Thank you. I am sorry I was late. The chamber is interesting right now, a number of things going on.

I want to thank you, Chief Bear, for being here. I know that you were not at the House. You look healthy right now. I know that getting here was a bit of a chore.

There is a lot in this bill that is monumental. The first thing I want to ask you is about finally being recognized as an Indigenous nation in Canada, and at the very same time getting to walk away from large parts of the Indian Act.

My first question is about the negotiations with the federal government and the process that you undertook in recognition of your nation. That is something that stands out for me. It was just the preamble. It was not even the best part of the bill.

Except with all of the regressive policies that they seem to capture you in . . . .

I have been with the Government Representative’s office for three years. I have never had senators fighting to be the sponsor of a bill before, and this is a first for us. There was almost arm wrestling going on to see who would get to sponsor this bill because this bill is so monumental and everybody wants to be the one sponsoring this; not so many other bills, but this one, for sure.

No, you won. It could be that too. I do not know. I would have arm wrestled for it. This is a good bill.

I am struck by how you live those relationship teachings. At least in the Cree tradition, we have so many teachings about how we are supposed to act in a relationship. Somehow you have cracked the provincial relationship code. What was your strategy for building relationships with the province in ways that has resulted in such success in your partnership with the province?

Really tough. Thank you very much. It is an honour to be here. I want to congratulate you all for the work you have done.

It is true that all good things come through relationships and you exemplify that. It is lovely to see. Thank you.