[Member spoke in Inuktitut, interpreted as follows:]
Good morning.
First of all, I want to recognize that today is International Inuit Day. I am proud as an Inuit that we are recognized. I hope that you will be able to share this message. Our fellow Inuit are resilient and strong, surviving in the harsh Arctic. We come here today because of their strength, the strength of the Inuit.
Our language was being eradicated, so I am proud to be able to speak my language here in this committee. I'm also grateful to this committee for giving me the opportunity to speak Inuktitut. We have an interpreter provided, so I will begin.
NDP-22 was given to us by the Assembly of First Nations. I want to remind you who gave us the proposal for this amendment. I identify who gave us the proposal to remind you that when you vote the amendments down, you are voting down their proposals.
Only 31% the first nations were consulted when Bill C-61 was being developed. There were a whole bunch of first nations who were not included. First nations will be affected by this, so what they want to see protected will have an impact on this if it is to go ahead. Let's recognize where these proposals come from.
NDP-22 states that indigenous people have distinct cultures. If they do not come to an agreement, they can try to work it out together. They want this to be in your considerations regarding fresh water protection. It's to include their language and their culture. It follows that when there are amendments to be agreed on, first nations' laws should be considered.
Thank you.