:22.370 --> 00:16:27.250 lot of the work we do really depends on having 00:16:27.250 --> 00:16:31.549 that excellent support and guidance, because 00:16:31.549 --> 00:16:38.730 to achieve certain things, it is important to 00:16:38.730 --> 00:16:44.330 know how things function, both formally and informally. 00:16:44.570 --> 00:16:48.529 And there are networks, there are mechanisms 00:16:48.529 --> 00:16:56.470 by which People are in the know. There's a concept 00:16:56.470 --> 00:16:59.809 of political capital that you have to recognize 00:16:59.809 --> 00:17:05.690 and understand. So, you know, and just getting 00:17:05.690 --> 00:17:08.069 back to the previous question about the Reconciling 00:17:08.069 --> 00:17:12.910 Action Report, that listening tour provided a 00:17:12.910 --> 00:17:16.390 basis which guided the work of my office, because 00:17:16.390 --> 00:17:19.650 in addition to my core parliamentary functions, 00:17:20.569 --> 00:17:23.190 It was important for me to have a connection 00:17:23.190 --> 00:17:29.309 to people back home. So, yes, I am a senator 00:17:29.309 --> 00:17:33.329 for Canada. I am a senator from the region of 00:17:33.329 --> 00:17:38.029 Nova Scotia. But I also help represent a diverse 00:17:38.029 --> 00:17:41.190 and special group of people, the Mi 'kmaq people. 00:17:41.390 --> 00:17:45.769 And my listening tour, it was actually Claudine 00:17:45.769 --> 00:17:49.650 Santos, her idea of undertaking this, which... 00:17:49.920 --> 00:17:52.200 which was an excellent idea. And we went from 00:17:52.200 --> 00:17:55.759 Newfoundland right to Quebec. Some of you might 00:17:55.759 --> 00:17:59.980 know that area, which is the traditional territory 00:17:59.980 --> 00:18:02.920 of the Mi 'kmaq people. It was otherwise known 00:18:02.920 --> 00:18:06.539 as Mi 'kma 'ki. And so with this listening tour, 00:18:06.759 --> 00:18:12.559 we generated a report. We vetted that with the 00:18:12.559 --> 00:18:17.200 participants. So they added to that report before 00:18:17.200 --> 00:18:24.640 it was finalized. And then, basically, we sent 00:18:24.640 --> 00:18:28.259 that report to every parliamentarian, every minister 00:18:28.259 --> 00:18:34.839 within government. And it's basically a key document 00:18:34.839 --> 00:18:39.599 that is guiding the work of my office in terms 00:18:39.599 --> 00:18:42.539 of the priorities that we want to see addressed 00:18:42.539 --> 00:18:45.559 and dealt with through the course of this government. 00:18:46.349 --> 00:18:50.589 You covered a big territory. How many people 00:18:50.589 --> 00:18:53.630 did you have? Were you listening to on that tour? 00:18:53.710 --> 00:18:57.549 Any highlights that really stick out to you? 00:18:58.309 --> 00:19:04.289 Oh, there's many. I think we had discussions 00:19:04.289 --> 00:19:10.069 with over 1 ,700 people. Hundreds and hundreds 00:19:10.069 --> 00:19:16.029 of transcript notes that were taken. We met with 00:19:16.029 --> 00:19:20.650 community leaders, chief and councils. We met 00:19:20.650 --> 00:19:26.670 with Mi 'kmaq organizations. We met with tribal 00:19:26.670 --> 00:19:33.349 councils. We even met with some Wulustugwe, which 00:19:33.349 --> 00:19:36.950 is an adjacent nation in New Brunswick as well, 00:19:37.109 --> 00:19:42.220 to have discussions with them. It was a rich 00:19:42.220 --> 00:19:45.980 dialogue because it was important for me to hear 00:19:45.980 --> 00:19:49.460 directly from them. I didn't want to try to presume 00:19:49.460 --> 00:19:53.700 that I knew what the issues were, even though 00:19:53.700 --> 00:19:57.640 I was a chief. Yeah, you'd been around and involved 00:19:57.640 --> 00:20:00.539 in the community and larger, broader community 00:20:00.539 --> 00:20:08.240 for years. Any surprises? Yeah. A