In an appeal to help save a key support base for Montreal's native community, representatives of the Native Women's Shelter of Montreal met with Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff Sunday.

The group asked that the Liberal party demand the reinstatement of funds to the Aboriginal Healing Foundation after the Harper government's 2010 budget cut funding to the not- for-profit agency.

"We've been receiving funds from the aboriginal healing foundation for the last decade. It's been helping to augment the services that we already give at the shelter. If that is cut it's going to be really devastating to the shelter," said Nakuset of the Native Women's Shelter of Montreal.

Without the funding the shelter, which helps improve the lives of native women and children, may be forced to close.