Canadian Heritage committee  We work closely together. It's just for the collection, remember. The Canada Council gives grants. We don't give grants; we just purchase art for the collection.

Canadian Heritage committee  I know. I am too.

Canadian Heritage committee  Yes. For example, somebody asked a question about the Inuit Art Foundation. They get a contribution grant to publish a quarterly, which is internationally known. It's an amazing magazine. I wish the same kind of contribution would go into first nations. It's difficult for them. It's even difficult for the Inuit Art Foundation to get money from Canadian Heritage.

Canadian Heritage committee  Well, “Gathering Strength” really stressed a collaboration, a partnership with first nations. I was told there are strict rules in addressing this committee, so I didn't want to make anything up. I went to our Internet site and went to our publications and got the information that's there.

Canadian Heritage committee  Yes.

Canadian Heritage committee  We do, but not directly. We do it through the academics. We have a very strong connection with academics all across Canada. They come to us to do research, because of the long history that we have in the collection and the information for the collection. We're involved with them at all levels—teaching, seminars, workshops.

Canadian Heritage committee  I'm not sure. I didn't really look into it, but you need money to do all these things, and I wish we had it.

Canadian Heritage committee  And Métis art.

Canadian Heritage committee  That's right.

Canadian Heritage committee  No.

Canadian Heritage committee  I had to go over it quickly because I didn't have much time. The Inuit Art Foundation was set up to take over the marketing and promotions that Indian and Northern Affairs was doing in the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s. By the time the northern programs were developed and had begun devolving to Nunavut during its creation, the Inuit Art Foundation was already in existence.

Canadian Heritage committee  For core funding.

Canadian Heritage committee  It's for administration and board meetings—because they have to bring Inuit representatives from the north for meetings—and the publication of Indian Art Quarterly, and for a training program for urban Inuit in the arts.

Canadian Heritage committee  Just Inuit art, yes.

Canadian Heritage committee  No.