Chief Sol Sanderson from Saskatchewan and David Ahenakew and others as my colleague says. There are so many. We owe them so much.
We must consider that before us in the next number of years probably the most important social issue will be the relationship between aboriginal people and non-aboriginal people and sorting out this complex and growing relationship.
I refer to the emerging reality of self-government, of self-determination and of self-reliance for aboriginal peoples, the resolution of land claims, cultural preservation, social and economic development, educational training and general cultural advancement.
I acknowledge the minister of Indian and northern affairs who has in his own way provided much needed leadership in a variety of these areas.
When we look at the last 18 months, there have been significant advancements in terms of a move toward self-government, self-determination and self-reliance, particularly for progressive Indian bands across the country to say nothing of the Inuit, Dene and Metis advancements as well.
In order to permit my hon. colleague to say a few words, I will conclude my remarks by saying that at a crucial time in the First Nation's evolution in our part of North America, it is very appropriate for us as parliamentarians on behalf of those we represent to extend a hand in acknowledgement of the contributions made by the First Nations.
We must tell them we recognize and appreciate those accomplishments and that we would like to work co-operatively, positively together for the advancement not only of aboriginal peoples across Canada but Canadians generally. We do acknowledge the existence of First Nations and what that entails.
I would like to finish my remarks by referring to the Indian Act and how this act, in my judgment, was a lie from the beginning. The lie is betrayed in the first line of the act: "This is an act respecting Indian people". This was not an act respecting Indian people and it is for that reason I ask my colleagues to extend a hand now and recognize June 21 as a solidarity day for aboriginal peoples.