Thank you, Mr. Speaker, honourable Members. Mr. Speaker, spruce hen are dark on the outside, but after cleaning the meat can be red or white. So, for the purpose of my statement, I'm going to call the red meat chickens, "Indian chickens," and the white meat chickens, "white chickens." You can never tell by looking at one of these birds what colour the meat will be on the inside. Mr. Speaker, as an expert on wildlife, I know that when you simmer an Indian chicken long enough, the meat will turn white.

The chicken doesn't stand alone, Mr. Speaker, in this case. There is also Indian pork that turns to pork chops and also the Indian calf that turns to veal. Mr. Speaker, my people are a lot like the spruce hen in this respect. They are in this great melting pot, being overwhelmed by white cultural influence, at the detriment of their own culture.

Mr. Speaker, the pot is boiling and the Indian chickens are getting well-done. We may not be able to put out the fire under the pot. Mr. Speaker, I urge this government to support programs, like the DCI's healing program I spoke about earlier this week, programs that encourage cultural awareness amongst aboriginal people. It is a proven fact, Mr. Speaker, that people who have pride in their heritage and pride in themselves are less of a strain upon social programs. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause.