Status of Women committee  First I want to thank all of you, as my sisters. You've come together to implement the standing committee. That is to be noted with much appreciation by myself, as the president of the Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women, vice-president of the Métis Nation of Albert

Status of Women committee  Am I out of time? I have my written presentation.

Status of Women committee  But just let me conclude.

Status of Women committee  What is basic or fundamental to violence against aboriginal women in this country is the lack of funding to the women, to our organization and to every other organization in this country, to be able to be full citizens. They're not full citizens; they take the brunt of the hatred

Status of Women committee  I wanted to note that there was an aboriginal women's summit held in Corner Brook, Newfoundland. Have you ever seen the results of that?

Status of Women committee  I think it's fair to say that nothing has come of it.

Status of Women committee  I would certainly advise that there be consultation before the implementation of the bill. It's critical that the women be consulted, because, as you say, it could possibly result in more violence and more disruption. It's long overdue, but it's just one in the list of many viola

Status of Women committee  An example, a real example, was Linda Bull, a professor at Athabasca University in this province. She was accused of shoplifting in the Safeway. She was so shocked and so disillusioned, and so angry and so frustrated. They eventually apologized to her, because of course it was no

Status of Women committee  I'm pleased to agree on the screening of judges—and they should be screened before they become judges—and also police officers in recruiting. Especially police officers should be screened as to their prejudices and their biases and their discrimination against aboriginal women.

Status of Women committee  Oh, I'm so glad you asked that question. No, there aren't, because of the lack of funding at the regional level. The money all goes to the national organizations.

Status of Women committee  Oh, no. We never.... That's totally unreasonable for them to give us money, and I mean that in every—

Status of Women committee  No.

Status of Women committee  Because the rule of the government is that only the national organizations will be funded.

Status of Women committee  Well, the Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women has been pleading and asking for stable funding, core funding, any kind of stable funding that will keep our doors open, because we have 16 chapters, but one of the greatest difficulties we face is that we have projects.

Status of Women committee  I first want to compliment the government on endorsing the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. This is, to my mind, a very hopeful and very real opportunity for all of us as Canadians to address the needs of aboriginal women in full consultation with them. For every