Good morning, ladies.
Good morning, Mr. Clarke.
Tan Kahk, nil toliwes Tanna Pirie-Wilson. I sit before you firstly as a proud Maliseet first nation youth from Tobique First Nation, two hours north of here. I also sit here as the female representative of the Public Service Alliance of Canada's national aboriginal peoples circle. I am here to speak to you today about the negative impacts of systemic violence against aboriginal women.
Women in our communities were once highly regarded citizens. We held high-ranking positions within our governing bodies. We were the keepers of our communities, our culture, and our languages. We were the givers of life, and our men respected and even supported us in those roles. It was through the influence of early European colonization that our men and our women were taught suppression and oppression. They had a different view to teach us.
Okay, I'm told it's a three-minute introduction.