[Member spoke in Mi'kmaq as follows:]
Welalieg otji logoeoagen telatoog ag logeoagen tan gisatoog.
[Mi'kmaq text translated as follows:]
Thank you for the work you are doing and the work you have done.
[English]
I just wanted to thank you in my language.
This has been a difficult week for most of us, but for you this was your reality for years, listening to this and hearing this.
This emergency meeting was to help us reflect and understand based on your knowledge. We felt it was important to hear from you, as you live this every day.
There are so many questions as Canadians are going through the grief, the shock, the denial and the pain. Indigenous people are going through the same and are triggered, asking why: Why was our language, why was our culture, and why were our lives so insignificant? Why were we such a threat that this is what we went through?
I think your reflections have really helped us, and your words and recommendations continue to guide our work. We're going to be working hard in this committee to make sure the recommendations are implemented in full.
Thank you.