Edmonton

File contains a presentation by Clint Buehler, Executive Director, Metis Nation of Alberta. Buehler outlines the steps the MNA has taken towards self-governance both in terms of consultation within its membership and negotiations with the provincial and federal governments.

This file contains a presentation by Cyndy Desmeules-Bertolin, Fred Anderson and Stan Plante focusing on the effects of funding cuts to their organization. The group calls for the transfer of existing program dollars to Metis institutions. They also call for a Round Table to discuss the needs and provide support to Metis children and families. A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.

File contains a presentation by Darrell Bretton, First Nations Freedom Network. Bretton discusses his organization which he says is "a unique agency which deals with the transition from incarceration to reintegration of our people into overall society...developing a network of aboriginal groups and professionals to address the widespread societal problem of aboriginal recidivism."

This file contains a presentation by Denis Tardif, George Ares and Lynn Lemieux that focuses on two issues; the need to dialogue on issues of importance to Canada, and the question of social harmony within the Canadian society or within the Canadian context.

File contains a presentation by Denis Tardif that begins with a brief history of Aboriginal and Francophone relations in Alberta. He states that "Canadian society consists of three major national communities; the native national community, the Francophone national community and the anglophone national community." These groups must work together "to succeed in the great goal of building a just Canadian society." A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.

File contains a presentation by Dennis Thorne. Thorne, whose Oglala Lakota (Sioux) name is Tungan Cikala, speaks on the topic of "Protection of Traditional Spiritual Beliefs." Included in his presentation are problems with the Canadian border and the guards measures there against Aboriginal holy people (Thorne argues that the Jay Treaty enshrines freedom of movement for Aboriginal people across the Canada-U.S.

This file contains a presentation by Donald Eastcott that summarizes his group's proposal relating to Aboriginal self-determination and self-government.

This file contains a presentation by Doris Ronnenberg and Richard Long focusing on practical models for the financing of urban self-government, including delivery of services to Alberta off-reserve Aboriginal people. They state that an Aboriginal government should be respected as a form of government, just like that provincial and federal governments. The speakers will submit a written presentation to the Commission at a later date. A brief question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.

File contains a presentation by Doris Ronnenberg and Roy Littlechief focusing on two issues: the perceived lack of fairness and equity of access in dealing with the Tribal Council in Alberta, and a double standard contained in the new off-loading or downloading agreement in Social Services delivery signed in 1991 by the governments of Canada and Alberta. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Dr. Anne Anderson. Anderson's presentation entitled "The history of the Metis nation." The presentation gives a general overview of Metis history from Anderson's own personal perspective and what she thinks is its relevance.

File contains a presentation by Dr. John Butt, Chief Medical Examiner for the Province of Alberta. Butt's duties include the investigation of sudden death in the province, and he relates that he has statistics showing high incidence of alcohol related violent death within Aboriginal communities across Alberta. Butt states that his wish is not to sensationalize the problem but to fill in a gap in social science literature which has not adequately addressed this issue and bring it to the concern of the Commission. He then introduces the next presenter his colleague, Mary Ellen Arnup.

File contains a presentation by Edward Morin of the Enoch Cree Nation. Morin describes his life experiences as a Status Indian in Alberta, including residential schooling, relations with government officials, discrimination in the justice system, and other problems. Morin also offers up his own views on the Constitution and the need to provide people with economic opportunity in Canada, both Aboriginal and non.

File contains a presentation by Everett Lambert. Lambert, a Mohawk-Cree-Metis man, discusses economic development for Aboriginal Canadians. Lambert states that "Natives don't just need money. Natives need jobs. They need meaningful full-time jobs, jobs that keep them busy eight hours a day, 40 houyrs a week, not the part-time underpaying overworked position too many of our people presently hold." Following the presentation Commissioners Blakeney and Shirt discuss employment issues with Lambert.

This file contains a presentation by four members of the Lubicon Settlement Commission of Review. The Commission of Review was organized in [1992] and launched by Ray Martin, Leader of the Opposition, Government of Alberta. Their mandate was to investigate, compare, assess and report on the presentation of the Lubicons to the two levels of government and to report to the three parties and to the public. The Commission of Review in March 1993 tabled their report before the public with the Lubicons present. Both levels of government were not present despite repeated invitations.

File contains a presentation by Gerald Thom, Senior Vice-President of the Metis Nation of Alberta. Thom thanks the Commission and introduces several MNA officials, then makes a few general remarks on the political situation for the Metis, Alberta, and Canada. To conclude his presentation he introduces the next presenter Thelma Chalifoux, Senator Co-Chair of the Metis Nation of Alberta.

