Thank you, Chair.
Let me add my voice to those of my colleagues in welcoming you women here. In sharing with us your experiences, we appreciate your time and energy. Without your input, we don't know about it. It's very good of you to appear.
I have a host of questions, and you'll have to bear with me, if you will. I'm new to the committee and I don't have a lot of background. If my question seems somewhat off base, just blink and go with it. I would appreciate that.
I have an observation, first of all.
Kim, maybe you can allude to this in terms of a response.
I'm hearing things that tell me there are enough structures in place to handle different avenues, to deal with people in an upfront manner, to be of assistance to them, and to handle what their needs are, but we're not following those procedures.
I would allude to the fact that right now there's talk about the administration of a number of band councils that are utilizing dollars for themselves instead of for the residents of the band. That's yet to be talked about, but the idea is, as you have said, Kim, that there's enough money. Are our structures not being followed?
I'll ask about a public defender. If an aboriginal woman is in court, why does she not have access to a public defender? If a person is charged and can't afford a lawyer, in our country lawyers are public defenders.