number of surprises, 00:20:08.440 --> 00:20:13.480 which was great because even though there were 00:20:13.480 --> 00:20:17.359 similarities that exist across different districts, 00:20:17.680 --> 00:20:21.200 our traditional territory is distinguished by 00:20:21.200 --> 00:20:25.859 seven districts. And so there were similarities, 00:20:25.900 --> 00:20:28.960 but there were unique differences as well. And 00:20:28.960 --> 00:20:34.619 so it was really enlightening to find out how... 00:20:35.630 --> 00:20:38.029 indigenous groups and organizations positioned 00:20:38.029 --> 00:20:41.509 themselves, how they organized themselves and 00:20:41.509 --> 00:20:46.329 strategically dealt with these issues. And, you 00:20:46.329 --> 00:20:49.769 know, and I just feel so fortunate that they 00:20:49.769 --> 00:20:56.730 really opened up and really saw value in participating 00:20:56.730 --> 00:21:00.289 in this endeavor, which was, you know, something 00:21:00.289 --> 00:21:04.339 that is ongoing. Well, I think in terms of timing 00:21:04.339 --> 00:21:07.920 for that listening tour you and your chief of 00:21:07.920 --> 00:21:10.559 staff Claudine couldn't have planned it better 00:21:10.559 --> 00:21:14.599 because it's given a a strong foundation I think 00:21:14.599 --> 00:21:18.000 for the indigenous people across Canada because 00:21:18.000 --> 00:21:19.980 you've spoken to so many and of course there's 00:21:19.980 --> 00:21:23.380 a relatively large number as you said of indigenous 00:21:23.380 --> 00:21:26.980 senators and you know with the crisis that Canada 00:21:26.980 --> 00:21:30.160 is facing it's the opportunity for indigenous 00:21:30.160 --> 00:21:33.920 people to take the rightful place at the table 00:21:33.920 --> 00:21:37.920 uh along with all other canadians as we plot 00:21:37.920 --> 00:21:40.960 our way forward and i think it's a unique moment 00:21:40.960 --> 00:21:43.359 rob and i've talked about this in in canadian 00:21:43.359 --> 00:21:45.819 history because you have your rightful place 00:21:45.819 --> 00:21:48.319 now and it's in the constitution your rights 00:21:48.319 --> 00:21:51.259 have been recognized uh still a lot of work to 00:21:51.259 --> 00:21:53.099 do but there's so much that's happened in the 00:21:53.099 --> 00:21:55.960 past few years with the challenges and we want 00:21:55.960 --> 00:21:59.019 to be outward looking and connecting across the 00:21:59.019 --> 00:22:03.359 globe there's a an opportunity to shape the direction 00:22:03.359 --> 00:22:06.319 of the next government's policy. So Mark Carney 00:22:06.319 --> 00:22:08.940 has been recently re -elected as prime minister, 00:22:09.019 --> 00:22:10.740 elected as his first time as prime minister, 00:22:10.880 --> 00:22:14.119 but he's now serving as the elected leader. And 00:22:14.119 --> 00:22:17.039 there are a number of priorities to look for 00:22:17.039 --> 00:22:20.980 over the next days. And I think you've put together 00:22:20.980 --> 00:22:25.619 a action plan or a list of what you'd like to 00:22:25.619 --> 00:22:28.319 see achieved over the next hundred days. And 00:22:28.319 --> 00:22:30.180 we've got a throne speech that will be coming 00:22:30.180 --> 00:22:35.440 up just Just before we release the podcast, what 00:22:35.440 --> 00:22:38.079 do you hope to see there and what are you expecting 00:22:38.079 --> 00:22:43.619 for the future? Oh, very good. And thank you 00:22:43.619 --> 00:22:46.980 for that overview. It is a really interesting 00:22:46.980 --> 00:22:53.400 time we're coming up against here. And recently, 00:22:53.799 --> 00:22:58.920 my office held a press conference with... A number 00:22:58.920 --> 00:23:02.700 of other leaders, Mi 'kmaq leaders, Mi 'kmaq 00:23:02.700 --> 00:23:08.400 chiefs, the national chief leaders of various 00:23:08.400 --> 00:23:13.900 organizations like Ernie Daniels with the First 00:23:13.900 --> 00:23:18.380 Nations Finance Authority, James Michael with 00:23:18.380 --> 00:23:25.940 Dunn -Edley DeBeatom, you know, and it... The 00:23:25.940 --> 00:23:29.799 Reconciling Action Report provided insight into 00:23:29.799 --> 00:23:38.160 some of the key items that stem from a unique 00:23:38.160 --> 00:23:41.940 collaborative approach that was Indigenous -led. 00:23:42.240 --> 00:23:46.519 The whole idea is for Indigenous people to come 00:23:46.519 --> 00:23:50.559 up with their own solutions for dealing with 00:23:50.559 --> 00:23:55.759 key and fundamental issues. have been the product 00:23:55.759 --> 00:24:00.059 of failed good intentions by successive governments. 00:24:01.200 --> 00:24:05.140 And these Indigenous -led initiatives have value. 00:24:06.079 --> 00:24:12.519 They have a history, and they need support. And 00:24:12.519 --> 00:24:16.160 part of that exercise through that press conference 00:24:16.160 --> 00:24:21.359 was to highlight to government What could be 00:24:21.359 --> 00:24:24.160 the first 100 -day priorities of government? 00:24:25.000 --> 00:24:29.559 Things that could be dealt with almost right 00:24:29.559 --> 00:24:33.220 away with a stroke of a pen. Initiatives that 00:24:33.220 --> 00:24:37.220 have a long history, that provide good value, 00:24:37.480 --> 00:24:40.019 that have been vetted, that have been researched. 00:24:41.380 --> 00:24:45.640 So it was an opportunity to bring those initiatives 00:24:45.640 --> 00:24:49.380 front and center. With government, with government 00:24:49.380 --> 00:24:52.240 ministers, we're working on a communication of 00:24:52.240 --> 00:24:55.819 sending out our reconciling action report and 00:24:55.819 --> 00:24:58.420 sending out our press release on the first 100 00:24:58.420 --> 00:25:02.019 -day priorities for government to all ministers 00:25:02.019 --> 00:25:06.440 as well, newly appointed ministers within cabinet 00:25:06.440 --> 00:25:14.309 and as well others. And that's part of the advocacy 00:25:14.309 --> 00:25:18.829 and focus we're looking to do to try to get real 00:25:18.829 --> 00:25:22.910 change for some issues that have been long outstanding 00:25:22.910 --> 00:25:25.769 within Indigenous communities throughout Canada. 00:25:27.109 --> 00:25:30.250 That's so great to hear, Senator, because I think 00:25:30.250 --> 00:25:33.029 of politicians as being the ones who are being 00:25:33.029 --> 00:25:37.910 advocated to. And you've taken the initiative 00:25:37.910 --> 00:25:44.079 to gather. all of those voices in your communities 00:25:44.079 --> 00:25:47.500 and districts and then be their voice and advocate 00:25:47.500 --> 00:25:51.559 to the larger group within the House of Commons 00:25:51.559 --> 00:25:55.319 and Senate. So well done for you. And you've 00:25:55.319 --> 00:25:57.039 come up with some priorities for those first 00:25:57.039 --> 00:26:01.000 100 days. Do you want to talk about a few of 00:26:01.000 --> 00:26:04.339 those? Sure. One of them is a very important 00:26:04.339 --> 00:26:06.880 one that has certainly history within the previous 00:26:06.880 --> 00:26:12.640 government. First Nations water legislation, 00:26:12.920 --> 00:26:18.160 which recognizes the inherent jurisdiction of 00:26:18.160 --> 00:26:24.319 First Nations over water and their right to clean 00:26:24.319 --> 00:26:28.980 water within their communities to have appropriate 00:26:28.980 --> 00:26:32.680 infrastructure for drinking water, wastewater, 00:26:33.319 --> 00:26:38.700 source water. within their communities. It's 00:26:38.700 --> 00:26:44.160 amazing how that is still a pressing issue within 00:26:44.160 --> 00:26:47.140 many