Natural Resources committee  We have had a working agreement with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans for the past 25 years. We do scientific work for them. We monitor a lot of things that go on, including the operations of commercial sports-fishing activities, which go unmonitored. Both the province and Canada are responsible for that activity, but there are not enough people on the ground to properly monitor what happens from that side of the salmon harvesting.

Natural Resources committee  The whole purpose of consultation is to overcome certain things. There are things we fully recognize, and the thing I personally recognize is that the courts cannot say that Gitxsan title is stronger than crown title. I can never expect that from the courts. The courts have come back and said that the Gitxsan titleholders can decide to what uses the lands may be put.

Natural Resources committee  The joint review process is just one process that exists. The opportunity to be with this committee is another part of the process of dealing with an issue that's important to our hearts, and that's energy security. There are other processes that are ongoing. We meet with the different people who work not just with the pipeline company but with other people who are involved in development activities who come to our office.

Natural Resources committee  In the process of arriving at a project, it is important for us to realize the establishment of legislative objectives by the crown. The role of this committee and the role of Parliament is critical in enabling things to happen over the long term. The courts set up a process whereby the Supreme Court of Canada reflected on the establishment and the role of legislative objectives in respect of infringing or dealing with titles and rights.

Natural Resources committee  Not as familiar as I am with other....

Natural Resources committee  I don't think they're court-inspired rights. They're rights we have from our own laws.

Natural Resources committee  I wouldn't go as far as saying that all the rights are one and the same because of the locations where we are.

Natural Resources committee  Our nation has been involved in trying to find a way out of our poverty for a number of decades, and that's how we got engaged in the court case known as Delgamuukw. So we have taken every opportunity to look for investment capital or investors to come into our area and help deal with economic opportunities.

Natural Resources committee  There are a couple of answers to that. The Gitxsan Watershed Authorities have a working relationship with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and with the Pacific Salmon Commission. We've developed a lot of scientific studies under contract for those two organizations. As I said earlier, we die on the hill to protect our food supply, our salmon.

Natural Resources committee  Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I want to say a few words in my own official language before I speak to the presentation. (Witness speaks in Gitxsan language) First of all, I want to thank the committee for inviting me. It's an honour to be here to make a presentation on behalf of the chiefs, the simgigat, of the Gitxsan Nation.