Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to share my view on the Government of Canada's approach to a new policy vision for a Shared Arctic Leadership Model. A Shared Arctic Leadership Model with reconciliation work on a renewed Inuit to Crown relationship and the ever-increasing impacts of climate change across the Arctic is an important time for Canada and Canadians to show leadership. Mr. Speaker, the empowerment of Indigenous organizations and governance structures in Canada plays an important role within the overall governance structures created by Inuit through local and regional governments the Canadian Inuit voice to the international stage, including the United Nations and the Arctic Council.
Having the full and meaningful capacity to contribute to important dialogues is very different than simply having a "seat at the table." We must move beyond the "seat at the table" approach to one that truly supports and enhances Inuit capacity to contribute nationally and internationally. In the spring of this year, the Inuit of Canada wrote to Minister Bennett and also submitted a proposal to Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada with a request to recognize this inflation when determining the level of funding for circumpolar priorities.
We have yet to receive a response, but remain steadfast in our belief that a fair and reasonable increase to support Inuit in Canada, indexed to inflation, would enhance our collective contributions at important international fora and other requests for engagement, including those from the Shared Arctic Leadership Model. The result of the status quo is that our organizations are forced to invest an inordinate amount of time in proposal development and report writing, simply to 'keep the lights on' is not the best use of our collective time and energy when it could be devoted directly to working with the Government of Canada on the opportunities and challenges facing Inuit nationally and internationally.
Mr. Speaker, adequate resourcing of Indigenous organizations will ensure the capacity is present to address the substantial issues before us as we encourage you to include this as a fundamental foundational aspect of the report.
A Shared Arctic Leadership Model has meaningful relations between Inuit and the Crown at its core. We must recognize what we have done to date has not generally served Indigenous people well. All people involved from politicians to the technical and working level need to generally care about the improved social health outcomes for Inuit. Mr. Speaker, at this time I seek unanimous consent to continue my statement. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
---Unanimous consent granted