First Nation communities throughout Canada 00:26:47.140 --> 00:26:52.480 when many people take it as a given right. It 00:26:52.480 --> 00:26:56.960 stemmed from litigation, obviously, because what 00:26:56.960 --> 00:27:00.119 prompts government sometimes is litigation. Yep, 00:27:00.140 --> 00:27:02.819 that was litigation led by our firm, McCarthy 00:27:02.819 --> 00:27:05.700 -Tatro, the class action against the federal 00:27:05.700 --> 00:27:08.819 government that resulted in a financial settlement 00:27:08.819 --> 00:27:11.079 as well as a commitment, a longer -term commitment 00:27:11.079 --> 00:27:16.720 to take action finally and to bring forward legislation. 00:27:16.799 --> 00:27:22.660 But as you're saying, that legislation is taking 00:27:22.660 --> 00:27:28.759 a lot longer. Exactly. And, you know, thank you 00:27:28.759 --> 00:27:34.359 for their efforts. And so, as you know, with 00:27:34.359 --> 00:27:37.619 the change of government, all the existing business 00:27:37.619 --> 00:27:41.140 that happens with government, the legislation 00:27:41.140 --> 00:27:46.019 that is in process, it dies on the order paper, 00:27:46.180 --> 00:27:50.259 is the saying, where it's sort of like a clean 00:27:50.259 --> 00:27:54.700 slate. But it's still nonetheless a priority. 00:27:54.799 --> 00:27:58.299 It's a priority that was addressed through a 00:27:58.299 --> 00:28:01.099 co -development process with Indigenous Services 00:28:01.099 --> 00:28:04.940 Canada, which I applaud and want to recognize 00:28:04.940 --> 00:28:07.940 that approach because it doesn't happen often. 00:28:08.740 --> 00:28:12.559 It has been subject to much debate within the 00:28:12.559 --> 00:28:16.579 House. It didn't quite make it out of the House. 00:28:17.299 --> 00:28:20.140 It didn't make it to third reading, but it made 00:28:20.140 --> 00:28:24.579 it out of a committee, and there were significant 00:28:24.579 --> 00:28:29.480 amendments. So, you know, we're hoping to revive 00:28:29.480 --> 00:28:33.720 that piece of legislation. I have agreed to be 00:28:33.720 --> 00:28:37.720 the Senate's sponsor. Every bill that happens, 00:28:37.759 --> 00:28:40.839 either in the House or in the Senate, has a sponsor 00:28:40.839 --> 00:28:44.480 to help shepherd that piece of legislation through. 00:28:45.759 --> 00:28:48.839 the legislative process. So I have agreed to 00:28:48.839 --> 00:28:52.500 do that to, for the previous act that died on 00:28:52.500 --> 00:28:55.380 the order paper, but I have reconfirmed that 00:28:55.380 --> 00:28:59.079 commitment to be the sponsor of whatever legislation 00:28:59.079 --> 00:29:03.240 makes its way through. So, so that's water done. 00:29:03.359 --> 00:29:08.960 It's a really innovative indigenous led co -developed 00:29:08.960 --> 00:29:12.519 initiative with indigenous services, Canada that 00:29:12.519 --> 00:29:17.240 seeks to address social income support for First 00:29:17.240 --> 00:29:21.900 Nation community members by recognizing and developing 00:29:21.900 --> 00:29:26.400 a social policy that actually works, a policy 00:29:26.400 --> 00:29:29.740 that is reflective of the needs of community, 00:29:29.940 --> 00:29:35.539 that is quite comparable to what recipients in 00:29:35.539 --> 00:29:38.460 the province of Nova Scotia receive. So there's 00:29:38.460 --> 00:29:44.160 a parity in that regard. There's also... you 00:29:44.160 --> 00:29:48.660 know, economic development initiatives like special 00:29:48.660 --> 00:29:53.400 purpose vehicles, which allows First Nations 00:29:53.400 --> 00:30:00.619 to come together for a specific purpose at times 00:30:00.619 --> 00:30:05.299 backed by a ministerial loan guarantee or some 00:30:05.299 --> 00:30:12.069 secure credit or income stream. that allows them 