Status of Women Committee on April 29th, 2022

[Stéfanie Sirois-Gauthier]

In fact, the Femmes autochtones du Québec organization and the friendship centres might be described as two completely different worlds, and yet they are similar in many respects. The experience of women living in a community setting is nevertheless very different than for women living in a city.

It's very important to include both circumstances in studies, because women living in a city often do not use the resources available to them, either out of fear or because they are simply unaware of them.

The friendship centres introduce them to these resources. However, even though the friendship centres do remarkable work, many indigenous women live in cities. I think that it's very difficult to meet the needs of women given the small amount of support received by indigenous organizations like ours, or the friendship centres. This is definitely not a criticism, but rather a comment about funding for organizations that represent indigenous people. As for the reality of women living in the community…

[The Vice-Chair, Liberal, Sonia Sidhu]

Thank you, Madame Sirois-Gauthier.

Thank you, Ms. Larouche.

We'll now go to Ms. Gazan.

[Leah Gazan, NDP, Winnipeg Centre, MB]

First, I want to thank all the panellists for your powerful testimony, and also the committee for listening and learning with such open hearts and minds. It really means a lot to me, and I know it has really touched my heart.

I know we've talked a lot about poverty. One of the greatest quotes I've ever heard was from an elder and residential school warrior who said that the greatest poverty one can ever experience is the poverty of the spirit.

Madame Doré-Nadeau, I'll start with you. What are some support services that can be established by community-led organizations that are also trauma-informed services to ensure that individuals can be protected from harm?

[Viviane Doré-Nadeau]

I believe that services need to be generated by the indigenous women themselves, because they are the ones who are aware of the needs. If such services do not exist, then they should be created. If they exist, then it's important to make sure they are provided with the resources they need to meet demand.

We have spoken at length about the importance of organizing consultations when mining companies move into the community. This means making sure that women can take part in the consultations.

[Leah Gazan, NDP, Winnipeg Centre, MB]

Dr. Palmater, could you respond to the same question, please?

[Dr. Pamela Palmater]

Was it in regard to the things that are working?

[Leah Gazan, NDP, Winnipeg Centre, MB]

What are some support services that can be established by community-led organizations to protect women, girls and two-spirit individuals from harm?

[Dr. Pamela Palmater]

In addition to all of the organizations, whether they be native housing organizations, friendship centres, women's organizations or all of that, there also needs to be funding to support first nation-led programs that want to help their band members who live off reserve to have support, whether they're at home on reserve or off reserve.

Also, let's not forget about all of the grassroots people who are not part of organizations, but who themselves are spending all their time and energy walking the streets, helping women and providing services. They're not formally recognized, but they could use all of that financial support to help these women have a place to transition with transitional housing, to transition out of prison and all of these other things, such as protection from police, man camps and things like that.

[The Vice-Chair, Liberal, Sonia Sidhu]

Thank you, Dr. Palmater.

Thank you, Leah. That is the end of our time.

Thank you so much to all of our witnesses for joining the panel today. On behalf of all of us, I thank you for the work you do in the community and for your important testimony.

Members, for our next meeting on Tuesday, we are scheduled to hear from Ellen Gabriel, an indigenous land defender from Quebec, and Hilda Anderson-Pyrz, chair of the National Family and Survivors Circle.

Is it the will of the community to adjourn?

Thank you. Today's meeting is adjourned.