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House Hansard - 4

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
November 25, 2021 10:00AM
Context: House Hansard - 4 - Nov/25/21
Mr. Yasir Naqvi (Ottawa Centre, Lib.)
  • Nov/25/21 2:03:54 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I want to use my first statement in the House to acknowledge that my children and I have the honour to live on the unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinabe people. It is our collective responsibility to work closely with indigenous peoples in our communities and advance reconciliation. We have a responsibility to work with indigenous partners toward reconciliation. Whether their family came to this land six generations ago or they are a recent immigrant, this is every person's responsibility as a citizen. As someone who has lived in Canada for 32 years and as a father, I recognize my duty every single day to seek out the truth, and as a settler to learn from elders and work with indigenous leaders and communities toward reconciliation. Here in my riding of Ottawa Centre, there are local organizations like the Tewegan youth housing, Gignul housing and Tungasuvvingat Inuit that are serving indigenous communities through access to housing, vital resources and support. We have a lot more to do, but I believe that Canadians are determined to walk the path toward reconciliation. In the words of Algonquin grandfather, the late Chief William Commanda, “We must come together with one heart, one mind, one love and one determination.”
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