00:30:12.069 --> 00:30:16.829 to maybe get an equity share in a major development 00:30:16.829 --> 00:30:23.410 project and creates access to potentially billions 00:30:23.410 --> 00:30:29.369 of dollars to allow First Nation groups and collectives 00:30:29.369 --> 00:30:33.529 to seize these opportunities that are available 00:30:33.529 --> 00:30:37.490 to anyone that is doing a commercial or business 00:30:37.490 --> 00:30:42.279 undertaken. For that to happen, it involves a 00:30:42.279 --> 00:30:47.160 legislative amendment to the First Nations Financial 00:30:47.160 --> 00:30:51.680 Management Act. Ernie Daniels spoke at our press 00:30:51.680 --> 00:30:56.559 conference of the need to have these special 00:30:56.559 --> 00:31:01.000 purpose vehicles. And I think it would create 00:31:01.000 --> 00:31:04.680 a tremendous movement and positive change for 00:31:04.680 --> 00:31:09.670 Indigenous peoples. Yeah, we've had Ernie on 00:31:09.670 --> 00:31:14.250 the podcast and he's been at the summit. Oh, 00:31:14.250 --> 00:31:17.450 very good. A real leader. And I know there is 00:31:17.450 --> 00:31:20.869 that issue with the way the First Nations Finance 00:31:20.869 --> 00:31:25.710 Authority is, the way it operates and the way 00:31:25.710 --> 00:31:30.259 it is limited to assistance to... First Nations 00:31:30.259 --> 00:31:34.140 themselves, but cannot, but typically with the 00:31:34.140 --> 00:31:36.880 development, there's a, as you say, a special 00:31:36.880 --> 00:31:40.940 purpose vehicle set up for the nation and it 00:31:40.940 --> 00:31:43.500 does its commercial business through that entity. 00:31:44.180 --> 00:31:48.140 And at the moment, FNFA cannot support those 00:31:48.140 --> 00:31:54.539 entities. So yeah, that would open up a lot more 00:31:54.539 --> 00:31:57.720 support if that change could be made. Certainly, 00:31:57.960 --> 00:32:01.519 certainly. And when I was chief, just to finish 00:32:01.519 --> 00:32:04.700 off, because I have a lot of positive things 00:32:04.700 --> 00:32:07.660 to say about the First Nations Finance Authority. 00:32:08.119 --> 00:32:13.920 When I was chief here in Battengau, we had a 00:32:13.920 --> 00:32:17.079 highway development project that was going right 00:32:17.079 --> 00:32:20.299 through our community where they were twinning 00:32:20.299 --> 00:32:25.380 the highway. And we were actually able to... 00:32:26.200 --> 00:32:30.059 get funding secured through our own source revenues 00:32:30.059 --> 00:32:33.160 from the First Nations Finance Authority at rates 00:32:33.160 --> 00:32:36.859 that were better than any rate you get from a 00:32:36.859 --> 00:32:40.680 bank. And we all know what happens when you're 00:32:40.680 --> 00:32:45.660 able to save one or two percent on a major loan 00:32:45.660 --> 00:32:51.380 undertaken. And so we were able to leverage a 00:32:51.380 --> 00:32:56.539 multi -million dollar highway. development travel 00:32:56.539 --> 00:33:00.279 center, a Bayside travel center in our community, 00:33:00.359 --> 00:33:03.500 which provides employment. We have our gaming 00:33:03.500 --> 00:33:06.500 facilities up there. I mean, it's just one of 00:33:06.500 --> 00:33:09.420 many stories of what, you know, that entity, 00:33:09.599 --> 00:33:11.980 the First Nations Finance Authority is able to 00:33:11.980 --> 00:33:16.000 do. And it's important to recognize these stories 00:33:16.000 --> 00:33:19.960 and stories of success, you know, stories of 00:33:19.960 --> 00:33:24.450 innovation, things of that nature. While we're 00:33:24.450 --> 00:33:27.150 just talking about innovation, those opportunities 00:33:27.150 --> 00:33:30.809 that you're highlighting, and if I'm not mistaken, 00:33:30.910 --> 00:33:33.829 I think Chief Terry Paul, Clearwater Seafoods, 