I'd like to acknowledge the speakers before me, who really highlighted some important topics and points. Thank you for allowing me to explain a bit further as well.
It's important to acknowledge that the language presented by Hayden is an opt-in, nation-to-nation opportunity to implement these agreements. Yes, consultation is important. We cannot negate consultation. However, we have a solution in front of us that I think works.
I want to tell a quick story. This is the reason I am not there today.
I was at a ceremony last night in my community for our children aged zero to five to welcome them to our community. We blanketed each of our children, provided them with headbands and brought them back to our community in a very cultural way, which, quite frankly, we fund. Because we're economically self-sufficient, we decide who the children of our community are.
To what the previous speakers have shared with us, there is a fundamental disconnect between that and what the Indian Act currently says. It is discriminatory. It does have language that separates.
Thank you. I just wanted to share that.