Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  That's a very good point you raise, and as I mentioned in the remarks, when aboriginal young people go to university, they have the same success rate as all Canadians. I should say that the department is working on a project at the present time on success stories and recognizes that there needs to be much more done in that regard.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Technically, yes, but politically speaking...

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  She is a lady by the name of Joan Katz. She is currently the acting director general.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I have not seen that document, but Richard has.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Thank you for the question. To explain the departmental position, this committee I'm sure is aware that there is very little legislative base for the department to operate under. The main piece of legislation is the Indian Act. The Indian Act speaks about education, but how it speaks about education is very much related to children; it was to do with ensuring that children went to school, and it speaks particularly about children between the ages of 6 and 16.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  You raise a very good point. I would simply say, though, that the research is showing us that where we need to primarily invest is in kindergarten to grade 12, because what we need to do is get children to graduate from secondary school so they can then go on to post-secondary.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Okay. Thank you.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  No.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Thank you, and good morning. I would like to thank the chair and the committee members for the opportunity to speak on the subject of education this morning. I am very pleased to see that there are so many young people here today, because indeed, what this committee is considering now is of great importance to them.