Thank you, Mr. Chairman. To Mr. Koe, about his question regarding what is in the budget for Metis health benefits. There is $200,000 in the current budget, to do the enumeration of the Metis. This is a critical requirement, before we look at enhanced health benefits, and we are going to do that in cooperation with the Metis Nation. That is under way in the current fiscal year.
I just want to say on the non-insured, I have noted Mr. Nerysoo's advice about the need to have negotiators who may be independent from the process.
As far as planning for health care needs in the Inuvik region, I did have good discussions with the board and executive recently about their desire to make this a priority. We are hoping we can get the first phase under way, as early as January. This would be the needs assessment, the profile of the region, health status, what the wishes of the people are for health services, and it is clearly a priority of the board, and I will be working with them in that connection.
Mr. Chairman, I should not ignore Mr. Nerysoo's critical comments about the process for appointment for the board chair. Let us say that I have learned something from this experience. I have had an opportunity to work with the Gwich'in Tribal Council, and the I.R.C. while in Inuvik, and encouraged them to become involved in the restructuring of the Inuvik board, which is being considered. I hope that I will have their input, and cooperation in developing a new, and more effective board. It seems that we are pointing towards a strong executive committee mechanism. I hope their concerns about involvement, and representation, can at least be addressed as we look at restructuring the board.