With regard to representation, it's essential that we have aboriginal control over our affairs, and that brings to mind the Native Women's Association of Canada, which is an active participant on behalf of aboriginal women. We do work hand in glove with a number of various organizations such as that, but I think there should be dedicated funding so that the representation can be increased and help us drive forward in a holistic manner.
On the figures that were cited earlier, I just wanted to speak briefly to those. NAHA did a study based on the 2006 census, which we released in 2009. The findings there confirm that three-quarters of the aboriginal people are not on reserve. With regard to the overall figures, the numbers that have been cited, our calculation is that there are some 450,000 aboriginal women in Canada. The figures I have are derived from older censuses, but there were some 800,000 people, and 51% were women. In the 2006 census, there were 1,172,000 people who identified as aboriginal. If 51% of the people are women, that's where I come up with the figure of 450,000.
There are any number of studies that have been conducted with regard to violence towards women, and there are a few that have been directed towards violence towards aboriginal women. Sisters in Spirit is one of the organizations that has been vocal in advocating that greater attention be paid to aboriginal women who are recipients of violence. I want to say that they are doing a very good job, but there is still a lot of resistance.
Part of the paper that I presented to the committee speaks to the reasons for the violence initially, but I think the basic reason is poverty. We have been excluded over the years from participation in the economic industry or whatever of Canada, and until I was 14 years old, legally I was not able to leave the reserve without a pass. So we were confined, we were excluded legally, and now the opposite tack has been taken, where I think there's an effort to assimilate us.
My sister beside me mentions that there are shelters that are available to aboriginal women, but there's the cultural affinity that is absent. This does prevent a lot of our women from participating in the mainstream shelters. I think racism and cultural differentiation continue to exist, so this is why I spoke earlier of aboriginal control over aboriginal housing--and in this case, aboriginal shelters.
I want Mr. Lanigan to speak briefly to the local...but before I do that, I want to go through the recommendations that I attached to the tail end of my report.
There needs to be additional funding: financial resources to help local urban aboriginal housing providers acquire additional housing units--plain and simple. There is a paucity of housing right across Canada, and this affects families, which include, of course, men and women. It also helps to address poverty.
In this regard, in 2006, a couple of years ago, the federal government provided $300 million to the non-reserve population. This was one of the good steps that was put in place. It was very beneficial. In many of the provinces, the funding was turned over to aboriginal organizations for administration, so this is the model I'm suggesting that we pursue going into the future, because it does provide a lot of benefit and also a chance for us, through home ownership, to acquire some wealth.
We need to provide resources to enable aboriginal organizations to establish and operate increased numbers of shelters in a culturally sensitive atmosphere and to enable the establishment and operation of more second-stage housing for those in transition from imprisonment. If I had more time, I'd speak at greater length to second-stage housing. Except on one occasion, I've never heard that mentioned: that we need to pay attention to the people who are being released from prison.
We need to recognize that the most benefit for aboriginal women can be achieved through service provided by aboriginal women. We need to continue to use a holistic approach and sensitivity to enable aboriginal women to retain and maintain custody of their children. This is one of the key elements that has to be addressed.
We need to provide resources for training and life skills, both pre-employment and employment, and general counselling to help aboriginal women become established and regain control over their lives, training and counselling to be given at the local level.
In this context, I'd ask Mr. Lanigan to speak for a minute.