I have a very quick question.
One of the big issues I've had to deal with as an aboriginal leader in the past and in this role right now--and I raised it in the last committee meeting--is myths. The media and the general public largely say that this gap that exists is the fault of the first nations and Métis students. This is something that troubles me, because sometimes blame is assigned to the aboriginal community. This is a big problem because it demoralizes and it draws attention away from some real solutions that could be focused on, because there are success stories out there.
We've all acknowledged that the waiting lists are long, that the funding growth has been 2%, and yet the population growth has been three or four times that amount annually.
How do you think the department can help tackle this myth? Aside from increasing the funding, do you think there is a role for a department of government to actually get the right message out there? This message is so damaging and so blaming that it actually constricts. Do you see a role for the department to try to change that myth?