I recently read a quote by Chief Paul that said:

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1 Good Morning Lim Limpt (thank you) to the Elders, Chiefs, Grand and Regional Chiefs, LAB Directors, Councillors, Members, Lands Management representatives, RC Staff, Friends, Advisors, Verifiers, AANDC Staff, and Guests for joining us today. I would like to begin by acknowledging our hosts, the Membertou people, to thank them for their generosity in hosting this year s Annual General Meeting, and for their grace and hospitality during our visit here. I would also like to say lim limpt (thank you) to their ancestors who looked after and protected these lands and resources so we could all be here today. What a beautiful part of the country this is, and what an impressive community! Chief Terry Paul. I understand that you have recently been re elected to your 16 th, two year term, as Chief of the Membertou Nation. My most heartfelt congratulations. Not only does this speak volumes about the care and compassion that you feel for your community, but to how your community has trusted you, and placed their belief in your vision for the future of Membertou. This is a great testament to your leadership. I commend you on your unwavering service to your people. I recently read a quote by Chief Paul that said: We feel that the way that we work as a team, we re able to move mountains. The biggest thing is learning to work together. This quote hit very close to home as it is very much in keeping with how the entire Framework Agreement (FA) was born. BACKGROUND: In the late 1980s, a national group of dedicated Chiefs began to focus on the concept of a government to government arrangement with Canada which would result in the recognition of our inherent rights to govern our reserve lands and natural resources. Some of those Chiefs are in this room today. The solution they decided upon was the creation of the Framework Agreement. The years leading up to the development of the Framework Agreement were met with great skepticism by the Government and other outside bodies. Despite this doubt, we prevailed. In 1996, 14 First Nations Chiefs negotiated and signed the FA with Canada. The completion of the FA represents the only time in Canada s history that a group of First Nations have joined together to 1 P age

2 design, negotiate and sign a government to government arrangement with the Federal Government to resume our rightful jurisdiction. My friends, we are working together, and we are moving mountains!!! In 1996 we began our journey with the 14 original First Nation signatories to the FA. Today 112 First Nation communities are signatories to the FA. On January 1, 2000 the first day of the new millennium 3 FA First Nations, Chippewas of Georgina Island, Mississaugas of Scugog Island, and Muskoday, began to govern their lands and resources under their own land codes. Since this time, the Framework Agreement has continued to expand. This year we have accomplished a great milestone in our own journey. We have surpassed 50 Operational First Nations now functioning under their community Land Codes. In fact 51 signatories to the FA are now Operational, three of which have since moved on to full self government after realizing great success under their land codes. The momentum for the FA shows no signs of slowing. Since last year s AGM, our waitlist has also grown. The Chehelis and Penticton First Nations in British Columbia, The Canupawakup Dakota, in Manitoba, and the Fort Williams and Sheshegwaning First Nations in Ontario, bring the list of First Nations awaiting entry to the FA to a total of 52. My office receives a consistent stream of inquiries from interested First Nations, as word of the FA s success spreads throughout the country. While we measure success on many levels, one reason that the FA has been receiving so much attention is because of the economic success many First Nation communities begin to experience after ratifying their Land Code. Ms. Karen Croteau of KPMG will discuss, later today, the findings of the most recent KPMG study of the benefits of the FA. The 2009 KPMG study sampled 17 operational First Nations and the findings were remarkable: $53 million investment from member owned businesses $100 million investment from third parties businesses More than 2,000 employment opportunities for band members 2 P age

3 More than 10,000 employment opportunities for non members pumping hundreds of millions of dollars into local economies Administration costs per land transaction reduced to an average of $500 by First Nations compared to Canada s cost of more than $2500 Land transaction processing in days and weeks (at the speed of business), compared to Canada s time of months and years Significant social assistance reductions (for example, one community went from 67% down to 5%). The 2013 KPMG study is equally compelling. NOT one Operational First Nation indicated that it wants to abandon its self government efforts and return to the Indian Act. I look forward to Ms. Croteau s presentation, where she will be able to go into more detail on the study. First Nations are finding that, under the FA, land management activities are: Faster Strengthening FN values & vision Protecting FN legal interests Providing more flexibility, better lease terms for the FN, & better accountability of third parties to the FN Providing better relationships with financial institutions & the ability to borrow for capital investments Facilitating more consistency with the FN Land Use Plan Increasing the level of interest & participation of Members, as well as awareness of Community issues Increasing both internal & external investment Undoubtedly, the examples of success that I have described above, are driving communities forward. In fact, the last 16 communities to vote, voted YES! 16 communities! Since the last AGM alone, we have had 11 votes all ratifying their community Land Codes. This success is unprecedented! These triumphs for our communities do not happen without an immense commitment by the communities themselves, by our LAB Directors, and by our staff. Quite often, while working tirelessly to move the FA and its signatory communities forward, we do so in the face of great personal 3 P age

4 sacrifice. This past year has been particularly challenging as a number of the people integral to this process have also been battling personal illness, or aiding a family member or loved one with theirs. Some unfortunate accidents have also occurred. Harder yet, some have borne the loss of a beloved family member, community member, or friend. Without singling anyone out, my heartfelt gratitude and respect go out to you for your continued commitment while you have been dealing with great illness or loss. You are appreciated more than you know, and your sacrifice has not gone unnoticed. Many healing prayers to your and your families. Our journey is forever moving, but as I contemplate where we are today, I am filled with great pride at what we have accomplished to date. The FA has helped 51 communities regain land governance over their reserve lands and resources and it holds the promise to do the same for many other other First Nations that will follow. It reflects the unique needs and traditions of our communities, our own laws, priorities, traditions and ways of doing things. It provides sound environmental protection and monitoring, and accelerates progress in many areas, such as economic development Total jurisdiction, decision making, and control over the lands, are the responsibility of our communities, not Canada. Implementation of land governance jurisdiction and decision making is the key to success. It has proven to open the door to economic prosperity and self sufficiency, and enhances the lives of our people. The LAB has never wavered in its commitment that any First Nation, if it wishes, should have the opportunity to participate in this land management initiative. The LAB is unwaveringly devoted to assisting all First Nations in achieving their desired goal of exercising their inherent right to control their reserve lands and resources. As I look out over this room, at the many faces that have joined the FA over the years, from communities across this vast country, I am again reminded of Chief Paul s words. I know from my own experience that by working together, 4 P age

5 we can certainly move mountains. We have already succeeded in carving out our place in history and I look forward to the legacy that we will leave at its peak for our generations to come. 5 P age