File contains a presentation by Irma White-Pattmore, founder and president of the National Urban Aboriginal League (NUAL). NUAL's goal is to "provide a co-existing solution that supports the need for an adequate and comfortable relationship between Aboriginal peoples, the Canadian government and the non-Aboriginals of Canada. She calls for an Aboriginal Embassy in Canada that would provide programs and assistance to Aboriginal women, on-reserve people, Metis people, off-reserve people and Inuit.

File contains a presentation by Jack Houle that describes the difficulty of opening a business in Edmonton while being an off-reserve resident. Roadblocks for funding come from various Aboriginal organizations and his own First Nations. He calls on the Commission to help him secure funding. A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.

This file contains a presentation by Jan Reimer, Mayor of Edmonton, Alberta, who first provides the Commissioners with a recent issue of a publication titled Tracking the Trends. The publication provides an overview of socio-demographic information and monitors significant trends that will affect the delivery of human services in Edmonton. A recent issue featured Edmonton's Aboriginal population. Reimer lists a number of Aboriginal groups and organizations in Edmonton who attempt to help Aboriginals adjust to urban life and states that more work needs to be done.

This file contains a presentation by Jeff Loenen, Deloras Huff and James Mackay relating to the Native Brotherhood of the Edmonton Maximum Security Institution. The Native Brotherhood is incorporated presently under the Societies Act in Alberta as a not-for-profit organization whose objectives are to promote native culture and spirituality at the Institution. The group offers sweat lodge ceremonies, drumming ceremonies, elders' meetings and family support groups. But with the recent change in status of the Institution from medium to maximum security, a number of programs have been cut.

File contains a presentation by John Loftus on behalf of the Action North Recovery Centre. Loftus discusses the challenges his organization (which treats drug and alcohol abuse, as well as family violence cases) deals with in High Level. Foremost among his concerns are a lack of professional staff and resources. Following the presentation is a discussion between Loftus and Commissioners Dussault and Robinson on these issues.

File contains a presentation by Ken Noskiye whose organization in 1989 signed the Metis Settlements Accord with the Alberta government. The Accord established principles for a partnership for Metis self-determination, giving the Metis a land base within to govern themselves in the legislative framework for governance. Noskiye calls for the Commission to ensure the Metis are not left out of government negotiations in the future. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

This file contains a presentation by Larry Chartrand and Troy Chalifoux of the Indigenous Law Program at the University of Alberta. Chartrand wonders if "my promoting the virtues of a legal education to Aboriginal students is essentially promoting Aboriginal society, or are we promoting the continued subjugation of Aboriginal people by the European-based colonial powers?"

File contains a presentation by Larry Kaida that describes various programs offered by some Canadian universities relating to encouraging and advising Aboriginals upon entrance into university. Kaida is also involved in a program where Aboriginal students have on-the-job training with oil and gas companies in Alberta, with guaranteed employment upon graduation. He calls upon the Commission to ensure that funding continues for these local and national university programs.

This file contains a presentation by Lawrence Coutreille and Jeffrey Rath relating to broken treaties. They state that Fort McKay is 20 kilometers from the two biggest oil-sands in Canada, yet half the community does not have water and sewer, adequate roads and infrastructure. The speakers say that treaty promises have been broken and cite a number of Canadian court cases that favored Aboriginals. A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.

File contains a presentation by Maggie Hodgeson discussing the Nechi Institute's purpose and goals. In the last 18 years this Aboriginal training institute has trained 2500 counsellors to work in the 15 Aboriginal treatment programs and 30 prevention programs in Alberta. Hodgeson calls for the Commission to ensure funding for the Nechi Institute continues because its graduates are contributing to the decline of substance abuse among Aboriginals in Alberta.

File contains a presentation by Marge Friedel. Friedel presents on behalf of the Women of the Metis Nation of Alberta. Friedel addresses the exclusion of women from the Canadian Constitutional process, and the struggle for inclusion within Metis political organizations. Friedel also discusses self-government and critiques the Metis National Council for not, in her view, representing the concerns of Metis women. Following the presentation is a discussion between Friedel and the Commissioners Chartrand and Blakeney on the issues contained therein.

File contains an individual presentation by Marlene Poitras expressing her frustration with poor housing and living conditions for Aboriginals. She states those conditions are directly related to the rate of illness and disease among Aboriginals. She says that off-reserve Aboriginals particularly suffer with poor housing conditions. Poitras calls on the Commission to ensure that adequate funding is given to lifestyle and health programs for all Aboriginals. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Mary Ellen Arnup, Research Officer, Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Province of Alberta. Arnup presents statistical information on the prevalence of unnatural deaths in the Aboriginal communities of Alberta due to alcohol or drug abuse with relation to the rate in the non-Aboriginal community. Arnup presents her findings. Following the presentation Arnup and preceding presenter John Butt discuss their findings with Commissioners Blakeney and Chartrand.

