Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Can I make one statement before we leave? We travelled a long way to come and see you all, and I think if you could give any one of us just a closing statement before we leave.... We'll never see any of you again, most likely.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I'm happy to meet Lori, and I'm very grateful for that, but one closing statement, if I may....

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  It's in response to the question that was posed to all of us here. The one thing that needs to be taken into consideration is the uniqueness of every first nation across Canada. We have over 600 first nations, but our issues are not the same. We may be related, but we're not the same.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  If you don't mind, perhaps I could address the comment.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  At the end of the day, the federal government and the Blackfoot nations signed onto a treaty in 1877. Alberta came into Confederation in 1905. Our agreement is not with the province. In terms of anything that happens on the federal lands, what part do we feel the federal government ought to play?

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Thank you very much for having us here today. I am Piikani Nation Chief Troy Knowlton. It's Troy “Bossman” Knowlton, which is how the people back home know me. My traditional name is Bear Head. I'll read a little bit here, and then I'll just add a little bit. I'd like to thank the committee for ensuring that Piikani Nation and other Blackfoot nations have the opportunity to speak to you about Bill C-61.