Looks at the example of innovative and cost-effective solutions for food and housing gaps caused by economic growth and industrial development in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Labrador.

RCAP 40 contains files from the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Labrador. This sitting of the Commission contains presentations relating to education, the Canadian Constitution, land claims, the Moravian Church, and Metis, Inuit and women's issues. Each presentation can be viewed individually on this site.

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

File contains comments by Walter Clarke regarding a future visit by the Commission to Gander, Newfoundland. Clarke will give his presentation at that time.

File contains an individual presentation by Arthur Williams focusing on education and the individual freedom to choose a career. He speaks of his choice to attend aviation school and the lack of funding for flying as a career. He calls on the Commission to help to secure funding to attend aviation school in British Columbia. Following the discussion is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains an individual presentation by Barbara Wood addressing the lack of educational opportunities for Metis people in Labrador. She is a single mother putting two sons through University and describes the financial hardship involved. She calls on the Commission to assist Labradorian youth who seek education and "a future free of debt." Following the discussion is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains an individual presentation by Beatrice Watts focusing primarily on education. She provides a brief history of the Inuit in Labrador and relocation efforts in the 1950s and 1960s. In 1977 the first Inuit education conference was held, which laid the groundwork for the teaching of Inuktitut and cultural programs in schools. Watts also briefly discusses the Inuit radio station at Main, Labrador and a 1978 conference sponsored by Inuit women held in Labrador. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains an individual presentation by Claris Rudkowski, businesswoman from North West River, Labrador. She questions the lack of Aboriginal women in business and attributes that to a lack of education opportunities, a lack of daycare facilities, and a lack of support from family and friends. Rudkowski asks the Commission not to forget about women's issues, lost among the larger issues of land claims and self-government.

File contains a presentation by David Martin and read by Doris Saunders. It focuses on mobility rights of Aboriginal peoples.

File contains a presentation by Doris Saunders that details the histories of Happy Valley and Goose Bay communities, their amalgmation in 1974, and the services provided today.

File contains an individual presentation by Hank Shouse, businessman and former mayor of Happy Valley-Goose Bay. He states that Labrador is not served well politically by having only 4 of 52 members of the Provincial House of Assembly, the rest being Newfoundlanders. The control of Labrador is held in St. John's, Newfoundland, and Shouse believes that the Inuit, Innu, Metis, non-Aboriginals and other groups should form their own territorial House of Assembly. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains an individual presentation by Michael Voisey who seeks information on the land claims deal involving Sango Bay, Labrador. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains an individual presentation by Mrs. Millicent Loder, oldest elder in the community. She describes her childhood, the infrequent visits by doctors, her father's employment with the Hudson's Bay Company, nursing training in the United States, raising her children in Labrador, and her role as a valued elder in her community.

File contains an individual presentation by Mrs. Hilda Lyall focusing on the rights of Aboriginal women. She describes her personal experience with attempting to find work after completing a two-year translator course and feels that men are automatically assumed to be better workers. She calls on the Commission to address the inequality of not hiring women who are as qualified as men. Following the discussion is a short question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains brief opening remarks by Kathy Lane, Commissioner For the Day.

File contains opening remarks by Rene Dussault, Co-Chair, that explains the purpose and goals of the Commission. He introduces Viola Robinson and Mary Sillett, Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Bernard Heard, speaking as an individual member of the Labrador Metis Association. It focuses on recognition and acceptance of the Labrador Metis people. He states that the Canadian Constitution recognizes Aboriginal people in Canada as the Indians, the Inuit and the Metis, but the federal and provincial governments operate as if the Metis in Labrador do not exist. He calls on the Commission to assist with more recognition with the federal government. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Dorothy King discussing the role of libraries in promoting cultural awareness between groups in furthering and enhancing education generally for Labradorians. She calls on the Commission to help stop annual cutbacks in funding which affect the service hours of libraries and the ability to send books to the more remote areas of Labrador. Following the discussion is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Harry Baikie focusing on economic development in the Happy Valley-Goose Bay region. He discusses the Trans-Labrador Highway, the industry of pilot training, the resolution of land claims in Labrador, and development of a forestry industry and hydro power. Following the discussion is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

This file contains a presentation by Iris Allen and Margaret Webb focusing on the problems created by the lack of health care services for Inuit people in Labrador. They discuss health problems created by substance abuse, family violence and inadequate housing. The speakers are particularly concerned with the physical and mental health of the youth of Labrador. They call on the Commission to increase financial and professional assistance to Labrador Inuit communities, and to ensure these communities have input in local health care programs.

File contains a presentation by Jamie Farrell discussing the role of group homes in the rehabiliation of young offenders in Labrador. She states that often the youth need to escape a bad home life so they commit crimes and enter the group home, often a safer environment than their own home. Farrell also discusses the high rate of suicide among Labradorian youth. Following the discussion is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Jim Learning focusing on recognition and acceptance of the Labrador Metis people. His organization works for "equity of the treatment of our our people in Labrador through the land claims process." He states that the Canadian government must not longer continue to deny the rights of the Labrador Metis people. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Linda Andersen focusing on legal resources for Aboriginal people in Labrador. She provides a history of her organization and states its purpose is to assist Aboriginal people in their dealings with the justice system. Andersen calls upon the Commission to ensure that funding from the Native Court Worker Program continues so that her organization can establish programs for young offenders to attempt to lower the rate of recidivism. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Ralph Tooktoshina and Alex Saunders, whose organization represents fishermen from the Upper Lake Melville area of Labrador. Tooktoshina discusses the lack of advancement opportunities for Aboriginal fishermen. Saunders discusses the new fish plant in Makkovik, Labrador, despite fish depletion at that settlement. Following the discussion is a lengthy question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Reverend Walter Edmunds of the Moravian Church of Labrador. He provides a brief history of the Moravian Church in Labrador and discusses the overlapping land claims of the Moravian Church and the Labrador Inuit Association. Following the discussion is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Robin Dupuis relating to the treatment of alcohol and drug abuse in Labrador. Dupuis provides a history of his organization and states that alcohol and drug abuse is the major problem facing Aboriginal people in Labrador. Once the 28-day treatment program is completed, after-treatment programs are not in place to assist people with their rehabiliation, therefore they relapse and continue to use alcohol or drugs. Dupuis calls on the Commission to ensure adequate funding for after-treatment programs.

Mixed methods study that examines the challenges and opportunities of waste management—including household waste and accumulations generated by military installations and extractive industries—in Nain and Happy Valley-Goose Bay.