Presentations to the Standing Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples: Bill S-2, An Act to amend the Indian Act
- Michel Callihoo Nation Society
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
October 8th Standing Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples: Witness Brandy Callihoo, Director (Michel Callihoo Nation Society)
In early October, Director Brandy Callihoo was one of several MCNS directors who bravely offered testimony in favour of Bill S-2 in Ottawa. Brandy shared how the enfranchisement of Michel Callihoo Band in 1958 via Section 112 of the Indian Act has impacted her family.
“Can you imagine being stripped of everything you’ve ever known? The loss of family, culture, traditions, language and ceremony was too much for many to bear,” Brandy shared, acknowledging that her family’s story is not unique amongst descendants of Michel Callihoo Nation.
October 29th Standing Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples: Witness Beverley Asmann, Board Member(Michel Callihoo Nation Society)
In late October, some MCNS Directors, including Director Beverly Asmann, travelled to Ottawa and spoke in front of the Standing Committee on Indigenous Peoples to support the passing of Bill S-2.
“Bill S-2 will help us restore the rights of our Michel people, our support structure, family and community to exist once again, and we are relying on this,” Beverly shared after speaking of the intergenerational consequences of the 1958 enfranchisement of the Michel Callihoo Band.
November 5th Standing Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples: Appearing The Honourable Mandy Gull-Masty, P.C., M.P., Minister of Indigenous Services (Indigenous Services Canada)
In her opening remarks, the Honourable Minister Mandy Gull-Masty, Minister of Indigenous Services of Canada (ISC), acknowledged that the Indian Act has disproportionately affected First Nations women and their descendents; who continue to bear the impacts of discriminatory provisions we see today.
“Bill S-2 was created to right those wrongs. It looked to restore entitlement to approximately 3,500 First Nation members and the descendants who gave up and lost those rights ... This bill was created to restore identity, dignity and recognition,” said Gull-Masty, before directly referencing the plight of our Michel Callihoo Nation Society members.
In a separate statement, Gull-Masty reaffirmed her ministry’s intent to “work closely with First Nations partners to develop legislative reform options that address the second-generation cut–off and section 10 voting thresholds.”
MCNS looks forward to further discussion with ISC in support of this bill.
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