The federal government filed Bill C-23 on Tuesday, which aims to improve Aboriginal representation on the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada. One of the goals is to encourage First People participation in the management of Ottawa-owned historic sites.
The bill provides for the creation of three new positions on the Commission to be filled by representatives of First Nations, Inuit and Métis.
This will be the first law of its kind in Canada and will allow Indigenous peoples to have a stronger voice in determining which people, places and events are considered of national historical interest and importance in Canada.said the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, Steven Guilbeault, at a press briefing.
The selection of representatives to fill these new positions will be made afterwards a process of consultation with communitiesunderlined the minister.
In addition, the bill suggests a clear framework for the identification, evaluation and designation of historic sitesadded Mr. Guilbeault.
We need this new law because in Canada we lack the framework to have clear management of historic siteshe continued.
For his part, the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, Marc Miller, believes that if the bill is passed it will help promote the recognition and understanding of Indigenous history, including their significant and ongoing contribution to Canadahe wrote in a press release.
I can think of no better or more relevant time to advance this important law than during National Indigenous History Month, Liberal Mi’kmaw MP Jaime Battiste wrote. This bill is about reconciliation.
Ottawa points out that Bill C-23 responds to call to action 79 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission report.
Radio Canada
Source: Radio-Canada
