Mr. Chairman, I confess having great difficulty asking even one question after hearing the words of Mr. Williams, an elder — I am probably not the only one around the table feeling this way. I do not really know how to approach the subject.
It is obvious, Mr. Williams, that you have experienced extreme hardship. In the area where I come from, in Abitibi, there also was an Indian residential school — that is how it was called. What you recounted has been experienced by many other people. I have no doubt that you are not the only one who went through this.
I will likely ask only one question because your testimony was eloquent enough. I read all the documents. I will not even mention money. Personally, I am more interested in the time this can take. With all due respect, Mr. Williams, you seem to me to be about 50 or 55 years old, maybe a little bit more. It took a long time before you were able to talk about your experience.
I wonder about one thing. Chief Erasmus, you might be able to answer. I do not know how long it could still take. I liked the first part of your presentation where you say that the healing has just started. In fact, I am not sure it has. Honestly, after listening to elder Williams, I am not sure it has. If you believe that healing starts with talking about it, you may be right, but one is still far from being healed. Should we not be looking at it in the longer term? I will listen to what you have to say. I do not want to take any more of your time. I am very impressed.
Elder Williams, thank you for having come here to share with the members of the committee.