Hon. Michèle Audette: Would the honourable senator take a question?

Senator Yussuff: Yes.

Hon. Michèle Audette: I want to thank my two colleagues for speaking out on a subject, on a part of Canada’s history, that is complex but that is still very palpable for most Indigenous peoples.

I am proud to be half Innu and half Quebecer. I feel it every day. My son is one of the Gitxsan people, neighbours to the Haida. A spiritual grandmother, Bernie William Poitras, accompanied me during the national inquiry. She comes from that great nation. She is a gentle warrior from a family line that goes back thousands of years, a matriarch, and also a hereditary chief.

Please understand that my position — I’m going to be gentle and loving about it — is to remind us collectively that reconciliation is a truth that only we, Indigenous peoples, can keep. Through our oral tradition, we have been sharing it for decades, for centuries. I have to remind us collectively how important it is important to sign those agreements. The right to self-determination is the first thing I had when I arrived in this chamber. I had a medallion made from caribou hide with the words “education, justice, right to self-government” written on it. That is very important.

At the same time, let’s remember that, in this very space, colonialism caused us harm, especially to Indigenous women. After marrying the most handsome Quebecer, my mother was expelled from her territory. The same thing goes for languages, and so on. These are all things that we learn over time.

February is the month of love, but for families that have lost a loved one, it’s a time of reflection. February is for those who have lost a sister, a brother, a mother, another loved one. Last February, I was visiting these matriarchs in their northern British Columbia territory. They said to me, “This bill will hurt us, because we were not listened to.” In my own words, I told them that, even so, 50 years had passed and we needed to move forward, even if this isn’t perfect, even if this isn’t what we would have hoped for as a people, as a society or as a country. How could they make their voices heard? They tried to make their voices heard in various forums here in the Senate, but people didn’t hear them. For all sorts of reasons, people didn’t hear them. I’m here to speak for them today. Fifty years of colonialism and debate for the great and beautiful Haida people, and we finally have something.

Let’s not forget that these women have 12,000 years’ worth of rights, rules, protocols and pride for their people. I’ve often been told by government members I’ve met here, “yes, but that’s between you. You have to figure it out.” We aren’t the ones who imposed colonial laws on ourselves.

I’m sure you can appreciate why I plan to abstain, but in your heart of hearts, based on your values and your beliefs, if you want to support this initiative, that’s up to you, and that’s fine. I’m not asking you to side with me on this, but please understand that the next nations that testify before our committees, so that we can pass bills with them to ensure their full autonomy . . . Always remember that there are silent voices that must be heard. That is our responsibility.

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There are so many voices that we know — we think we do good, and I’m one of them, of course; I think I did my due diligence. Within their own nation, same nation, there’s probably a group of voices that we need to bring here during committee. So I hope you understand my abstention — that there are voices that weren’t heard. The next bill or the next — even my nation, I can’t wait for them to come here, and I’ll ask them the same question: What about the Indigenous women? Where are they? Are they involved? Did they dream in that vision that you have and are presenting to us as senators; did they co-build with you this piece of legislation or this vision?

We have that due diligence. We have that responsibility. I say thank you to all people here who do open their minds and hearts to this, but let’s also remind ourselves that there are so many of us who are not able to come and shake or speak or share the truth. Thank you.