You obviously claim victory for some of those things. You're talking about a great list. I'm talking about the other list, the list that first nations communities submitted in relation to the immense failures, so I don't think we're going to get a response from you today that will address the dissatisfaction indigenous people experience with INAC and its former entities—including the entities today. Nonetheless, it's important for me to highlight this paternalistic attitude that continuously placates indigenous communities today. One of the gentlemen who was just present here today said he's been involved in this work for 36 years and hasn't seen any substantial movement or direction in the attitude of civil servants, in particular the deputy ministers—and you occupied...over one-third of that time—toward any substantial change to your own perspective.
To be very frank, Mr. Wernick, you're not an expert in the lived experiences of indigenous people. You're an expert in advising the government on the legislative frameworks that are asked of deputy ministers, and the Indian Act is an example of that. You know, we see, many times, instances when—on termination policy, for example—you would have been subject to these ideas. Harold Cardinal, a famous philosopher and indigenous person in my community.... The last time a Trudeau tried to tell first nations in Alberta, “We're going to do away with the Indian Act,” he responded with the “red paper”. Have you ever read the red paper?