Slave Lake

RCAP 48 contains files from the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples in Slave Lake, Alberta. This sitting of the Commission contains presentations relating to education, land claims, self-government, alcohol and drug abuse issues, and women's and Métis issues. Each presentation can be viewed individually on this site.

File contains closing remarks by Rene Dussault, Co-Chair.

File contains an individual presentation by Betty Hardisty, teacher, via translator. She discusses her experiences with teaching Slave children about treaties and displays her students' wall murals that portray their understanding of treaties. Her students are fifth-generation relatives of the treaty signatories.

File contains an individual presentation by Gordon Sinclair that touches on many issues such as scrip and Indian Registration, relocation of burial grounds, pollution, spirituality, band elections and elders' rights. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains an individual presentation by Pauline Johnson describing personal difficulties she has had with Bill C-31. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains an individual presentation by Sam Sinclair focusing on environmental issues, lack of employment for local Aboriginal people with logging and oil companies working in the Slave Lake area, and land claims. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains opening remarks by Peter Moore, Mayor of Slave Lake, Alberta, welcoming the Commission to Slave Lake.

File contains opening remarks by Rene Dussault, Co-Chair, explaining the purpose and goals of the Commission.

File contains a presentation by Chief Gordon Auger relating to a land claim which the Bigstone First Nation had to the Office of Native Claims in 1989, and was revised and resubmitted in August 1991. Auger calls on the Commission to help get the land claim settled. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Chief Jim Badger focusing on negotiations with the Natural Sources Conservation Board, training and employment programs, business support programs and disability programs. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Dan Vandermeulen that begins with a brief history of the College. He states that there are Aboriginal and Métis people to wish to enrol at the College but inconsistent and insufficient funding stops them from doing so. Vandermeulen says that "it is critical that groups of people are not left stranded" regarding funding. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

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 seven members of the Indian Band Members of Faust Society, an organization representing registered band-listed treaty Indian people who live off-reserve. The presenters discuss numerous topics including the Faust local model government, land claims, hunting and trapping, Improvement District 17 and housing. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Jerry Noskiye that first details the history of the Loon River Cree Band. He seeks compensation from logging and oil companies working in the area, resulting in the destruction of traplines and the livelihood of band members. He calls on the Commission to assist in negotiate the band's land claim and to force logging and oil companies to consult with the band before starting work in the area. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Larry Desmeules and Sheila Genaille that first details the history of the Métis Nation in Canada. They state that there is "a lack of understanding of the political realities of the Métis Nation and our aspirations as a nation." Desmeules calls for the Commission to establish a round table to deal exclusively with Métis Nation issues. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Louie Cardinal and James Alook that begins by detailing the history of the Peerless Lake community. Their presentation touches on a number of issues, such as access to funds from the local Improvement District, land claims and inadequate health care for the Peerless Lake community. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Manny Chalifoux that begins with the history of Northland School Division No. 61, headquartered in Peace River, Alberta. This school division serves a predominantly Aboriginal population. Chalifoux recommends that Aboriginal language programs, in-school cultural programs, curriculum development projects, training of all staff on cross-cultural issues and training of Aboriginal people to become teachers must be supported. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

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 Peggy Sinclair focusing on recent cuts in funding and the resulting loss in programs and services at the Slave Lake Friendship Centre and at other Friendship Centres in northern Alberta. She provides statistics for funding cuts throughout the 1980s and calls on the Commission to help secure funding for essential programs. Following the presentation is a lengthy question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Robert Gambler that states that the Jean-Baptiste Gambler Reserve has been under the rule of the Bigstone Cree Nation. He expresses dissatisfaction with the Bigstone Cree Nation's governance and wonders how the Gambler Reserve fell under the jurisdiction of the Bigstone Cree Nation.

File contains a presentation by students from the Alberta Vocational Centre (AVC) in Slave Lake. It discusses difficulties finding housing in Slave Lake and questions why no student housing is available on the AVC campus. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

Discusses the Métis Training to Employment program's response to displacement that took place due to the 2011 Slave Lake fire and 2013 flood in Southern Alberta. Includes brief literature review, best practices and recommendations.