The Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and the Minister of Indigenous Services, along with supporting departmental officials, will be appearing in person. An overview of this process is outlined below. I would like to begin by acknowledging that I am speaking to you today from the unceded traditional territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg people. Thank you for inviting me to appear before this committee today. I'm pleased to speak about our work to repeal and replace the First Nations Land Management Act —aninitiative that has truly been led by and co-developed with First Nations partners.
Since , the federal government has been guided by the principle that Indigenous Peoples are self-determining and self-governing. Twenty-six years ago, we collectively took an important step forward on this matter, when 13 Chiefs came together to sign the Framework Agreement on First Nation Land Management.
ThisAct and the Framework Agreement work together to support First Nations as they transition away from 44 land related provisions of the Indian Act. Through the Framework Agreement, First Nations have full jurisdiction, legal authority and law-making powers to manage their reserve lands through uniquely developed, and community approved, land codes. Today, there are signatories to the Framework Agreement, and First Nations are operating under a community-approved land code — 3 additional First Nations have also progressed to comprehensive self-government agreements.
First Nations have made it clear that the current Act does not meet their needs and expectations. This duplication has created ongoing confusion among First Nations and stakeholders.
That's why the government co-developed the proposed legislation to repeal and replace the First Nations Land Management Act. This was done hand-in-hand with the Lands Advisory Board, the Indigenous organization that represents First Nations that are signatories to the Framework Agreement.
