Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
I want to begin briefly on two personal notes and echo some sentiments that have been shared already.
To Grand Chief Kennedy, it's a pleasure to be with you here this morning. As the sole Manitoba representative around the table, I can certainly share the feelings of many in Parliament and across the province of our grief and shock about the passing of Chief Merrick. I'm very much looking forward to working with you and continuing the legacy, path and vision that she set forward as you undertake these important responsibilities as grand chief of the AMC.
Chief Woodhouse, this is a special moment for me, because you and I have known each other since we were 15 years old. I have seen you work hard and grow into an inspiring and meaningful leader. Much of my understanding of our history as it pertains to first nations people, our public policy development and our path towards truth and reconciliation has been informed by the mentorship, guidance and friendship that you have provided to me over the years. To be with you in this capacity is quite special to me.
I want to take a step back, National Chief, and ask you to more broadly address the evolution in the past number of years of where we have come on this water file, in your view. As regional chief, it was one that you invested a fair amount of time in developing.
I'm wondering if you can provide some commentary about how you have seen the evolution of our public policy around the protection of first nations' rights, particularly as it pertains to water, from your time as regional chief, and then where we're at here today as we're talking about implementing the legislation found in Bill C-61.