Public Safety committee  I think it's critical. Again, it speaks to the question of accessibility, respect for the process and trust in the process. In northern Saskatchewan there was something called a Cree court, where the judge addressed the defendants in Cree. The interpreter was there for the RCMP and for the defence lawyers.

Public Safety committee  I think the question of $45 million would be good for the commission. As I mentioned, I think there has to be a support mechanism as well for the complainants in terms of advocacy.

Public Safety committee  It's absolutely important. I mentioned that the commission would be wise to take into consideration the current organizational infrastructure across the country. In Saskatchewan, we have 10 tribal councils, one federation of sovereign indigenous nations and a number of other institutions that can really assist the commission in bringing this forward.

Public Safety committee  Absolutely. I think there are two areas that should be highlighted. One, of course, is cultural competency, how they talk about indigenous people. The Métis, the Cree, the Dene, the Nakota, Lakota and the Saulteaux are all different tribal groups, and they will have different needs, ways of working and ways of governing as well.

Public Safety committee  Yes, thank you, Chair. Absolutely. I think resourcing has to be looked at from two perspectives. One perspective is from the operations of the commission itself. It has to be adequately resourced. I don't know exactly what level of complaints there will be. It's also for the advocacy groups or for the individuals who are coming forward.

Public Safety committee  A special investigation unit in Saskatchewan was set up after the “starlight tours” inquiry, the Stonechild inquiry, as it's called. It's managed by the federation of [Inaudible—Editor] indigenous and works closely with Saskatchewan's Public Complaints Commission and the Saskatchewan Police Commission.

Public Safety committee  Thank you. Good morning, Mr. Chairman, and good morning to the committee and my fellow panellists. I'm from Little Black Bear's Band of the Assiniboine Cree in Treaty No. 4 territory, a board member of the Canadian Association on Police Governance, and chair to First Nations Police Governance Council.