Remember for North Coast. Thank you. I want to talk about a good soul, a general all-round good guy, Maxwell Johnson senior Maxwell is someone who stands up to care for those who have no one else. He looks after his two grandchildren full-time and he recently adopted his grandnephew to keep him out of provincial care. Community members described him as kind generous and funny. He cares deeply for his community and First Nations people.

He has suffered a lot of trauma and mental health issues, but he persevered despite all that, to be in service to and advocate for others. He grew up with his grandmother, which she never spoke about. Their health set culture. She was quiet about it. He says people were scared of going to jail because they were not allowed to talk about it in the 90s, Maxwell started learning about his culture and he discovered art. Today he is a cultural leader who has dedicated many years to revitalizing health, sick, heart, songs, dance and ceremony.

I teach my kids and grandkids to never be ashamed of. Where you come from, never be ashamed of who you are. He says he told me: I don't want to be in the forefront. I was taught to be in the background: I, don't like the attention. So what a shock it must have been to be put in the forefront of a recent controversy around racial profiling. Maxwell was handcuffed along with his 12 year old, granddaughter after trying to open a bank account with an Indian status card.

Today in Bella Bella, hosted by the House of tribal council and the house of hereditary leadership, a traditional purification or washing ceremony will be held for Maxwell and his family. He didn't deserve this treatment, but sadly, it's all still all too common for indigenous people. Today. Today, I want to raise my hands up to this kind and selfless soul to a person who exemplifies leadership, commitment to family and community qualities. We all value today, I just want to say Maxwell I see you thank you.