00:33:33.829 --> 00:33:37.789 is in your neck of the woods, who was also at 00:33:37.789 --> 00:33:39.710 the summit this year. But what would you be saying 00:33:39.710 --> 00:33:42.329 to foreign investors, right? Whether they're 00:33:42.329 --> 00:33:46.009 corporates with subsidiaries in Canada looking 00:33:46.009 --> 00:33:48.829 at setting up, or perhaps it's just the capital 00:33:48.829 --> 00:33:54.599 markets in understanding how to approach. that 00:33:54.599 --> 00:33:56.960 we all hope to have that you're shaping at the 00:33:56.960 --> 00:33:59.519 moment, and we hope that the throne speech reinforces 00:33:59.519 --> 00:34:08.280 that. Sure. I want to begin by saying that Indigenous 00:34:08.280 --> 00:34:11.820 people, First Nations people, are not against 00:34:11.820 --> 00:34:17.860 development. As some people do think, they recognize 00:34:17.860 --> 00:34:21.289 that they are in a unique position. They want 00:34:21.289 --> 00:34:24.650 to see success in their communities. They want 00:34:24.650 --> 00:34:27.050 to see progressive change within their communities. 00:34:27.250 --> 00:34:30.849 But they recognize that they have this inalienable 00:34:30.849 --> 00:34:36.690 responsibility to think within seven generations 00:34:36.690 --> 00:34:42.630 through time the integrity of the land and resources. 00:34:42.949 --> 00:34:46.969 And if development occurs, when development occurs, 00:34:47.820 --> 00:34:51.739 here on Turtle Island, as we refer to North America, 00:34:51.900 --> 00:34:55.760 or in Mi 'kma 'ki, the traditional territory 00:34:55.760 --> 00:35:00.960 of the Mi 'kmaq people. These are the traditional 00:35:00.960 --> 00:35:05.300 lands of the Mi 'kmaq people, specifically here. 00:35:06.090 --> 00:35:10.610 We have constitutionally protected rights through 00:35:10.610 --> 00:35:13.409 treaties, peace and friendship treaties that 00:35:13.409 --> 00:35:16.949 predate the founding of Canada, the pre -Confederation. 00:35:17.409 --> 00:35:20.789 We have an outstanding Aboriginal title interest 00:35:20.789 --> 00:35:25.809 in the land that needs to be recognized. So it's 00:35:25.809 --> 00:35:31.210 important for people to recognize that Indigenous 00:35:31.210 --> 00:35:38.170 people want, you know, willing. to seize opportunities 00:35:38.170 --> 00:35:42.050 to improve their communities, to generate employment, 00:35:42.489 --> 00:35:48.030 to build capacity, and to contribute to this 00:35:48.030 --> 00:35:53.570 incredible country of ours. And so that takes 00:35:53.570 --> 00:35:57.789 a unique approach. It involves strategic research 00:35:57.789 --> 00:36:02.489 on behalf of investors to know the climate that 00:36:02.489 --> 00:36:05.639 exists within a specific area. to understand 00:36:05.639 --> 00:36:10.820 a bit about the politics of how things take place 00:36:10.820 --> 00:36:14.380 within a specific area because it differs from 00:36:14.380 --> 00:36:17.780 community to community, from region to region. 00:36:18.960 --> 00:36:26.159 So I will add that and I'm sure I can just go 00:36:26.159 --> 00:36:28.599 on and on. But if there's anything further specific 00:36:28.599 --> 00:36:32.460 to that, please, you know, highlight that and 00:36:32.460 --> 00:36:35.489 I can further add to it. I think that's a great 00:36:35.489 --> 00:36:41.670 summary, Senator. And that's exactly why we founded 00:36:41.670 --> 00:36:45.929 the Canadian Indigenous Investment Summit in 00:36:45.929 --> 00:36:49.610 London two years ago and just had our second 00:36:49.610 --> 00:36:54.030 summit not long ago. And we're actively planning 00:36:54.030 --> 00:36:59.369 for next year. There's some great opportunities 00:36:59.369 --> 00:37:06.250 in Canada. Canadians need to diversify beyond 00:37:06.250 --> 00:37:11.429 North America, looking for partners and investment? 