Former MP Rick Laliberte Reflections on Parliament and Local Self-Government

Terra Hodgson a student from Rossiginal High School in Ile a la Crosse Saskatchewan conducts an interview with Rick Laliberte a former Member of Parliament (1997-2004). Terra Hodgson asks what work experiences led him to be a member of parliament and other career opportunities.

The questions are about indigenous self-government and the experiences in Parliament.

Mr. Laliberte shares his purpose in searching for the proper relationship between the Indigenous Nations and the Canadian Crown. The land dispute in Oka Quebec was the reason he pursued the position of MP for the people of northern Saskatchewan. In representing the Treaty Ten territory he focused on the Mid-Canada region or the Boreal Forest as an under-developed region of Canada and wanted to build the capacity to address the social and economic needs of the residents. Indigenous rights were highlighted by the Royal Commission of Aboriginal Peoples (RCAP) and he highlights a concept of an Aboriginal House of Parliament that he sees as a solution to Canadian sovereignty.

The challenges of creating a Metis, Cree and Dene self-government model that strengthens our Nations and builds on the recognition of rights by the United Nations and Treaties are a priority. He had proposed a change to the motto of Canada to exemplify our founding treaties and nations…"A Nation of Rivers and A River of Nations".

Rick Laliberte (born September 13, 1958) is a Canadian former politician. Laliberte was a Member of Parliament for the riding of Churchill River, a riding that encompasses the northern half of the province of Saskatchewan.