This file contains a presentation by Melanie Omeniho that first describes her organization's mandate as being a political activist group that continues to develop and/or improve social structures to meet the needs of Metis women. The group assists in developing economic bases for Metis women, as well as developing educational and culturally sensitive opportunities to better the lives of Metis women.

File contains a presentation by Norman Quinney and Joe Houle, war veterans whose organization, founded in 1982, had to disband because of no funding. The speakers call for the Commission to ensure continuing funding for the association so it can fight for the rights that Aboriginal veterans were denied upon return of service.

File contains a presentation by Pearl Calahasen, MLA for the Lesser Slave Lake constituency in Alberta. She begins her presentation by acknowledging she is speaking as an Aboriginal person, not as MLA. She describes her personal experiences with racism when entering high school in a large city, with post-secondary educational institutions, and with her campaign to run for MLA. Calahasen discusses education, economic development, and fishing, hunting and trapping issues. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Regena Crowchild, President of the Indian Association of Alberta. Crowchild discusses Aboriginal lands in Canada, and argues that the Canadian government uses a racist approach to land claims questions based on the outdated notion of terra nulius. To ameliorate this, Crowchild suggests the Canadian government must recognize "Indigenous ownership to lands and resources." Crowchild then discusses Treaties and the need to discuss the benefits that non-Aboriginal people enjoy from the Treaty relationship.

This file contains a presentation by four members of the Indian Association of Alberta. The first speaker, Regena Crowchild, expresses disappointment with the Royal Commission's recommendation that "the right to self-determination is to 'pursue self-government within the structure of Confederation to join in the process of building a country that derives its strength from the contributions of all its peoples' is to misconstrue the meaning of the right of self-determination." Chowchild believes that "states have a duty to accommodate the aspirations of Indigenous peoples.

File contains a presentation by Richard Long that examines concerns of the off-reserve Aboriginal person. Long states that off-reserve Aboriginal persons feel they have no political or financial power and he questions who will govern urban Aboriginals in the larger centres. He introduces Nora Houle, representative of the Native Council of Canada Board of Directors.

File contains a presentation by Ron Bell that calls for increased funding for Aboriginal post-secondary education. He also suggests that an Aboriginal university be established in northern Manitoba. Bell introduces Larry Kaida, also of the University of Alberta.

File contains a presentation by Roy Littlechief focusing on the misuse of power by the chief and band council relating to his unidentified First Nations. Accountability is needed with money and policies and he says reserve residents are denied better housing because of the greed.

This file contains a presentation by members of the Coalition Against First Nations Genocide, a group representing the grassroots of First Nations across Canada.

File contains a presentation by Thelma Chalifoux, Senator Co-Chair, Metis Nation of Alberta. Chalifoux discusses the institution of the Metis Senate in Alberta. Chalifoux gives an overview of its composition and goals, and relates how it draws its inspiration from the Senate of the Metis provisional government of Red River in 1870.

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.

File contains a presentation by Tony Mandamin. Mandamin (a lawyer) discusses the legal system in Canada and Aboriginal societies' interactions with it. Mandamin highlights associated issues such as Aboriginal over-representation in the penal system, and a lack of cultural appropriateness in legal proceedings. Following the presentation is a discussion between Mandamin and Commissioners Blakeney and Chartrand on some of these issues.

This file contains a presentation by Wayne Taylor illustrating the numerous barriers Aboriginal people face in seeking involvement in small business and economic development in Canada. The Edmonton Chamber of Commerce has recognized challenges such as lack of skills, lack of direct linkages with the business community, and prohibitive government policy that impedes the progress of Aboriginals becoming small business owners.

File contains volume 3 of the transcript of the National Round Table on Aboriginal Health and Social Issues of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at Vancouver, British Columbia. This portion of the volume contains a presentation of Discussion Paper I by Brenda Sinclair on behalf Aboriginal people with disabilities on Day 3. Questions concerning this paper are found after the presentation of Discussion paper K.

File contains opening remarks by Alfred Genaille of Chelan, Saskatchewan. Genaille discusses his two hopes for the Commission which are the return of Metis hunting rights, and a land base for the Metis people.

File contains opening remarks by Senator Fred L'Hirondelle. Included are observations on his service in the Armed Forces and the need for the Commission to address veteran's issues.

Political Science Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Alberta, 2013.

Looks at challenges faced by programs in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Quebec.

Examines existing programs operating in Canada, evidence of impact on service utilization, health, and overall quality of life, and the need for Indigenous components in addictions treatment.

Research found that in the Phoenix Program, for sex offenders, in Edmonton, there was a significant difference in serum testosterone levels.