A group on Walpole Island is seeking community feedback to help with the development of a new law.
Back in September, the Walpole Island Chief and Council created a working group made up of four councillors and one team leader to address the imposition of the Federal Homes on Reserves Act, which deals with Matrimonial Real Property on reserves.
Matrimonial real property refers mainly to the family home where both spouses or common-law partners live during a marriage or common-law relationship.
Generally, provincial and territorial laws protect the matrimonial real property interests and rights of both spouses or common-law partners during a relationship, or in the event of separation, divorce or death.
However, these provincial and territorial laws have not applied on reserves.
The new legislation was introduced to address this long-standing and unacceptable legislative gap.
It was decided by Walpole Island Chief and Council that input was needed in order to create a law that respects the native culture and traditions.
Back in December the Matrimonial Real Property working group held their first meeting to share information about the proposed process for seeking the input.
The plan included two community engagement sessions.
The first was held on Saturday, January 10 and the next one is coming up on Saturday, January 31.
This meeting will take place at the Walpole Island Sports Complex at 1 p.m.
The Matrimonial Real Property working group are also scheduling focus groups for people to provide ideas, comments, questions, concerns, or suggestions in a smaller group or family setting.
Anyone interested in taking part in a focus group, can contact one of the following group members:
– Arlene Dodge, Team Lead: 519-628-5222 or wifnmrplaw@gmail.com
– Councilor Rex Isaac: rex.isaac@wifn.org
– Councilor Daintry Kewayosh: daintry.kewayosh@wifn.org
– Councilor Muriel Sampson: muriel.sampson@wifn.org
– Councilor Chris Riley: chris.riley@wifn.org
..Walpole Island was Ceded to our family.