I call this meeting to order.
Good afternoon, everyone. Welcome to the 57th meeting of the Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs.
We acknowledge that we meet on the unceded, unsurrendered territory of the Algonquin Anishinabe peoples.
Today's meeting is taking place in a hybrid format, pursuant to the House order of Thursday, June 23, 2022. Members are attending in person in the room and remotely using the Zoom application.
The proceedings will be made available via the House of Commons website. Just so that you are aware, the webcast will always show the person speaking rather than the entire committee.
For those participating virtually, I would like to outline a few rules to follow. You may speak in the official language of your choice. Interpretation services are available for this meeting in French, English and Inuktitut. You have the choice at the bottom of your screen of either floor, Inuktitut, English or French. Please select your language now.
If interpretation is lost at any time, please inform me immediately, and we will ensure that interpretation is properly restored before resuming the proceedings.
For members participating in person, proceed as you usually would when the whole committee is meeting in person in a committee room.
Before speaking, please wait until I recognize you by name. If you are on video conference, please click on the microphone icon to unmute yourself. For those in the room, your mike will be controlled as normal by the proceedings and verification officer.
A reminder that all comments by members and witnesses should be addressed through the chair.
When speaking, please speak slowly and clearly. When you're not speaking, your mike should be on mute.
With regard to a speaking list, the committee clerk and I will do the best we can to maintain a consolidated order of speaking for all members, whether they are participating virtually or in person.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted by the committee on November 21, 2022, the committee is resuming its important study on improving the graduation rates of indigenous students.
Today in our first panel we welcome Lois Philipp, former teacher and administrator, in person. Thank you for joining us.
We welcome David Rattray, former teacher, by video conference, and Helen Bobiwash, accountant, also by video conference.
Thank you so much for giving us your time today. You'll each have five minutes for your opening remarks.
Ms. Philipp, you'll start us off. You have five minutes.