00:37:12.329 --> 00:37:16.989 I think more so than ever with these shifting 00:37:16.989 --> 00:37:20.909 geopolitical realities, the need to diversify 00:37:20.909 --> 00:37:26.010 markets should be front and center. I think, 00:37:26.050 --> 00:37:31.269 you know, our involvement in trying to familiarize 00:37:31.269 --> 00:37:35.889 and speak out more on IPECA, which is an international 00:37:35.889 --> 00:37:39.250 instrument that allows for trade to take place 00:37:39.250 --> 00:37:42.190 between Indigenous people from various countries. 00:37:42.650 --> 00:37:48.190 Canada is a signatory to that. I want to recognize 00:37:48.190 --> 00:37:52.670 your efforts in bringing this forward and recognizing 00:37:52.670 --> 00:37:58.650 the importance to have a summit. to speak about 00:37:58.650 --> 00:38:04.070 Indigenous investment. There is a concept in 00:38:04.070 --> 00:38:09.190 our language I'll share with you. Ilnu is a Mi 00:38:09.190 --> 00:38:12.329 'kmaq term. There's actually a symbol for Ilnu 00:38:12.329 --> 00:38:19.590 within our culture that basically stands for 00:38:19.590 --> 00:38:23.389 all Indigenous people. Not just Mi 'kmaq, but 00:38:23.389 --> 00:38:29.690 all Indigenous people. And there's a unique perception, 00:38:29.869 --> 00:38:33.690 as you know, that exists with Indigenous people. 00:38:33.849 --> 00:38:38.250 There's a term in Mi 'kmaq called ediwamtimo, 00:38:38.389 --> 00:38:42.489 which means, for lack of a better way of saying 00:38:42.489 --> 00:38:44.989 it, two -eyed seeing. When you're looking at 00:38:44.989 --> 00:38:48.630 something, you view it through two eyes. So within 00:38:48.630 --> 00:38:51.389 the context of science, you see it through a 00:38:51.389 --> 00:38:54.940 Western science lens. But through the other eye, 00:38:54.960 --> 00:38:57.119 you're able to incorporate traditional knowledge 00:38:57.119 --> 00:39:01.579 and values and systems where they come together. 00:39:01.719 --> 00:39:06.159 And the whole idea is not to take away from one 00:39:06.159 --> 00:39:09.719 another, but to add further to it. And when it 00:39:09.719 --> 00:39:13.059 comes to Indigenous business and Indigenous investment, 00:39:13.340 --> 00:39:16.980 I think about it in terms of that two -eyed seeing 00:39:16.980 --> 00:39:20.500 approach where you have ill -new -vation. Ill 00:39:20.500 --> 00:39:24.210 -new -vation, where... It's just that ability 00:39:24.210 --> 00:39:26.789 of ill -known people to seize opportunities and 00:39:26.789 --> 00:39:29.809 to see things differently, which I think deserves 00:39:29.809 --> 00:39:33.389 certain consideration within dialogue, certainly 00:39:33.389 --> 00:39:38.050 within Canada and internationally. Love it. And 00:39:38.050 --> 00:39:42.170 well said, Senator. And thank you again. I think 00:39:42.170 --> 00:39:44.610 we've run out of time, but we could go on. I 00:39:44.610 --> 00:39:47.909 appreciate you making time for us today. It's 00:39:47.909 --> 00:39:53.110 a very busy, busy week, I know. And we'll let 00:39:53.110 --> 00:39:57.989 you get back to all that's going on in Ottawa 00:39:57.989 --> 00:40:00.469 and the rest of the country. So thank you again. 00:40:00.750 --> 00:40:03.489 Thank you for this opportunity. I really appreciate 00:40:03.489 --> 00:40:09.989 it. Thank you, Senator. Thank you. Thank you 00:40:09.989 --> 00:40:12.449 to Senator Paul Prosper for sharing his insights 00:40:12.449 --> 00:40:14.690 with us. And thank you for viewing and listening. 00:40:15.650 --> 00:40:18.250 Be sure to share, subscribe and leave a review 00:40:18.250 --> 00:40:21.130 on your favorite podcast channel. Thanks for 00:40:21.130 --> 00:40:23.280 listening to Drumbeats. Until next time.