I think that, a lot of times, especially when things are happening in our territories and homelands, we want to make sure we are part of it, as far as taking the leading role and making sure.... We know what we want. We know how we live. We've known for many years—since time immemorial—what our community needs.
It wasn't until we hired an engineering firm that the government believed we required a brand new water plant. My community has been saying that we need a new water plant since 1995. It wasn't until we made that demand, after we were evacuated.... We said that the only way we were going home is.... We need a table so that we can have those positive discussions and work off them. Those things didn't happen for a while. Of course, one of our demands was to get what actually happened: an investigation about a water plant. Since then, science proved that Neskantaga needed a water plant. That's when the government started saying, “Yes, you guys do need a water plant.” We've been saying that all along.
It's almost the same thing. We need to take the leading role. We need to work in partnership too. There are unlimited things we can do if we work together.