Status of Women committee  I think you're thinking seven generations behind—

Status of Women committee  —because we were independent, self-sustaining, and whatnot until we were in fact confined to reserves and we lost the economic bases that we had. This has led, one step after another, over seven generations. We're in the seventh generation now. We have to hark back to the time when we had control over our lives.

Status of Women committee  To my knowledge, the organizations across the country, of which there are about 110, or 120 at the local level, do in fact carry out liaison and discussions with the other agencies. I'm most familiar with the situation here in Ottawa, because in addition to working at the NAHA, I'm also on the local board of Gignul.

Status of Women committee  The way I would do it is to talk with the people who are about to be released. There are also, I think, aboriginal women's organizations within some of the prisons, if not all. I think it would be appropriate to speak with the people who are going through the experience to see what would be of help to them.

Status of Women committee  Thank you for the invitation to speak. As you can see, we're not women, but half of our people are women. I'm the executive director for the National Aboriginal Housing Association. With me is Jim Lanigan, who is the treasurer of the association. NAHA was set up in 1994 in response to the cap that was put on new social housing units by the federal government in 1993-94.

Status of Women committee  With regard to representation, it's essential that we have aboriginal control over our affairs, and that brings to mind the Native Women's Association of Canada, which is an active participant on behalf of aboriginal women. We do work hand in glove with a number of various organizations such as that, but I think there should be dedicated funding so that the representation can be increased and help us drive forward in a holistic manner.