Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I'd like to thank the witnesses for coming.
Chief Phillips, and Chief Tsannie, thank you for coming, and thank you to the elder as well for coming here to testify today before the committee.
I have a couple of things to say, Chief Phillips. During our study, we travelled in British Columbia, and in Saskatchewan just last week. We saw some of the economic benefits. But it's also been quite disheartening. We travelled to Muskeg Lake and to the Whitecap Dakota First Nation. With my home first nations, we had the opportunity to build a casino right in Saskatoon. However, what transpired with that and the City of Saskatoon is neither here nor there.
But we saw the opportunity that the Whitecap Dakota had and the steps they had taken to build a casino about 20 minutes outside the city limits. We've seen now the economic benefits, such as a golf course, which I believe will be paid off next year. I believe it's six or seven years that it's been in play. They're making arrangements to build a new clubhouse, but first they want to pay off the mortgage so that they can have a mortgage-burning party—and then go back into debt again and build a new clubhouse.
We've also seen, in terms of economic benefits, that they're proposing a new multi-unit hotel with major, major conference centres that will outshine Saskatoon, or anything that's available in Saskatoon.
Now, you've mentioned a couple of times here, just in regard to some economic development opportunities...and in terms of the casino, it's disheartening, seeing about $50 million go out the door. But you mentioned, too, another $50 million just with regard to a seaport.
With the ATR, I'm just wondering what other opportunities your band is looking at in terms of economic opportunities. Like, we hear about these big million-dollar opportunities. Can you provide some examples, first, of the type of moneys the first nation is bringing in currently, second, how they are addressing the needs of maybe enhancing further land in their community?