Merritt

Comments on a research project that reviews Indigenous social work and human service field education.

Discusses the meaning of literacy and makes recommendations for implementing programs suited to Aboriginal adult learners.

RCAP 63 contains files from the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at the Merritt Civic Centre, in Merritt, British Columbia on Thursday, November 5, 1992. RCAP 63 includes presentations by a variety of individuals, First Nations, a school, Tribal Councils, Stock Breeders, Corporations, and Municipal Government. Each submission can be viewed individually on this site.

File contains an opening prayer by Mabel Joe and Opening Remarks by Co-Chair Rene Dussault for the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at Merritt, British Columbia, on Thursday, November 5, 1992. Commissioner Dussault discusses the composition of the Commission, its mandate and goals, as well as welcoming the participants for this session.

File contains a presentation by on behalf of the All Nations Trust Company by General Manager Larry Peeters, and Delphine Terbasket. Peeters introduces Terbasket, who delivers a presentation on the negative effects Canadian taxation policy has had on their financial institution, All Nations Trust. He states that the high tax burden placed on All Nations Trust has made operations extremely difficult. Following the presentation Commissioners Dussault and Chartrand thank Terbasket for the presentation and make some comments on the issue.

File contains a presentation by Austin Sterling. He delivers a short presentation on the positive aspects of having Band Schools. Sterling is himself the principal of such a school. Following his remarks Commissioners Chartrand and Dussault thank him for his participation.

File contains a presentation by Bob Neale, President of the Nicola Stock Breeders' Association. Neale discusses his concerns with the land claims process underway in the Nicola Valley area of British Columbia and makes a variety of requests including that grazing rules for Crown Land be the same for Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal stock owners, and that an impartial third party be included in the land claims resolution process. Following the presentation Commissioners Dussault and Chartrand thank Neale for his contributions.

File contains a presentation by Chief Don Moses, Lower Nicola Indian Band. Moses discusses the economic history of the Nicola Valley, and the history of his people. Moses gives some concrete recommendations to develop a land use and economic development framework for his people, for which Commissioners Dussault and Chatrand thank him.

File contains a presentation by Chief Fred Holmes. Holmes discusses his views on the situation in Upper Nicola and the "environment vs the environmentalist." Holmes discusses the importance of self-education and recognition of key issues including education, land claims, political organizations, and immigration. Following the presentation Commissioners Dussault and Chartrand thank Holmes for his thoughts.

File contains a presentation by Chief Gordon Antoine, Coldwater Indian Band. Chief Antoine makes a series of 13 recommendations for the Royal Commission on the relationship of his people with the Canadian government.

File contains a presentation by Chief Kowaintco Shackelly, Nooaitch Indian Band. Shackelly discusses the Charlottetown Accord, its package dealing with Aboriginal issues, its defeat by referendum, self-governance, language concerns, women's issues (including Bill C-31), and a variety of health concerns especially the need for more Aboriginal health practitioners and participation in the system. Following her presentation Commissioners Dussault, Chartrand and Chief Don Moses, engage Shackelly in a conversation about some of the issues highlighted.

File contains a presentation by Chief Robert Pasco of the Nlaka'pamux Tribal Council. Pasco, Chief of the Oregon Jack Creek Indian Band, discusses the history of his Nlaka'pamux Nation and its efforts to create a strong centralized government in the 1870s, as well as the suppression of this movement by the federal government. Pasco goes on to relate the desire of his people to have a written Constitution based on their traditions and to engage in a government to government relationship with the federal government. Pasco also discusses ongoing land claims and fisheries disputes.

File contains a presentation on behalf of the Merritt City Council by Councillor Rick Typusiak. He welcomes the Commission to Merritt. Following this, he delivers a presentation discussing the relations between First Nations and municipal governments, and the City's views and concerns regarding Aboriginal self-government. Typusiak discusses economic issues, and expresses the desire of the Council that the Department of Indian Affairs and the Indian Act both be abolished. Following the presentation Commissioners Dussault and Erasmus thank Typusiak and make some comments on his presentation.

File contains a presentation by the Nicola Valley Native Community Law Office, Merritt Legal Services, by Cliff Thorstenson. He discusses his observations on Aboriginal people and the Canadian justice system, particularly with regards to the local situation. Thorstenson offers a critique of justice institutions, and recommends a more culturally appropriate approach to community justice issues. Following the presentation is a discussion between Commissioners Chartrand and Dussault on justice concerns.

