Thank you, Chair.
I will share my opening remarks with Dr. Myrle Ballard, who is my colleague here today.
I will start by saying that science in and of itself is the method we use to understand our physical and natural environment, through measurement, through observation and through experimentation.
In the scientific community, it has become very clear that we need to take an interdisciplinary approach, one that considers different knowledge systems, such as western science and indigenous science.
Indigenous people have been valued partners of the government in conserving and protecting our environment. This partnership also includes participation in international delegations to groups like the IPCC—the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change—and the IPBES, which is Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services. Their contribution to Canada's international work has been extremely valued and has been leading in that since.
Early last year, the department created an indigenous science division, which is indigenous-led by Dr. Ballard. It is meant to advance and consider indigenous knowledge systems at the same time as we progress in looking at western science. Our goal is to make sure that we consider all knowledge systems at the same time when we start our work.
Indigenous science brings together traditional knowledge. It brings together long-term observations of our physical and natural environment. It has a perspective of looking at cumulative impacts on ecosystems and at the multiple stressors affecting our environment. It is really a value-based approach, a holistic approach to the environment, as well as an interdisciplinary approach.
I will stop here and just state that this is a journey for us. We are committed to including indigenous science and to considering knowledge systems from the start and throughout the work we do as a department.
I will turn it over to Dr. Ballard.