High Level

File contains an opening prayer by Roy Meneen and opening remarks by Co-Chair Rene Dussault during the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples on Thursday, October 29, 1992, at High Level, Alberta. Dussault states the Commission's mandate and goals as well as welcoming the participants.

RCAP 53 contains files from the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at the Royal Canadian Legion hall in High Level, Alberta. This sitting of the Commission contains presentations relating to First Nations and Metis peoples, civic government, social services, and educational institutions. Each presentation can be viewed individually on this site.

File contains a presentation by Bob Fix and Norman Champagne on behalf of Fairview College. Fix discusses the college's experience with providing post-secondary education for Aboriginal people who form 60-65 percent of the student body. Following the presentation is a discussion between Fix and Commissioners Dussault and Robinson on the college's operations and programming.

File contains a presentation by Clarence Fournier on behalf of the Beaver First Nation. Fournier discusses post-secondary education and the challenges which his people face in aquiring it including bureaucratic difficulties, and housing concerns. Following the presentation is a discussion between Fournier and Commissioners Dussault, Robinson, and Beaulieu on post-secondary education issues.

File contains a presentation by Father Charles Deharveng. Deharveng offers his personal observations on the struggle for Aboriginal self-government, and what he views as the need for Aboriginal political unity in achieving these goals, as well as relating some of his own life experience in the North. Following his presentation, Commissioner Dussault thanks him for his observations.

File contains a presentation by Irwin Packham, Mayor of High Level, Alberta. Packham welcomes the Royal Commission on behalf of the town council, and commends it on its mandate and goals.

File contains a presentation by John Crisp. Crisp discusses the Paddle Prairie Metis Settlement, its establishment, history, and socioeconomic condition. Crisp relates problems with the Federal government whose census refuses to acknowledge Paddle Prairie's existence as a Metis Settlement, and a variety of health care, social services, and education concerns. Following the presentation is a discussion between Crisp and Commissioners Barb Beaulieu and Rene Dussault on these topics.

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 Laura Dahdona, Matthew Nanooch, William Pelech, and Mary Francis on behalf of Aboriginal Social Work Students in High Level. Dahdona discusses funding and accessibility issues with regard to post-secondary education.

File contains a presentation by Leona Shandruk and Arvin Landry on behalf of the High Level Friendship Centre. Shandruk discusses her concern for continued support for Friendship Centres across the country for the good work they do helping bridge the gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people. Arvin Landry, the Youth Worker, presents on the needs of youth in the community and some of the programming he has been involved with to help young people.

File contains a presentation by Mike Cardinal. Cardinal, who is area supervisor for Native Counselling Services in High Level, discusses what his organization is and relates its history. Cardinal then discusses the organizations programming, particularly with relation to the justice system. Following the presentation is a discussion between Cardinal, Robinson, Dussault, and Beaulieu with regard to Native Counselling Services.

File contains a presentation by Ralph Richard on behalf of Native Employment Services in High Level, Alberta. Richard discusses his organizations history as a formerly federally funded, and now provincially funded agency that acts as an "honest broker" between non-Aboriginal employers and Aboriginal people. Richard discusses some of the issues his organization faces in this respect and their work with pipeline companies in Alberta. Following the presentation is a discussion between Richard and Commissioners Beaulieu, Robinson, and Dussault.

This file contains a transcript of a portion of a sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at Elizabeth Metis Settlement, Alberta. This portion includes a presentation for the Paddle Prairie Metis Settlement by Florence Wanuch concerning social services, healing, employment and housing in the Metis community.

Study involved interviews, observations, written surveys, meetings, and other consultations. Sample drawn from residents of Wabasca, Fox Lake, Ft. Mckay, and Fort Chipewyan in 2007-2008.