Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs

Comité permanent des affaires autochtones et du Nord

For immediate release

Ottawa, May 8, 2024 -

Today, Mr. John Aldag, Chair of the committee and Member of Parliament for Cloverdale-Langley City, was pleased to table a report entitled “We Belong to the Land”: The Restitution of Land to Indigenous Nations. During the study, witnesses discussed the dispossession of Indigenous lands, available pathways for Indigenous Nations to access their lands, and recommendations to ensure the return of land to Indigenous Nations.

Over the course of six meetings, the committee heard from 32 witnesses and received 21 briefs. The committee’s report contains 22 recommendations to improve existing federal policies and processes, such as specific claims, additions to reserve, and the negotiation of modern treaties, in order to return more land to Indigenous Nations. The committee also recommends exploring alternative approaches to land restitution outside of existing federal policies and processes. The committee wishes to thank all those who participated in this study, and shared their stories, knowledge and recommendations.

Sébastien Lemire, committee member and Bloc Québécois Member of Parliament for Abitibi—Témiscamingue noted, “We must challenge the preconceived notions that it is difficult to restore land to Indigenous peoples. Let's open a dialogue from nation to nation in search of solutions that lead to reconciliation and celebrate the self-determination of Indigenous communities.”

Lori Idlout, committee member and New Democratic Party Member of Parliament for Nunavut noted, “Canada systematically robbed Indigenous peoples of lands, languages, cultures and people. We heard that indigenous peoples demand reconciliation, not broken promises. The federal governments response to our report will indicate whether indigenous peoples deserve to be heard"

This report can be viewed online on the committee’s website.