Absolutely, and I'll mirror or echo some of the things the president already said. The reason these indigenous-specific opportunities are established and designed is to create equality where equality has not been. Colonization has done an amazing job of keeping indigenous people from having every opportunity to have economic sovereignty and growth within their communities—both educationally and economically—and health, etc. These opportunities are absolutely essential in working towards truth and reconciliation as a country. For us, for indigenous people, it is always about: How do we protect? How do we support? How do we move our communities forward?
On December 5th, 2024. See this statement in context.