Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, National Chief, for coming before us today. I really appreciate your reminder that the process that happened with the Assembly of First Nations was around facilitating dialogue, but in no way is it to be construed as contracting out the duty to consult. I think it's a good reminder to all of us that it is the crown's responsibility around duty to consult, and this is certainly a good process but cannot be construed as fulfilling the duty to consult on the government's part. So I really appreciate that clarification.
There are a couple of points that I wonder if you could address. In an analysis--again this information is available on the department's website--a substantial number of claims are in the loop already. It seems to me there needs to be a radical increase in resources. I know this is outside of the Assembly of First Nations' purview.
Another important piece of what you've talked about is political agreement. I wonder if you could talk a little about the steps that need to be in place to ensure that political agreement moves forward. I know there's a good deal of good faith, but as I'm sure you're aware, I've spoken about the fact that political agreements in the past have been disregarded by governments of various stripes. What in your view needs to happen to make sure that moves forward?
When Professor Schwartz came before the committee he talked about oversight. I wonder if you have some views about the kind of oversight role this committee or another body might play prior to the five-year review, because I think the devil is truly in the details. I think everybody would like to see this process move forward, and I wonder if you have some thoughts on that.