Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I just want to pick up on your topic about the youth. We all know the demographics, the statistics for the aboriginal population, the off-reserve population, and the urban population, and 48% of youth population is under the age of 30. That's a huge population. We're 54% of the almost 1.3 million aboriginal Canadians, and a lot of the youth are seeking support, whether it's in culture, language, or traditional knowledge, but they're also wanting to fit into Canadian society.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  You're very welcome.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I'll just add a couple of other things that we're currently working on at the NAFC. We're working on literacy, adult and youth. You mentioned your child's ability to read at a higher level. We're also involved in tobacco cessation, and we're obviously engaged in many health issues, as Jeff said, such as nutrition and diabetes.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Thank you for the questions. We are somewhat familiar with Nutrition North. Obviously we are very familiar with the cost of living in the north and the cost of goods and produce. As Jeffrey said earlier, I think it would certainly be beneficial for NAFC to be engaged in more policy dialogue and discussion with federal departments, including the Department of Indian Affairs and the Department of Canadian Heritage, to see what role friendship centres can play in helping urban aboriginal populations and other populations.

Human Resources committee  Okay. Sadly, and unfortunately, Mr. Martin, that reality is true for much of the information about the urban aboriginal population. A lot of the health statistics, life conditions, and social determinants of health numbers are based on studies of first nations on reserve, and the urban aboriginal health and social issues are not as well known and documented.

Human Resources committee  Thank you for the question. In the off-reserve or the urban setting, with the division of powers between the federal and provincial governments, there is a complexity to how the federal government can and should work with provincial authorities to address the issues and the needs of the urban aboriginal population.

Human Resources committee  In the urban areas there are obviously a lot more challenges because of the composition of the urban aboriginal population. But I think there is still the same value of wanting to be able to assure that native children are in the care of native parents, whether they are foster parents or adoptive parents.

Human Resources committee  There would be a preference to find either adoptive or foster parents who are from the same nation. If it's a Métis child, find Métis. If it's a first nation child, find first nation parents. If all goes well, if it's an Ojibway child, find Ojibway parents. But if not, find somebody who is at least first nation who then would be able to support that child.

Human Resources committee  There are provincial and territorial agencies that work with the Native Child and Family Service Agency of Toronto. They would work with the Children's Aid Society and with the provincial government, and it is the same in Vancouver. They would fall within the purview of provincial legislation and authority.

Human Resources committee  Thank you, Madam Chair. I want to thank you and the members of the committee for the invitation to come to present to you on this—as Cindy very eloquently said—very important and serious matter and issue. As I prepare presentations to make before various committees that the NAFC presents to, I always do my own little bit of research.

Status of Women committee  Unfortunately, no.

Status of Women committee  Friendship centres have been trying to help men and families.

Status of Women committee  I don't think there are enough. Whatever is out there, again, is piecemeal and project-oriented.

Status of Women committee  There are a number of reasons. The first reason is because the urban population is increasing and continues to increase year after year. There are always new people coming into the urban settings. For me, I guess, it always comes back to the lack of continuity in the organization's ability to provide continual programming.

Status of Women committee  I wouldn't say that. I would say that aboriginal men who are seeking to be healed are coming to the centres to find some help.