Good morning, everyone. I call this meeting to order.
Welcome to meeting number 137 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs.
As always, I want to start by acknowledging that we are gathered on the ancestral and unceded territories of the Algonquin Anishinabe people and by expressing gratitude that we're able to do the important work of this committee on lands that they've stewarded since time immemorial.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the motion adopted by the committee on Tuesday, February 1, 2022, and the order of reference of Tuesday, November 19, 2024, the committee is resuming its study of the barriers to indigenous economic development.
I would like to welcome our witness today. We have Chief Lance Haymond from the Kebaowek First Nation. Thank you very much for attending this morning.
To start, Chief, you will have five minutes for your opening statement, and then we'll proceed to questions from members of the committee.
Chief Haymond, I'll turn the floor over to you.