Honourable senators, as I make my earth journey, I have been so enriched by my connection with the people who have helped my personal and professional development by believing in me and seeing what I had to offer and working alongside me and guiding me to be the best I can be. I thank my ancestors, including my parents, who demonstrated to me that I had a purpose and an obligation to contribute to society and to make connections where needed.

There has always been an awareness of destiny for me — a knowing that there is a whole of my story somewhere out there and that people would share it with me, and it comes from many people and many nations.

As I became more open to seeing and hearing deeply different world views with their unique ways of knowing and being, I came to understand a little more about the big world in which I play a part. I wanted to share with you — from a deep heart place — what is true for me.

I want to thank the Conservative caucus for offering me the opportunity to work beside them with the goal of bridging the relationship with Indigenous Peoples in this great country. I knew that if I didn’t take this opportunity, I would forever wonder if it could have worked and forever regret it if I didn’t take this opportunity that was being granted to me.

A special thank you to Senator D. M. Wells for approaching me over a year ago. Since I became a senator, I have always been welcomed by members of the Conservative caucus. Over time, some of the elements of their world view bumped up against my ways of being and knowing, and I knew it was time to stretch and challenge myself.

In my heart, I know that most of the deep communication of my own walk through life has not been contained entirely in words. Many of you have shown me through action that you respect me, that you took the time to understand me, that you didn’t just dismiss me and that you were compassionate, and you were there when I needed your help, even when I was not part of your caucus.

What I notice most are your beautiful eyes. I am honoured to walk on this journey of learning with you — a walk that has no end. My time in the Senate has been difficult for me, but it has been made easier by your listening, your support, your compassion and your humanity. Kinanâskomitinawow.