Moosonee

Articles relating to: children in non-aboriginal schools, the status of indigenous persons, Diefenbaker's honorary degree from Dalhousie University, an issue of Indian Outlook, a copy of the first bulletin of the Indian-Eskimo Association of Canada, and the work of Anglican missionaries.

RCAP 34 contains files from the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at the Northern Lights Secondary School, Moosonee, Ontario. This sitting of the Commission contains presentations from teachers and students at the school. Each presentation can be viewed individually on this site.

RCAP 66 contains files for a special consultation session during a sitting of the Royal Commission for Aboriginal Peoples in the Senator Hotel, Timmins, Ontario. The subject is resource development and Aboriginal land claims. The panel includes Donald McKinnon and Dennis Prince, both previous speakers, and John Farrington serves as facilitator.

File contains a conversation between Commissioners Erasmus, Robinson, unidentified members of the staff and students of the Northern Lights School and Christina Delaney. The conversation involves the retention and restoration of Aboriginal culture in Canada, and the education system particularly with regards to the merits of cross cultural learning techniques and concerns with post secondary funding.

File contains a conversation between Commissioners Erasmus, Robinson, Terry Legge, Wilbert Wesley, Christina Delaney, Elie Chilton, and Phoebe Sutherland at the Northern Lights School in Moosonee, Ontario. The wide ranging conversation addresses a variety of topics including educational policy, cultural retention and rejuvenation, and social problems.

File contains an individual presentation by Eli Chilton relating to social issues from a youth perspective. He states that these problems have originated since colonization, but Aboriginal people must now take responsibility for their own lives.

File contains an individual presentation by Ernie Rickard that briefly discusses a number of issues, including education, justice, economic development on reserves, and self-government. He relates his experience when interviewing for a justice of the peace position with the Canadian government and how his interpretation of the job did not match the government's interpretation.

File contains an individual presentation by Mary Lou Iahtail, teacher at Moosonee Public School in Moosonee, Ontario. She describes her experiences at the Fort Albany Residential School in Ontario where she learned to read and write in Cree. Iahtail states that a Cree immersion program is needed at her school and calls for the Commission to fund Cree immersion programs so the Cree language does not disappear.

File contains an individual presentation by Peter Nakogee, via translator, believing that this Commission will be productive and will result in positive changes for Aboriginal peoples, as opposed to Commissions past. One area of concern lies with programs not being available to off-reserve individuals. Nakogee calls for funding for better housing on reserves and for fire protection and ambulance service in the Moosonee-James Bay area.

File contains an individual presentation by Sidney Demore that debates the status vs. non-status Indian issue and how it affects his family, as he is a non-status Indian and his wife is status. He also discusses the abuse of alcohol and the effect on Aboriginal families.

File contains an individual presentation by Suzanne McCarthy, consultant on language and literacy issues for the Anglican Diocese of Moosonee, Ontario. Her focus is on Cree Syllabics that "deeply reflects Cree values, culture and social patterns. She calls on the Commission to ensure that Cree Syllabics are a protected aspect of Canadian culture. A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.

File contains opening remarks by Commissioners Georges Erasmus and Viola Robinson for the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples held at Moosonee, Ontario, on June 10, 1992. Commissioner Erasmus gives an overview of the Commission's work thus far, and his hopes for it. Commissioner Robinson discusses her own Micmac community and the differences between it and Moosonee.

File contains an individual presentation by Chief Ignace Gull. Gull discusses the living conditions faced by Aboriginal people in the area which he describes as third or fourth world. Specifically he discusses water and sewer issues, fire protection, energy, social development, drug and alcohol abuse, and a lack of economic oppotunities and education. Gull also discusses trapping concerns, concerns with the justice system, problems with RCMP and Conservation Officers regarding game law enforcement, proposed hydro developments, and protection of burial sites.

File contains an individual presentation by Clifford Trapper. Trapper is a Metis man presenting on behalf of his grandfather, a Metis elder of the James Bay area. Trapper's presentation discusses uniqueness of Aboriginal culture and the need for government help with the decline of the traditional economy. It also touches on issues like pollution and self-governance.

File contains an individual presentation by Neil Thompson. Thompson presents a pre-prepared statement on behalf of the Daily Press in Timmins, Ontario by John Farrington. Farrington addresses the Commission about the publications they create for Aboriginal communities, and youth literacy programs they run. Following the presentation Thompson discusses these programs with Commissioner Georges Erasmus.

File contains a presentation by Peter Nakogee. Nakogee gives a demographic overview of the community of Moosonee, and discusses the composition of the Moosonee Development Board (a system of local governance) of which he is a part. Commissioner Erasmus discusses this governance model with him following the presentation.

File contains a discussion between an unidentified teacher at the Northern Lights secondary school in Moosonee, Ontario and Commissioner Georges Erasmus. The teacher asks a question of Erasmus for an unidentified student who wishes to know why the Assembly of First Nations doesn't have students needs as its number one priority. Following this query is a discussion between Erasmus and the student via the teacher on youth issues, and then on the Commissions work with the Metis people.

File contains a presentation by Wilbert Wesley. Wesley discusses the Cree language and his views on its incorporation into the education system. Wesley states that he thinks Cree should be made compulsory, and that it should also be publicized via media. Commissioner Viola Robinson then responds to his remarks.

Research project documented regional approaches to traditional food production and consumption to improve community health.