File contains a presentation by the Coldwater Band School. School. The presentation is made up of comments by multiple students at both the elementary and secondary level highlighting collective concerns such as the physical, mental, and environmental well-being of their community. 15 students and staff speak in total. Following the presentations are comments by Commissioners Dussault and Chartrand thanking the presenters for their contributions.

File contains a presentation by Eliza Montgomery. Montgomery delivers a short presentation which requests that funding go directly to the NVIT (Nicola Valley Institute of Technology). Commissioner Dussault thanks her for her remarks.

File contains a presentation by George Saddleman. Saddleman welcomes the Commission on behalf of the Nicola Valley Tribal Council, then proceeds to give an organizational breakdown of the organization and discuss its institutional history. Saddleman discusses issues facing the Tribal Council's members such as water rights, fishing and hunting rights, and land claims. Following the presentation Commissioners Dussault and Chartrand thank Saddleman for his presentation.

File contains a presentation by Gordon Swan of the Nicola Valley Community Futures Association. Swan discusses his organization, a Non-Profit whose focus is on promoting employment opportunities within the community by both encouraging business growth and helping workers match up with jobs. Following the presentation Commissioners Dussault, Chartrand, and Joe thank Swan.

File contains a presentation by Harold Joe. He discusses land claims in the area and his own familiy's participation in the land rights struggle. Joe also refers to a legal paper he has given to the Commissioners. Commissioners Chief Percy Joe and Dussault thank Harold Joe for his contribution.

File contains a presentation by John Zahradnik. Zahradnik discusses Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal worldviews, ranching in the Nicola Valley, and the need to create a cultural synthesis when it comes to land management and use patterns. Following the presentation Commissioners Dussault and Chartrand thank Zahradnik for his thoughts.

File contains a presentation by the Native Outpatient Centre: Meysncut Counselling Centre by Sara Williams and Jane Caprion. Sara Williams begins with a presentation giving an overview of their organization, and its work dealing with abuse and education in the community. Williams also makes a variety of organizational and funding recommendations to the Commission related to the organization's work. Following this Commissioners Dussault and Chartrand engage Williams and Caprion in a discussion on the issues raised, and the activities of the Centre.

File contains presentations by Lorraine Moses, and Chief Gordon Antoine (Coldwater Indian Band), both of the Nicola Valley Indian Development Corporation. Moses presents on a variety of economic issues her organization is concerned with including the tourism industry, financing, education, and related matters. One key point she highlights is the relationship of Aboriginal people with Canada's banks.

File contains presentations by Mandy Na'zinek Jimmie, and Amy Thom of the Nicola Valley Language Advisory Group. Jimmie delivers a presentation on Aboriginal language use, its importance, and the need for self-governance. Following remarks on this by Commissioner Dussault, Thom makes some personal remarks on the issue from the perspective of both a First Nations person and a language instructor. Following this Commissioners Dussault and Chartrand thank the presenters for their thoughts.

File contains a presentation on behalf of the Shacken Band School. Martha Aspinall, Charmane Sheena, and Sally Holmes discuss a variety of concerns regarding Band Schools, post-secondary funding, racism and discrimination, and jurisdictional issues. Following the presentation Commissioners Dussault and Chartrand thank the presenters for their thoughts.

File contains a presentation by Shelley Nitikman, President of the Musqueam/Salish Park Residents' Association. The Association is a non-profit society of non-Aboriginal leaseholders who live on land that was surrendered for lease by the Musqueam Indian Band near the City of Vancouver. Nitikman discusses a variety of taxation and jurisdictional concerns which require legislative clarity, and protests that the people represented by her group are living under a situation of taxation without representation.

File contains a presentation by Warren Williams of the Nicola Valley Tribal Council Family and Children's Services Advisory Board. Williams discusses the Tribal Councils efforts to develop a First Nations Child and Family Services agency and model. Following the presentation Commissioner Dussault thanks Williams, and Commissioner Chartrand converses with Williams about some of the topics raised in the presentation.

File contains a presentation by Michael Low, Manager for the Western Region of Weyerhauser Canada. Low discusses the Weyerhauser Corporation's vision for working with Aboriginal individuals and communities in the forestry industry, stresses the importance of cultural understanding, and highlights some of the developments that have been made in the relationship. Following the presentation Commissioners Dussault, Chartrand, and Joe thank Low for his presentation.