You know, it’s pretty hard to support something that is very limiting. Well, they can go the full scope of implementing Indigenous anti-racism at these schools.

I outlined everything that I hoped to see. I just don’t—I spoke 20 minutes focusing on Indigenous things. I think for far too long we’ve been in the background, listening. When we look at post-secondary education—we’re not supposed to have post-secondary education. We’re not supposed to be here. And I think it’s important that you go further than that.

It’s pretty hard for me to be able to support this bill, the way it is right now.

Reconciliation is more than just putting up woodland art in these facilities. Reconciliation is more than just putting woodland art in your offices. The biggest room in the world is the room for improvement, and I think having Indigenous-led processes on how you’re going to engage with Indigenous communities towards reconciliation to make sure that they’re part of the decision-making processes within universities is really important.

I think I spoke about Lakehead and I speak about Con College here in Thunder Bay. I think it’s very important that some universities reach out to them.

Going back to mental health, there’s a lot of mental health issues happening in the north. To say things about mental health—I do support it—but I think what really speaks out is to start putting resources behind those announcements. It’s important that there’s resources for the colleges, that there’s mental health resources for the universities, as well, again to make sure that the students who are there are safe and to make sure that their well-being is considered.