National Defence committee  We're not biased against any one department as long as we can have a meaningful relationship with a federal government department that's really respecting our wishes. I think with INAC, it's more related to the human dimension, which we often talk about, whereas Defence would be more in terms of the military.

National Defence committee  Thank you for your question. Anything that will reduce the cost of living up north is of interest to us. The building of small harbours is part of that, so we support the idea that more than one would be built. Going back to what you were saying about the Northwest Passage opening up, just to illustrate how we see the partnership that needs to be built around what's happening, that could be related to climate change, because many things are changing.

National Defence committee  Yes, they should be included in the entire strategy, because as I said, we face the same challenges as other Inuit do in the territories. This strategy is really devoted to the two territories. It's devoted to Nunavut and the Northwest Territories, which includes the Inuvialuit region.

National Defence committee  So we don't even know how that's going to be addressed. In Nunatsiavut, in northern Labrador, they are also within the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, so it's not included either. Our position is that we want those regions to be included. John is going to say a couple of words.

National Defence committee  I think I'll let John answer part of that question, but I will start by saying it's more than symbolic. It has had the effect, where countries have signed, of starting to help shape the domestic policies within those countries. Countries that have embraced it are using it as a standard-setting process within their borders, so it's a very useful tool.

National Defence committee  It is Nunatsiavut.

National Defence committee  Yes.

National Defence committee  Thank you very much for your question. That is a very important question for ITK, because we represent the four regions, which include Nunavik and Nunatsiavut. When the strategy was announced, we did write to the Prime Minister and to Minister Strahl about the need to be comprehensive in terms of encompassing all Inuit regions.

National Defence committee  Thank you very much for your question. One of the key elements of this partnership-building that we're talking about between governments and Inuit is premised on the fact that we have settled all our land claims agreements. These land claims agreements are very comprehensive in nature and they were signed between all parties.

National Defence committee  No, there is no report card per se that is presented on an annual basis. We have asked the Government of Canada to establish a report card type of process. We raised this also with the premiers through the premiers' meeting, the confederation meeting. We've also raised it with different ministers within the Government of Canada.

National Defence committee  In terms of crossing the boundaries of Canada, no, we work within Canada, as Canadian Inuit. We have relationships that we're building with other Inuit globally on issues such as the environment and education, but we work within the perimeters of Canada. In terms of the honour of the crown, maybe John can answer this in a more fulsome way, but the honour of the crown is very relevant to Inuit.

National Defence committee  Okay. The world will increasingly tie assertions of sovereignty to questions involving other expectations of the international community, including expectations as to the treatment of aboriginal minorities and regard for key environmental considerations. Inuit are a patient and practical people.

National Defence committee  Thank you very much, and good morning. Congratulations on your election as chair. I would like to first of all thank the standing committee for the invitation to appear today to speak to the topic of Arctic sovereignty. You've mentioned that I have about five to seven minutes.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Maybe I can also respond to that. When you talk about nation to nation, that is precisely where we're starting from. As original people of the country, we fought very hard to get very basic recognition of aboriginal treaty rights in the Canadian Constitution in the 1980s. We have a relationship with the Crown, and the Crown has a fiduciary responsibility toward aboriginal people.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Yes, I did say that, and there was a reason. It seemed to us this summer that the word “Kelowna” brought very negative feedback in trying to address the needs our people are facing. I was being interviewed, and I made the comment that I didn't care what you called it as long as the government lived up to its commitment to address and meet the commitments that were made in November last year in British Columbia.