The national aboriginal women's summit may have been a historic event, but the territories didn't come away from it without its frustrations.

The need to address aboriginal women's issues inclusively, wherever they are located north, south, on-reserve or off-reserve was a theme throughout the summit, said Elaine Taylor, the minister responsible for the Women's Directorate.

But when the federal government announced a five-year investment of almost $56 million to address family violence at the end of the recent summit in Corner Brook, Nfld., it was clearly stated it was slated for reserves.

'The on-reserve requirement effectively excluded the territories,' said Taylor. 'On one hand, we appreciate that addressing family violence is a priority of this federal government. But on the other, we don't believe any of that funding will be coming north.'

The announcement made by Bev Oda, minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women, will support the current family violence prevention program.

It addresses a network of 35 shelters serving approximately 265 first nations communities.

The new funding will go to aboriginal people living on reserves and address operational costs of existing shelters, provision of protection and prevention services and the construction of five new shelters.

'Our government is deeply concerned about discrimination and violence against first nations women,' said Oda.

Taylor said none of the governments from the territories have heard from Oda or Indian and Northern Affairs Minister Jim Prentice on why the territories, which don't use the reserve system, were excluded from the funding formula.

The situation is even more frustrating when the ministers responsible for women's issues in the territories have repeatedly raised the need for improving family violence prevention services in the North with Prentice, said Taylor.

'It needs to be ensured any funding available for reserves should also be available to help all aboriginal women,' said Taylor, 'especially in the North.'

There are higher rates of violence against women and family violence in the North, said Taylor, and small communities and isolation can make it more challenging to provide the programming needed to curb it.

A 2006 report from Statistics Canada shows women in the territories report a higher rate of spousal violence than those living in the provinces with higher levels of sexual assault and homicide occurring. Approximately 12 per cent of the married adult residents in the territory reported having experienced violence from a partner over the last five years.

Shelters in the territories are also used at a higher level than anywhere else in the country.

Outside of the territories, a Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics report shows aboriginal women living on reserves were eight times more likely to be assaulted and seven times more likely to be sexually assaulted compared with national averages.

Those suffering domestic abuse more often reported that they'd been beaten, sexually assaulted, choked or threatened with a weapon. They were also more likely than non-aboriginal victims to be injured by their spouses or to fear for their lives.

'It's an issue of extreme importance,' said Taylor, 'and it's critical that we do take steps to address it. It's really important to note that it's everyone's responsibility.'

More than 300 people attended the national aboriginal women's summit. It was the first of its kind to ever be hosted in Canada.

The goal was to partner all levels of government and organizations to address issues facing aboriginal women throughout the country and to devising a long-term strategy to end the cycle of poverty and violence.

One of the key messages coming out of the summit was that the federal government and other jurisdictions need to stop bickering about levels of authority and responsibility and take proactive steps to resolve the social and economic problems facing aboriginal women.

Calls were also put forward to increase funding for a wide range of initiatives aimed at preventing physical, sexual and drug abuse on and off reserves.

'Improving the lives of women is one of the best ways to improve the lives of families,' said Taylor.

After listening to the comments over the three-day conference, Taylor said, the Yukon is making good advancements in addressing issues concerning first nations women.

'Yukon has shown leadership in working in collaboration with first nations governments and developing programming that serves all Yukoners better,' she said.

But there still needs to improvements in other areas, she said.

Issues regarding legislative changes, supporting language and culture, helping women tap into the economy and building capacity in communities were all discussed, she added.

The Yukon sent a delegation of 14 women to the gathering.

Justice Minister Marian Horne joined Taylor as the Yukon's elected representatives. A significant part of the conference also focused on justice issues affecting first nations women.

Jesse Steven of the White River First Nation, Marie Benoit of the Carcross Tagish First Nation, Lucie Jackson of the Teslin Tlingit Council, Shirlee Frost of the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation, Michelle Tellup of the Ta'an Kwach'an Council and Barb Hume of the Champagne Aishihik First Nations also attended.