RCAP 41 contains files from the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples in Kispiox, British Columbia. This sitting of the Commission contains presentations relating to education, land claims, self-governemnt, family and women's issues. Each presentation can be viewed individually on this site.

File contains closing remarks by Georges Erasmus, Co-Chair.

File contains opening remarks by Georges Erasmus that explain the purpose and goals of the Commission. Erasmus introduces Art Wilson, Commissioner For the Day.

File contains a presentation by Alice Kruta and Lorraine Dennis discussing the plight of Aboriginal people trying to negotiate through the Aboriginal system where it is unjust. They state that there are no appeal processes for those who question their Band or First Nations leadership. The women call on the Commission to help make Aboriginal leadership accountable to their own members. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Brian Williams focusing on social issues in education. He states that each Aboriginal community must have an economic base that provides adequate training that results in jobs and financial security for its residents. He also believes that each community's land base must be acknowledged by the Canadian and British Columbia governments and calls on the Commission to ensure continuing funding to ensure the preservation of the Gitksan culture and language, and all Aboriginal languages.

File contains a presentation by Don Ryan focusing on Aboriginal rights and title. He gives the Commission documents that his organization wants recorded in the official record for the purposes of the Commission. He introduces Herb George, speaking for the Wet'suwet'en people.

File contains a presentation by Elmer Derrick and Doreen Sherry relating to education of Gitanyow children and youth. Large numbers of Gitanyow youth are returning to school and the speakers call on the Commission to secure funding for a new school. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Gary Patsey focusing on self-government of Gitanmaax based on the Gitksan governmental system. He provides a brief history of the ancient village of Gitanmaax and calls on the Commission to assist on the repealing of Section 74 of the Indian Act. Patsey also briefly discusses housing, unemployment and the negative effects of residential schools upon the Gitanmaax population. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Geraldine Sebastian focusing on education and social issues. Government funding cuts to education and band peacekeeping programs have adversely affected her community. Sebastian states the Hagwilget community wishes self-sufficiency and calls on the Commission to assist in her community's battle to educate and help its residents. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Glen Williams discussing the Gitksan culture immersion program for pre- and primary school children in Gitanyow. The program is modeled on a Maori cultural school program in New Zealand and Williams calls for more funding from the Canadian government to ensure that the Gitksan culture and language does not become extinct. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a detailed presentation by Herb George focusing on Aboriginal rights and title. He discusses the effects of the McKinnon-McBride Commission of 1913-1915 and provides legal decisions that favor the Gitksan-Wet'suwet'en people in their present-day quest for self-government. Following the presentation is a lengthy question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Irene Ness focusing on Aboriginal economic programs and Bill C-31 funding. She calls on the Commission to make housing funds available to Bill C-31 persons for use either on or off reserves as per personal situations. She also requests a review of Aboriginal economic programs to ensure the needs of Aboriginal people are met. She speaks personally of being denied program funds for her business despite meeting the required standards for funding. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Joan Ryan focusing on education for the Gitksan-Wet'suwet'en people, including programs offering fishery, carpentry, forestry and court worker training. She calls on the Commission to ensure continued funding for programs that educate Gitksan-Wet'suwet'en persons and return them back to their communities to help others. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Linda Hill George expressing concern with her organization's lack of funding from the Canadian government and the resulting lack of programs and services for Gitksan-Wet'suwet'en people. She cites statistics of monies provided for similar organizations in British Columbia and calls on the Commission to help increase funding. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Marvin Sampson focusing on the social problems caused by residential schools, forms of abuse, and alcohol and drug abuse. Sampson states the programs in place in his community are under-funded and under-staffed, resulting in broken families and individuals. He states that self-government is ineffective if Aboriginal people are unable to recover from negative events in their past. Following the presentation is a brief question-and-answer session with Georges Erasmus, Co-Chair.

File contains a presentation by Matt Vickers discussing the downsizing of the Hazelton, British Columbia district office of the Department of Indian Affairs and the adverse effect upon the Aboriginal people it serves. He also discusses Bill C-31 and what he believes is inadequate alternative funding arrangements offered by the Canadian government.

File contains a presentation by Matt Vickers focusing on the impact of the imposed political, educational, social and religious systems on North American Aboriginal peoples. He lists statistics for offences committed in the Kispiox area and calls on the Commission to ensure that "immediate steps are taken to ensure that documented cases of dysfunctional relations that are mostly a result of the residential school systems receive immediate assistance regarding their recovery process. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Violet Gellenbeck focusing on the role her organization plays in the economic development of her community. She provides a brief history of her organization and states that its goals include assisting in the initiation, expansion, improvement and promotion of viable business opportunities for the Gitksan-Wet'suwet'en people, and to pursue federal, provincial and other sources of funding to assist Gitksan-Wet'suwet'en people in achieving individual economic independence. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains remarks by Art Wilson, Commissioner For the Day. He provides a history of the Gitksan-Wet'suwet'en people and the long house where the hearing is held.