Good afternoon members, witnesses, and guests.
We are here for the 41st meeting of the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development. We're continuing our study of the first nations child and family services.
We're welcoming today the national chief. It's great to have National Chief Shawn Atleo with us this afternoon.
I'd like to first say that I apologize to our witnesses and guests as well for the late start here this afternoon. This is what occasionally happens—and this is essentially out of our control—when the parties take a decision to move the votes around. Normally the votes this afternoon would have been at 5:30, at the end of the meeting. We get off to a bit of a late start on Wednesdays as it is. In any case, I apologize for the lateness of our meeting.
I'd also like to welcome Cindy Blackstock. Cindy is here representing the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada.
As we customarily do, we begin with statements by each of the—