Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I'd like to thank the witnesses for their testimony so far today.
I come from a first nations community in the Mi'kma'ki called Eskasoni, where we have our own health care unit as well as our own mental health. I know that they're hard-working folks and they've at times come to me with very important asks about the importance of having a health care system that's culturally relevant and in the Mi'kmaq language. It's really important that, when we move forward, it's in a way that's reflective of the indigenous cultures in that area.
I'm very happy to see that, in the most recent budget, 2022, we provided $227 million over two years, starting in 2023, to maintain trauma-informed, culturally appropriate, indigenous-led services to improve mental wellness and support efforts initiated through budget 2021 to “co-develop distinctions-based mental health and wellness strategies.”
I'm wondering if the witnesses could talk a little bit about the importance of ensuring that the health care system is culturally appropriate and reflective of the various indigenous cultures across Canada. I think if we can start in the room that would be a good starting point.