Honourable senators, today I draw the attention of the Senate to the work of Gina Wilson, Canada's associate deputy minister for public safety, the highest ranking Indigenous woman in the federal public service; the only federal public servant who can, with authority, welcome us to this traditional, unceded Algonquin territory of her People.

Last Wednesday Ms. Wilson was celebrated as a nation-builder by the Famous 5 Foundation. The Famous 5 Foundation draws its name and inspiration from the group of five women who in 1929 led the fight to have women declared qualified persons so that they could be appointed to this place, the Canadian Senate. The values and guiding principles of the foundation are integrity, honesty, respect, determination, courage and equality, and they strive to encourage and empower successive generations of women to contribute to public life and to be nation-builders.

I've had the privilege of knowing and working with Gina for many years and I cannot think of a better choice. A grandmother to Charlotte, a mother to Dillon, Kayla and RJ, Ms. Wilson began her paid work as a social development worker in the First Nations community of Kitigan Zibi and as an activist with the Assembly of First Nations. She has noted that in this capacity she was actively protesting the very policies of the federal government at the time that the opportunity for her to begin working there arose.

In the public service she has worked tirelessly to bridge understandings between world views and the lived experiences of many. She was involved in coordinating the federal government's apology to residential school survivors, while also working to address the internal culture of the public service, first by drawing attention to the overrepresentation of Indigenous People in the lowest salary ranges of the civil service and then working to remedy that under-representation in senior management positions.

Honourable senators, I ask you to join me in paying tribute to Ms. Wilson and commending her for her work to bridge the gaps, realities and understandings that exist between Indigenous Peoples and the federal government, as we all continue to work together toward reconciliation.

Thank you; and thank you, Ms. Wilson.