Well, I think the broad framework of inviting first nations of the host areas of your communities but also across Canada--representative of reconciliation and how this country has developed--would be fitting. An appropriate role in the ceremonies, being associated with the ceremonies, is very important in our culture, of course, and in most first nation cultures, as is recognizing each other, the sharing of gifts and of extensions of peace and relationship, whether through treaty or simply through ongoing engagements. I think that would be an important kind of practical opportunity there.
We have traditions of coming together in ceremonies and also socially, like powwows and things of that nature, so it would be a very interesting dynamic to have these kinds of arts and festival relationships engaged as well.
I think a lot of people may come with a little lighter agenda when they come to this committee, particularly for Canada's 150th, and we've reflected a lot about it, about whether we simply talk about the ceremonial events that are incredibly important. This department has some responsibilities around languages, arts, and culture that could certainly feed into this and are critical. I think we also need to put down our placeholders, though, to say, “This is where the relationship is and this is where we need to go”.
I'm a chief operating officer, so I'm very operationally focused. I think we need the bigger thinkers among us to help drive that vision forward, but if we have the framework, it's certainly going to help facilitate a more inclusive relationship. Again, 150 years from now, let's look back and see where we are, and hopefully we won't be seeing the same things on the news.