Status of Women committee  Yes, we have had some really good programs in place. As I mentioned before, the funding seems to cease. Once the program is up and running and going very well for the community, the program ceases. Even with our women's commission, I'd say about 10 or 12 years ago we had a family violence training program where we trained individuals from each of our communities to work in a community on family violence.

Status of Women committee  Yes, definitely, the service in the community...if it was there, I know the ladies would attend. But because of the distance to travel into the city and to try to accommodate their children--they don't want to leave their children behind. If we could have more services within the community, it would be a lot better for all of the family--for the husband, the wife, and the children.

Status of Women committee  No.

Status of Women committee  Yes, and that's it for support services in the communities.

Status of Women committee  Okay. Recommendations to the government.... I think right now for first nations the government has a band-aid effect. They give a little bit of money for a program; you just get a program going and the money runs out. At different times we have had different people employed in different areas, and the money will maybe go on for one year or it may go for five, but the funding is never continuous, and it needs to be.

Status of Women committee  I agree with what the lady said. I think the main focus has to be that we have to heal the whole family. Everybody needs counselling--the husband, the wife, and also the children--because in a domestic violence situation everybody suffers. The man suffers. He feels guilt after the incident occurs.

Status of Women committee  Good morning. My name is Shirley Henderson. I'm the chairperson of the Prince Albert Grand Council Women's Commission. We've been in existence for 20 years as the women's commission of the grand council. Our population within the grand council is well over 35,000. We have 14 members on our commission and also 12 first nations communities within the grand council.