[Witness spoke in Innu.]
[English]
Thank you, Ms. Gill.
It is very difficult for me to express my emotions in my second language, because it would be intense in my language.
Having grown up in the 1950s and 1960s, I was part of the second wave, if we can put it that way. Children were taken while they were playing and having fun, and they went away to an unknown place.
I just want to remind you that I am a survivor, a former residential school student, and maybe an elder soon. I am very interested in there being people to represent us at the national level. As you know, we have our own language and we have the second language. We also have elders. One of our elders is over 91 years old. She saw most of her 18 children, if not all her children, taken away to the residential school. I just want to remind you that the elders are important to us. This is crucial. As well, regarding women, we often talk about intergenerational consequences. The disappearances and murders are part of the sadness felt in our communities, in our nations.
I don't want to speak for too long, but we would be grateful if you make sure there is better representation. Also, things have to be done. There must not be just discussions, as is still the case.