Archived - The Centre of Excellence for Matrimonial Real Property - Supporting First Nation Communities
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The Centre of Excellence for Matrimonial Real Property (MRP) is paving the way for First Nations looking to create and implement custom MRP laws. Learn more about the crucial resources and guidance provided by the Centre in this new video.
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Transcript: The Centre of Excellence for Matrimonial Real Property – Supporting First Nation Communities
Narrator
The Family Homes on Reserves and Matrimonial Interest or Rights Act provides a mechanism for First Nations to enact their own matrimonial real property laws. On December 16, 2014, the provisional federal rules will begin to apply to First Nations who have not enacted their own laws under the Act.
Chris Angeconeb, Legislative Analysis Coordinator, Centre of Excellence for Matrimonial Real Property
The Centre of Excellence for Matrimonial Real Property provides assistance to First Nations communities who are wishing to develop their own matrimonial real property law or who wish to understand the federal provisional rules under the family homes act.
For people living off reserve there's a set of rules, protections and rights that apply to them with respect to their family home. Those rights and protections don't exist on reserve.
Kathy McCue, Administration and Communication Coordinator, Centre of Excellence for Matrimonial Real Property
I think it's great for First Nations to have that technical support and that agency out there that they can bounce ideas off of, that can provide them with models and templates and toolkits.
Chris Angeconeb, Legislative Analysis Coordinator, Centre of Excellence for Matrimonial Real Property
The Centre of Excellence is located on the Curve Lake First Nation which is a community of about 2700 members located in Central Ontario.
Chief Phyllis Williams, Curve Lake First Nation
Curve Lake First Nation is on a peninsula, very close to the city of Toronto and the city of Ottawa. It just makes all the sense that we have this located in our community.
Chris Angeconeb, Legislative Analysis Coordinator, Centre of Excellence for Matrimonial Real Property
I think what we're hoping to do, as a team, is to bring out some of that vibrancy that First Nations have in their communities, in their belief systems and their cultures and their values, bring those out and let them speak in the laws that they create on their own.
Kathy McCue, Administration and Communication Coordinator, Centre of Excellence for Matrimonial Real Property
We also provide support to individual residents of the First Nations so that they have an understanding of the rights and protections available to them under the legislation.
Chris Angeconeb, Legislative Analysis Coordinator, Centre of Excellence for Matrimonial Real Property
It's the National Aboriginal Land Managers Association that hosts the Centre of Excellence.
Gino Clement, Chair, National Aboriginal Land Managers Association
NALMA is a national organization. We provide training for First Nations across Canada. We deliver these programs to the First Nations to help them exceed and go further.
Leona Irons, Executive Director, National Aboriginal Land Managers Association
Our organization of land managers deal with matrimonial property issues on a daily basis. So it is a good fit.
Chief Phyllis Williams, Curve Lake First Nation
I treasure the success that the NALMA office has had over the years and now to have this Centre of Excellence, I'm absolutely thrilled.
Leona Irons, Executive Director, National Aboriginal Land Managers Association
I'm very proud to be a part of this. It's an exciting time.
Kathy McCue, Administration and Communication Coordinator, Centre of Excellence for Matrimonial Real Property
It's an important job because it really impacts on something that is, I guess fundamental to our culture, which is the family. Because that's what this is about, is the gift of children and creating an atmosphere and an environment where they're safe. This is an opportunity to develop processes that take us back to who we are as a nation.