Yes, I think we could. It has to be a carry-over. While they're serving, it's important for the Canadian Armed Forces to let indigenous members know that there are other options for them out there.
For example, I know that the bases now have areas where you can smudge. In Halifax, I've outfitted all ships with smudge kits. Individuals can go to the coxswain's office, for example, if they need to have a smudge. Smudge is a ceremony that we do for cleansing. It's important for that to be available for indigenous members to be able to do that.
The other thing is to support the sweat lodges that are now opening up across the country. In Halifax, before I got out, we managed to get a sweat lodge set up at the Shearwater base. The sweat lodges are working great for the indigenous people there.
The other aspect that I mentioned in my briefing is about cultural awareness. If we don't start sharing cultural awareness, then it's that young person in the army, in the navy.... Racism and discrimination are not accepted in the Canadian Armed Forces, but it's still alive and well. What happens is that it's not accepted and it goes underground. It goes down to the decks and into the messes. You can't fight an enemy that you can't see.
This is important for us to understand. That cultural awareness goes a long way to making sure that the young indigenous person, whether they join the army, navy or air force, knows that cultural awareness is there and they have avenues if something happens. When they come out of the military, it's important for Veterans Affairs and the Assembly of First Nations—the First Nations Veterans Council is working now with Veterans Affairs—to try to alleviate those barriers for indigenous veterans when they retire.
Thank you.