Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, Chief, for being here with your delegation.
I have a northern Ontario riding with a very large number of first nations, so I really appreciate your testimony today.
I notice you made reference to the addition to reserve, or, as it's sometimes known, return to reserve lands. I know it's not in the bill, but when the government made its press release on this bill, they mentioned that work was to commence on the return to reserves. Actually, you mentioned in your brief that there are no concrete details.
Since the writing of this presentation, have you had any indication at all on the addition to reserves piece that is to follow?
I know I have a couple of first nations for whom this is very important—it's at the bottom of page 7 of your presentation. I'm thinking of Mississaugi First Nation, between Sudbury and the Soo.
If you don't have anything to add to your comments here, that's fine. No? Okay.
Well, it's a very important piece, and the government did mention that it would follow this up with first nations in future consultations.
I'll move to the issue of resources. First nations don't usually have extra money around to do the research to support their claims, and the first nations are using limited resources to do detailed historical research that is often beyond their ability. I know in the case of Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve on Manitoulin Island, they've been dealing with a couple of claims for a long time.
Do you feel some comfort, any comfort, that going forward under the new regime you will have access to the resources you need to properly present and support your cases?