Finance committee  In my little community, the best way I illustrate that is by the story of my dad and my mother. They are the first nations Brady Bunch. My dad had three kids and my mom had three kids. They got married. My dad's house was too small, so he built a larger house right beside his first house.

Finance committee  In my community, it's near zero, if not zero. I have one person on social assistance. That's Old Sue. She's got her grandkids, and we all hunt and fish for her. She's a lot of fun. As for the youth, one of my nephews tried to sneak in to get a welfare cheque. They brought it to us and I said, “No, you go out and literally cut trees down, buck wood, and sell it”.

Finance committee  I hope you do.

Finance committee  Thank you.

Finance committee  Thank you, James. You brought an Olympian, that's good; I'll remember that the next time I come.

Finance committee  Mr. Chair, it's a privilege to have an opportunity to appear before the Standing Committee on Finance. We both have a difficult challenge, you and I. We're both elected to make Canadians' lives better: you for Canada and me for my community back home. I'm the chief of the Whispering Pines/Clinton Indian Band.