Sarnia

Brief early 20th century survey of customs regarding children, marriage, death, medicines, hunting, fishing and preparation of food.

See section four "First Nation Communities".

File containing notes and correspondence regarding self-government, citizenship, civil rights and the Indian Act (and amendments to). Includes correspondence from E. D. Fulton discussing the feasibility of Indians electing their own MPs; correspondence to Diefenbaker from J. B. Tootoosis regarding the appointment of an Aboriginal to the Senate; correspondence from Andre Renaud supporting Diefenbaker's call for a Royal Commission on Indian affairs. Notes on Hansard.

RCAP 120 contains a transcript of the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at the Chippewa Community Centre, Sarnia, Ontario, Monday, May 10, 1993. This sitting of the Commission includes presentations by various individuals, Aboriginal and community groups.

File contains an invocation by Elder Fred Plain and Opening Remarks by Commissioners Georges Erasmus and Paul Chartrand to commence the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at the Chippewa Community Centre, Sarnia, Ontario, Monday, May 10, 1993. The two Commissioners discuss the mandate, goals, and composition of the Commission. Commissioner Chartrand specifically focuses on the idea of self-government, and the different views of it the Commission has encountered in their travels to date.

File contains a presentation by Peggy Bird, Joanne Jackson, and Alanna Elijah, members of the Tribal Soverignty Association and councillors at the N'Amerind Friendship Centre in London. Bird, Jackson, and Elijah discuss the Healing Circle program they are involved with which seeks to treat social problems with traditional spiritual concepts. Following their presentation is a discussion between the three presenters and the assembled Commissioners on some of the issues raised.

File contains a presentation by Colleen Nadjiwon-Johnson. Nadjiwon-Johnson, a small business owner from the Walpole Island First Nation, discusses a "number of issues affecting myself and other Native small business owners." These include taxation, economic development initiatives, caisse populaires (credit unions), janitorial and personal services, Aboriginal rights (treaty, hunting, fishing, etc.) advocacy, and human resources issues. Following the presentation Commissioners Erasmus and Chartrand discuss some of the issues raised with Nadjiwon-Johnson.

File contains a presentation by Dean Jacobs of the Walpole Island Heritage Centre. Jacobs delivers a slide presentation with commentary on the history of Walpole Island and the Ojibwa community there. Issues raised include environmental destruction, the fur industry and the detrimental impact of the anti-fur activists on the Aboriginal economy in the area, fisheries and hunting concerns. Following the presentation Commissioner Chartrand and Erasmus make brief comments.

File contains a presentation by Ed Isaac. Isaac, a Potawatomi man from Walpole Island First Nation, discusses jurisdictional, policing, international border, hunting, and fishing issues at Walpole Island. Following Isaac's presentation the assembled Commissioners discuss some of the issues raised with him. After this the Commissioners make some closing remarks, followed by a closing ceremony and travel song which ends the day's sitting of the Royal Commission.

File contains a presentation by James Johnson. Johnson, a member of the Walpole Island First Nation, discusses his personal views on the Indian Act with reference to economic development, education, assistance, and political structures. Following the presentation the assembled Commissioners discuss the issues raised with Johnson.

File contains a presentation by the Principal Jim Whitson, Lambton County Board of Education. Whitson discusses developing good relationships in the educational setting with Aboriginal peoples, specifically in the context of what has been done in Lambton County, Ontario. Whitson discusses concerns such as cultural, historical, and language education. Following the presentation the assembled Commissioners discuss some of the issues raised with Whitson.

File contains a presentation by London District Chiefs, Chief Al Day. Day, Chief of Onayataka, an Oneida First Nation, discusses the need to dismantle Indian Affairs, self-governance and nation to nation affairs, land claims, jurisdictional issues, education, justice concerns, and self-determination. Following the presentation Chief Day discusses some of the issues raised with Commissioners Chartrand and Erasmus.

File contains a presentation by London District Chiefs, Chief Daniel Miskokomon. Miskokomon, Chief of Walpole Island, London District, discusses his views on the empowerment, enablement, and equality of First Nations.

File contains a presentation by London District Chiefs, Chief Phil Maness. Maness, Chief of Chippewas of Sarnia, London District, discusses three elements he views as neccessary for self-government: land, jurisdiction, and resources. Chief Maness also discusses the Treaty of Amherstburg, and the Indian Act. Following the presentation Commissioners Chartrand and Erasmus discuss some of the ideas raised with Chief Maness.

File contains a presentation by the Reverend Doug Greenough of the St. Clair United Church. Reverend Greenough, pastor of a Church on the Sarnia Reserve, discusses the United Church of Canada's views on Aboriginal spirituality, his own personal ones, and cross-cultural understanding.

File contains a presentation by Wilson Plain. Plain, an Aboriginal Community Liaison and Resource Co-ordinator with Corrections Canada discusses his own work, community based justice, and rehabilitation concerns. Following the presentation Commissioner Erasmus discusses some of the issues raised with Plain.

File contains a presentation by Chief Larry Johnson of the Caldwell Nation. Chief Johnson discusses his peoples negotiations for a land base in southwestern Ontario, and the history of the Nation including their war service on behalf of Britain and Canada. Following the presentation Chief Caldwell discusses some of the issues raised with Commissioners Erasmus and Chartrand.

File contains a presentation by Chief Thomas Bressette of the London District Chiefs. Bressette, Chief of the Chippewas of Kettle and Stony Point First Nation, London District, discusses his peoples land dispute with the Department of National Defence over an area known as Stony Point. Chief Bressette goes on to discuss land and self-governance issues generally, recommending to the Commissioon that an arbitration board be set up to resolve such disputes similar to the practice employed in labour relations, and that the federal Department of Indian Affairs be dismantled.