These are real things that happen to your body, and Canadian Forces does not recognize them in men or women, but women have a worse time of it because we have to do things that you don't have to do. Something as simple as a bucket in the corner with a blanket to show a little bit of respect would go a long way to help the ladies. These things impact mental health as well.
Now, I'm going to say something here that may ruffle a couple of feathers, but you know what? I don't care. Having presentations from misogynistic, racist and divisive civilians and veterans causes great confusion to this committee and to the government at large.
First of all, I am not going to tell you the name, but if you ask me a specific name, I will say yes or no to it. When people who do not represent indigenous soldiers or indigenous veterans are presenting at any of the committees and are questioning reputations, there's a ripple effect that goes out into the community, and it's a very hurtful thing.
Yes, I see your sign, and it's not going to work.
It's something that you need to think about and know who you're asking questions of. Harassment, racism, hazing, general mental health and abuse—I'll send you some of that stuff, because I have with me two documents of people who have lived through it.
As for the lack of acknowledgement and understanding of access to the supports that various indigenous peoples need for traditional ceremonies and things like that, such as not allowing us to go to a ceremony or saying "You can't use that" because you have to have a piece of paper that says you're from Queen's University or McGill University or whatever, I have news for you: Our elders, our people who actually know these things, know the herbs, and they know what happened. I have two legs that I'm walking around on today because I said no to mainstream medicine and went to an herbalist, and I'm alive.
Regarding safety concerns, there's a whole raft of things here, like sexual trauma. I think I'll just send this to you and scare you with it, because that way it gives me more time to expand on it.
In closing, this document here has recommendations. This was presented here 32 years ago by me. Of these recommendations, number one is the only one that's been addressed. This was reported 32 years ago, 27 years ago, 12 years ago and seven years ago.
Okay, guys; let's get busy.