Lac La Biche

Provides brief history of "Half-breed Scrip", its meaning and origins. Focuses on the community of Lac La Biche as an example of the process.

File contains closing remarks by Commissioners Allan Blakeney and Paul Chartrand, with brief comments by two earlier speakers.

File contains an individual presentation by Bob Major that focuses on education. Major wants to see a curriculum geared towards Aboriginal and Metis children regarding the history of northern Alberta and languages. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains an individual presentation by Cliff Gladue, who, despite involvement in a number of federal and provincial Metis organizations, is representing himself. Gladue's presentation discusses the principles and parameters of Aboriginal self-government. He sees three self-government agreements being negotiated with the federal and provincial governments: the treaty self-government agreeement, the Inuit self-government agreement and the Metis self-government agreement. Following the presentation are remarks by the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Florence Boucher detailing discrimination she experienced because of the Indian Act and Bill C-31. She is frustrated that some persons under Bill C-31 receive education funding, while others also under the Bill do not receive funding. Following the presentation are remarks by the Commissioners.

File contains an individual presentation by Frances Ebersbach, a Metis elder in her community who assists residents in a variety of ways. Ebersbach is frustrated by policies of government departments that work against Aboriginal people and wants to draw attention to the Commission the unfairness of treatment. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains an individual presentation by Margaret Gladue, a Metis woman, relating to Crown Land at Eleanor Lake, Alberta. She and her family live close to the lake in an area that is frequented by weekend campers. Gladue has attempted to get the Canadian government to authorize her miscellaneous lease on the land she and her husband grew up on. She calls for the Commission to help cut through the red tape so her family can live on their ancestors' land. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains opening remarks by Commissioners Allan Blakeney and Paul Chartrand, who explain the purpose and objectives of the Commission. Robert Boucher, Commissioner For the Day, is introduced.

File contains opening remarks by Tom MacCagno who provides the Commission with a history of the exploration and establishment of Lac La Biche. He notes the involvement of Metis people when Father Albert Lacombe arrived in 1852. MacCagno says that Portage La Biche, forerunner of Lac La Biche, is a Canadian national historic site but the government chooses not to designate and restore the site. MacCagno also comments on aboriginal language policy and how elders must pass down the language and traditions of Aboriginal peoples to the youth.

File contains an presentation by Bertha Clar representing the recently-opened Athabasca Native Friendship Centre. She speaks about a variety of issues such as minimal funding for Friendship Centres, bingo as an inreliable source of funding, the Canadian Constitution and discrimination against women. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Diane Ludwig and Elaine Boucher relating to educational issues concerning Aboriginal students in Lac La Biche and area. Both women address a number of concerns with students, such as assisting those in unstable family situations or those who are abusing drugs and alcohol. Ludwig feels that if a co-ordinator was hired, then the small groups and committees within the Native Education Program would be streamlined and thus serve the students better. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Gerald Thom stating that Metis organizations are finally, in the 1990s, becoming involved in government policymaking. Thom believes that "in order to attain our goals we must support decentralization of powers from the federal and provincial government, and we must have a say on what policies and issues arise through decentralization. He discusses briefly education, language, and employment concerns relating to the Metis. Following the presentation are remarks by the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Jennifer Scott relating to her organization, whose mandate is to provide services to adults with disabilities in order to assist them to become contributing and participating members of their communities. The association provides two non-facility based programs, the first being an outreach program designed to assist disabled persons acquire skills to live independently.

File contains a presentation by Joe Blyan stating that the Commission that all different status groups must meet and determine their courses of action. Blyan says a common vision is necessary when dealing with Aboriginal and Metis groups. Following the presentation are remarks by the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Ken Pruden relating to the difficulties Canadian Friendship Centres have in providing services for its target audience. Pruden says that funding cuts by the Canadian government are inhibiting the Friendship Centres' ability to assist persons and calls on the Commission to bring this matter to the government's attention. Pruden introduces Ray Fox, also of the Lac La Biche Canadian Native Friendship Centre.

File contains a presentation by Madeline Rizzoli, representing the Alberta Trappers Association. She states that trapping has and is an ongoing occupation that residents rely for survival. Following the presentation are remarks by the Commissioners regarding leghold traps.

File contains a presentation by Margaret Klopenberg, Assistant Co-ordinator of the Child Identification Program, and Christine Hoffman, Chairperson, both of the North Central Alberta Crisis Intervention Association. They describe the variety of programs the Association offers to Aboriginal people, including women's and men's domestic violence groups and self-esteem and victim assistance programs. The Association operates with little funding, much of it raised themselves, so Klopenberg and Hoffman call on the Commission to help them secure funds to keep these essential programs operating.

File contains a presentation by Michelle Lang that provides a brief history of the Metis people at Lac La Biche and area. She states that the "missionaries were invited by the Metis to provide both religious instruction and education." But the missionaries were educated as well, as they relied on the Metis for their survival until they learned the ways of their new land. She hopes the Commission can help get Portage La Biche and the Lac La Biche Mission preserved for future generations. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Peter Ponich that believes the School Division as not doing enough to keep Aboriginal and Metis students in schools. He offers a number of initiatives that may combat that problems, including engendering pride in the language and culture of the student, providing Aboriginal role models in a variety of jobs, providing students with a better understanding of the value of education, and encouraging Aboriginal students to complete secondary education. He calls on the Commission to help secure funding for these proposed initiatives.

File contains a presentation by Ray Fox relating to a the establishment of an Aboriginal communications system in Canada. Fox is also president of the National Aboriginal Communications Society and he states that an Aboriginal communications system "must be non-political and protected from politicians" for it to work. A discussion with the Commissioners regarding Friendship Centres and CRTC policies follow the presentation.

File contains a presentation by Reed Gauthier in French. The presentation relating to the Canadian government's "systematic destruction of the cultures of Aboriginal peoples." Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners in English.

File contains a presentation by Ted Langford relating to the development of the Alberta Vocational College (AVC) in Lac La Biche. Langford describes the education and training programs in place at AVC for Aboriginals that he sees as vital to the improvement of economic and social conditions for Aboriginals in that area. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Tom Erasmus who is a community development worker for the Alberta Mental Health Association located in the northeast region of Alberta. He is also a co-ordinator of native services for the northeast region of Alberta.