Thank you for inviting me to this committee today to speak on behalf of not only indigenous prosperity but also indigenous rights. I am here today to let this committee know that indigenous voices have been excluded in really important discussions on climate change as well as the natural resource sector.
In the west, this sector has employed a large number of indigenous people. It has also helped entrepreneurs develop businesses and become self-sufficient. The regulations, bills and acts that have been implemented to hinder or even stop resource development have negatively impacted indigenous communities.
This industry has taken me out of poverty. It has allowed me to have a career since the age of 20. This industry is also in remote communities and rural communities. It has brought jobs, skills and training to people who wouldn't have access to this otherwise. I think we need to be included in climate initiatives—not trying to hinder resource development, but actually coming up with solutions to the resource development. We've been involved in conversations around carbon capture that would benefit large-scale operations like the oil sands. It would also work in other industries like agriculture. Anything with a smokestack could implement the use of carbon capture if this technology is developed.
We're also looking at liquefied natural gas. This would reduce coal usage. If we're going to get to net zero, we have to start working with industry to get to net zero. There isn't one answer that will solve this. I think indigenous people bringing in their traditional knowledge, as well as industry knowledge, can get Canada to net zero. But voices like mine aren't heard. They're often shut out because we are pro-development. I think this idea needs to change. I think we have to bring more experts into these discussions, whether on the policy end, operations end, or even on the financial end of things, because this would benefit not only our communities; it would also benefit Canada as a whole.
Another issue in indigenous communities that I want to bring up is poverty. Poverty is the number one issue of our social issues. My community has a poverty rate of 80%. This is something that's not going to be easily solved with skills or jobs training. We have to figure out how this money is being used. We have to figure out where it's going, if it's going to indigenous people, and we have to look at the outcome. How many jobs did this bring communities? We have to look at what the result is. This is absolutely not happening in communities.
I left my community 20 years ago. When I go back home to visit, it's exactly the same. The people who had jobs at the gas station still have jobs at the gas station. We need to invest in these communities the way they see fit. Some communities are close to urban areas, so it's a lot easier for them to have economic development. But communities like mine, that are rural and that really don't have a lot, we have to come up with solutions. This is where indigenous engagement is important.
I'm here to speak on behalf of indigenous people who aren't normally part of these conversations. I think going forward, part of reconciliation is including indigenous people. If you don't have them at your committee, on your boards, you're not going to get the full picture of what's happening on the grassroots level. I hope this changes and that together we can build an even greater Canada. I believe with our participation, we can definitely achieve our goals on climate change and employment. We can change the numbers all around.
I thank you once again for inviting me.