[ Witness spoke in Aln8ba8dwaw8gan ]

[ French ]

Members of the committee, thank you for inviting me to share my perspective with you today. My name is Jacques Thériault Watso, I am a member of the Abenaki First Nation of Odanak and I have also been an elected member of the Abenaki Council of Odanak since 2005. I am in Louis Plamondon's riding and, like him, I am an old-timer.

I am an advocate for the rights of indigenous peoples and an entrepreneur involved in the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage. Odanak is one of 11 first nations in the province of Quebec. We are in southern Quebec. Our traditional territory lies between the Chaudière River, the St. Lawrence River and the Richelieu River.

By way of introduction, since context is important, I want to emphasize that we are at a critical moment for relations between Canada and the first peoples. The motion that brings us together underscores the importance of approaching the challenges we face with sincerity and commitment.

One of the priority issues for Abenaki people in Odanak is identity and cultural appropriation. Within the Abenaki nation, one of our greatest challenges is the theft and appropriation of our identity. The lack of robust mechanisms to protect indigenous identity exposes our communities to injustices, from fraudulent claims to the marginalization of our members. I recommend the creation of clear protocols, in partnership with communities, to better define and protect membership in our nations.

Second is the cultural and economic sovereignty of our nations, particularly the Abenaki of Odanak. The revitalization of our languages and traditions requires targeted investments in educational and cultural programming. At the same time, our economic initiatives, such as the one I personally lead as an entrepreneur, demonstrate how indigenous entrepreneurship is an economic lever that promotes our self-government. I am asking for increased support for indigenous businesses, not only in terms of funding, but also through partnerships focused on sustainability and respect for our traditional knowledge.

Now let us talk about relations with governments. I want to emphasize the need for meaningful consultation with first nations on all policies that affect us. Too often, our voices are absent from the decision-making process, and that needs to change. This committee will make it possible for real, concrete changes to take place. I propose that permanent mechanisms be put in place to include indigenous leaders in policy decision-making concerning our nations at the national level.

To conclude, I will present a vision for the future. I encourage you to look at our relationship as a fair partnership. The sun shines for everyone, both the Canadian people and first nations. Together, we have a responsibility to build a future where our children can be proud of their culture, be empowered in their choices and be fully respected as members of the first peoples.

Thank you for this opportunity to share the concerns of the Abenaki people of Odanak. I look forward to answering your questions. Let us open up the debate.

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