Special Committee on Indigenous Women committee  Our executive director is really good at writing a funding proposal. She's out there writing them all the time, trying to get whatever she can to sustain any programming we have.

Special Committee on Indigenous Women committee  Only 17% of those who submit a first-time funding proposal are funded. It's not a huge amount.

Special Committee on Indigenous Women committee  I think the leaders we are currently seeing are not necessarily designated leaders. Yes, the vast majority are going to be women, but they are whom Ruth referred to as the natural leaders. They're the stronger, healthier pillars of the community, the matriarchs everybody goes to.

Special Committee on Indigenous Women committee  Yes.

Special Committee on Indigenous Women committee  That's a really good question. From our perspective, some of the suggestions have been not necessarily changing who's governing, but more of making sure the people who are in those positions are healing themselves. Then you will experience the trickle-down effect. If you have a

Special Committee on Indigenous Women committee  This is a large issue we are seeing. We've actually, most recently, started an initiative at High Prairie, which I was talking about. They were doing some really good work. Mary up there was up and running and had an amazing program, which now has been cut. So we're looking at ho

Special Committee on Indigenous Women committee  Thank you. My name is Jamie. I'm Métis, originally from Manitoba, and have been working out of northern Alberta for the last 16 years. I've worked at PACE, which is the sexual assault and trauma centre there. It's a grassroots, non-profit organization that's been in existence fo

Special Committee on Indigenous Women committee  —and High Prairie, High Level.

Special Committee on Indigenous Women committee  Okay. This is why I have her, because we can feed off each other.

Special Committee on Indigenous Women committee  Well there are too many high things.

Special Committee on Indigenous Women committee  Yes. I'll let you introduce yourself.

Special Committee on Indigenous Women committee  In my introduction, I forgot to mention a little bit of what my roles are at PACE. I'm a little nervous here, I have to admit. For the last 10 years I have been a therapist. I worked with victims of sexual abuse, domestic violence, as well as working with sex offenders. Over the