As we began, obviously a distinctions-based approach is hugely important to first nations, Inuit, and Métis. Métis had felt that they'd been left out in the shadows as the forgotten people for a very long time. Inuit had their land claims, but a lot of what was in the land claims, whether that's language or some of the other things that they've been very concerned about, has not been implemented. You end up with the first nations being at various parts in the continuum towards self-determination, and we need to be able to have different approaches depending on where they are, from totally self-governing to not even beginning.
The key is culture and language. Without culture and language, without a secure personal cultural identity.... That is your resilience, your self-esteem, and your ability to go forward. Whether it's health, education, or child welfare, there needs to be that cultural safety that allows a child to grow up to be a proud first nations, Inuit, or Métis person. A distinctions-based approach is very important, as we've learned from pan-aboriginal approaches that just don't work. That's why, whether it's housing, indigenous health, skills and training, post-secondary, or particularly early learning and child care, they want a separate fund that will make sure that their people do well in a culturally safe way. Again, as we look to the urban issues, that is becoming really telling as to the kind of distinctions-based approach that we will need in urban strategies.
