St. John\'s

Social Work Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Calgary, 2006. Purpose of this study is to explore the experiences of five Aboriginal individuals who formerly used solvents and factors related to their transition to non-use.

Statistical table.

Book review of: Prophecy of the Swan by David V. Burley, J. Scott Hamilton, and Knut R. Fladmark.

RCAP 16 contains files from the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples in St. John's, Newfoundland. This sitting of the Commission contains a variety of presentations related to various issues such as education, health services, self-government, employment and business opportunities, land claims and Inuit matters. Each presentation can be viewed individually on this site.

RCAP 17 contains files from the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples in Victoria, British Columbia. This sitting of the Commission contains a variety of presentations related to various issues such as children's, women's and elder rights, education, the Canadian Constitution and self-government. Each presentation can be viewed individually on this site.

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 opening remarks by Rene Dussault, Co-Chair, and Commissioner Mary Sillett. Dussault introduces the Co-Commissioners for the Day, Grand Chief Wilson Samms and youth Co-Commissioner Lisa Blandford. Dussault gives a brief talk on the purpose and objectives of the Commission. Mary Sillett introduces the members of the Royal Commission who organized the hearings in St. John's. Sillett notes that this is the Commission's second round of hearings in St. John's, and that when the Commission returns to Newfoundland, they will go to another community.

File contains a presentation by Bernice Sheehan expressing concern with status classifications of Aboriginal people: on reserve, off reserve, status, non-status and Metis. Metis as a group are not recognized by the Newfoundland provincial government, and as a result are denied services that recognized Metis receive in other provinces. Sheehan hopes the Commission will recommend provincial recognition to Newfoundland Metis to bring them in line with other groups. Following the presentation is a discussion with the Commission members.

File contains a presentation by Danny Pottle, representative, St. John's Native Friendship Centre. He introduces two women from the Friendship Centre as co-presenters. An overview and brief history of the Centre with available services and programs are presented. Among other points, Pottle recommends that the work of interpreting be recognized by government agencies. Following the presentation is a discussion with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by David Murray, Regional Director General, Employment and Immigration Canada (EIC). He first introduces Yvonne Myers, Pathways Co-ordinator for Newfoundland and Labrador. Murray provides the history of Pathways, a program developed by EIC to help Aboriginal people enter the workforce. Pathways works with other educational institutions in Newfoundland and Labrador to provide the necessary services for Aboriginal people to secure employment.

File contains a presentation by Dr. Boyce Fradsham, representative, Native and Northern Teacher Education Programs. He discusses the two education programs: Teacher Education Program in Labrador (TEPL), and the Native and Northern Teacher Education Program. Fradsham provides the history of both programs and hopes that the funding he requests will allow the two programs to continue and develop more Aboriginal teachers in Newfoundland. Following the presentation is a discussion with the panel.

File contains a presentation by Garfield Warren suggesting that "justice demands the recognition and preservation of the integrity of the Aboriginal nations." Warren seeks middle ground between the Canadian government and Aboriginal leaders relating to land claims and self-government and hopes the Commission can influence this issue. Following the presentation is a discussion with the Commission members.

File contains a presentation by Gerry Penney, representative, Conne River, Newfoundland, that reiterates statements made by the previous speaker, Jerry Wetzel, also of Conne River, Newfoundland.

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 Jack Harris, Member, House of Assembly, St. John's, Newfoundland. He introduces Clee Newhook, Leader, Newfoundland and Labrador New Democratic Party, who makes a brief statement. Harris is a Member of the House of Assembly for St. John's East district. He states that Aboriginal people in Newfoundland receive different treatment from their provincial government as compared to Aboriginals elsewhere in Canada.

This file contains a presentation by Penny Ericson focusing on how her association attracts Canadian Aboriginal students in the nursing field. Ericson states the need for additional recruitment and retention of Aboriginal nurses. A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.

File contains a presentation by Rhoda Fiander, social worker at Waterford Hospital, St. John's, Newfoundland. Waterford Hospital has the only psychiatric facility in Newfoundland. She presents five recommendations to assist in the treatment of mental health issues for Aboriginal people, including improved access to interpreting services, training of social work staff that includes Aboriginal culture issues, and support and advocacy must be given to Aboriginal peoples' desire to heal themselves. Following the presentation is a discussion with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Rt. Hon. Len Simms, Leader of the Official Opposition in Newfoundland. Simms focuses on Aboriginal self-government. He provides the history of Newfoundland as a province and sees parallels between that and Aboriginal self-government. Following the presentation is a discussion with the Commission members.

File contains a brief individual presentation by Walter Davis, a [retired health care worker] who, years ago, travelled by boat doing health education work along the coast of Labrador. He apologizes, as a non-Native, for his ancestors who "exploited your resources for all they were worth." He believes that attitudes are changing, but notes that only two years earlier [1990], there was no government support at any level regarding a proposed commemorative tablet in the Peace Park in honour of the Beothuk people. In closing, Davis thanks the Commission for their work.

File contains a presentation by William Anderson III pertaining mainly to a submission made to the Commission regarding a Government of Newfoundland and Labrador discussion paper, dated November 1991, on an accelerated approach to Aboriginal land claims in Newfoundland and Labrador.

File contains a presentation by Yance Sheehan and Lisa Blandford, Aboriginal youths concerned with education (particularly the teaching of Metis history and culture) and the lack of recreational facilities for Aboriginal youth. They suggest that the Royal Commission plan a session only for Aboriginal youth to hear their ideas. Following the presentation are comments made by the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Yvonne Myers, Pathways Co-ordinator for Newfoundland and Labrador. Pathways works with other educational institutions in Newfoundland and Labrador to provide the necessary services for Aboriginal people to secure employment. Myers requests that government funding not be cut. Following the presentation is a discussion with the Commission.

Study based on five case studies: Prince George, BC; Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; Brantford, Ont; and St. John's Newfoundland. Data was collected between December 2006 and April 2007.

Recommendations developed in areas education and training, economic development, programs and services, traditional materials/medicines, support services and staff, terminology and evaluation.