Good morning to everybody in attendance today.
It's a real pleasure to be able to share some commentary and appear before you in regard to the future of Canada relative to first nations' assertion of rights and jurisdiction, which is always at the forefront of the work we do here at the centre.
We're an organization that is wholly owned by 74 first nations across Saskatchewan and the six treaty territories that underlie the province of Saskatchewan. I'm speaking to you from Treaty No. 6 territory.
In terms of the submission I forwarded yesterday, it's very important, I think, as we move through the session today, to understand that we're at a critical point in Canada with respect to first nations relationships. It's very important to understand as well that, from a first nations' perspective, we are spiritually and intrinsically tied to our lands and territories across Saskatchewan.
From the perspective of my work and our work here at the centre, we have a board of chiefs appointed from each of the tribal councils across Saskatchewan representative of the 74 first nations.
When we look at the historical relationship between Canada and first nations or the Crown and first nations and at the consideration of inherent rights as they relate to treaty rights and as that relates to section 35 in the Constitution, we're on a journey in Canada to determine the best path forward in respect of natural resource development in terms of critical minerals and global and domestic demands for critical minerals.
When it comes to the opportunities ahead of us, I think that Canada has a profound opportunity to recognize first nations not as participants and not as shareholders but as rightful partners and rights holders. Also, with the great work that's been done across Saskatchewan by our first nations in establishing local governance systems and in establishing economic development corporations, they've had the foresight as well to consider how to become involved in shaping the country's resource and economic future.
As we move forward through our conversation today, I'll be able to share a bit more with respect to inherent and treaty rights but also some of the work that has been done and is ongoing in terms of trade and diplomacy right across North America.
We have first nations that have high aspirations when it comes to the development of lands and resources. As well, of course, we want to ensure that our lands, territories and waters are protected for future generations with respect to traditional and cultural ways of life. We also recognize the great opportunities before us in terms of equity opportunities within some of the major projects, within supply chain and procurement and within workforce development.
The question is this: How do we meaningfully participate as first nations within these sectors—the critical minerals sector and, of course, the energy sector with respect to new nuclear? These are very important components of the work that we do here at the centre. I'd be very happy to share more throughout the morning.
One of the key points that we are taught by our elders and past leadership...and I had the opportunity to serve as chief of my first nation from 2006 to 2010, Red Pheasant Cree Nation. One aspect in teachings that has been passed down is that, through treaty, we didn't cede or surrender our resources here within our treaty lands. As we look at opportunities that lie in front of us, the notions of resource revenue sharing and royalty sharing are all concepts and components that we discuss quite a bit at our meetings and in our interactions with our first nations leadership.
To my earlier point, with some of the opportunities that we have domestically and globally, I think Canada has some great opportunities today to reshape the future in terms of positive capacity building and collaborative relationships with first nations, individually and collectively.
I will leave my comments there for now. I'll certainly share much more throughout the morning.
It's a great pleasure to be here and I'm looking forward to the discussion, the questions and the conversation as we move forward through the morning.
Thank you.