In response to that, we did have some conversations. Ms. Priddy asked about three steps. The cooperative participation has to be done without strings attached, though.
You heard Mike mention 22 laws that were sent up, and they were all kicked back. It shouldn't have to take six years for this document to be recognized by your government. Once it's recognized by our people, it stays within our jurisdiction to enforce. It was very nice of us and courteous--I will use that term--to continue to forward documents after the 22 were rejected. We are trying to remain respectful of what the government asks of us. But the government asks so much, and it takes so long to get anything done as far as agreements or recognition. That's part of the problem.
We have intelligent people. We have Mohawk lawyers. We have doctors. We are good-minded, good decision-making people ourselves, and we really consult with our communities. We don't just pick up the phone or sit in on one RCMP meeting and turn around and tell the federal government that we consulted with them, that we sat with the chief of police. That's not consultation.
Going back to the laws themselves, again, I go back to the fact that we have a draft. We have a draft, and within our community it is going to govern the manufacture, distribution, and sale of tobacco products in our territory. But it shouldn't take six, 10, or 15 years to accomplish agreements.
I use the example of our JIT, which is mentioned in the report. It took six years, from 1995 to 2001, for us to get funding for that project. That's absolutely ridiculous, six years, knowing that our police department has been in existence for 35 years. They were trained by the province and have attended RCMP courses, top courses of the RCMP too. It shouldn't take six years for everything that happens here.
Thank you.