Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I can't give you a definitive answer, because I don't know what is being discussed or put out there. I've heard about a Kelowna-like agreement. I can tell you that I was the national head of the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples at the Kelowna meeting, and I could not sign on to sup

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  That's a very good question. Two of the main priorities, as we progress in our work within the congress, are our elders and our youth. We have a youth council. We counsel with elders just about every time we meet. Whenever there is a major meeting or an annual assembly, we invite

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Yes, it does, with the exception that, for us, it is always a resource issue because our people are scattered about. To show respect for our elders, we have to provide for them. The resources that are available are often a big issue.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  No, we weren't.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Not to any great length. Again, it goes back to the issue of resources. You hit on a point. It's a known problem, the high rate of suicides within the indigenous populations of the country. It's about time we were provided with the kinds of necessary resources to effectively add

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Unfortunately, because of time I couldn't get into that, but in the last few pages of my presentation, I talk about the political accord that the congress has with the federal government. It's been in place for over 20 years now. It lists a lot of the key agenda items: health, ho

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  You can get it through our office.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Yes, for sure.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  For one thing, there has to be a real, closer working relationship with provincial governments, if you are talking about the people that we advocate for and represent, because of the jurisdiction of education within the provinces. However, having said that, one of the big issues

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Okay, thank you. I expect to be meeting soon with the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, to talk about our own nation-building strategy. The congress is in political accord with the government and the road map for renewal and reconci

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  All right, I'll make one final point for your information. As of today—

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  My final remark is that as of today the congress has gone through a rebranding process. We will now be the Indigenous Peoples’ Assembly of Canada. Thank you.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and members of the committee. I thank you for inviting me here today. I also would first like to acknowledge the Algonquin people on whose traditional ancestral homelands we are assembled today. I have appeared before this committee and other standing