Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
Thank you to our guests this morning.
I am a farmer, and basically this study is trying to bring out the ways in which our aboriginal and indigenous communities can find their way into that particular industry. It is great to hear about their issues and concerns. I've spent a number of years with Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, so I have heard about many of these things, including the nutrition north program and the concerns and issues that are there. One thing that I believe is important, as someone in the beef industry, is to recognize that there are some traditional kinds of industries out there. The same things that are associated with northerners for the types of food in their diets are significant for all. The only political pitch is Canada's food guide, which seems to be moving away from those things that traditionally are part of our diets.
Mr. Penner, you were speaking about how to get people into farming without that top-down pressure. As someone who grew up in it, and with my family's history of hundreds of years of farming, I'm curious about how you can create the things necessary to encourage the aboriginal community to get the engagement they require. We've heard of different ways. They can go to school, and maybe it would be a good idea to get 10% interested in farming, but you have to love it. You have to love that side of it as well.
Can you give me some ideas as to how that can be done from the ground up rather than from the government down?