Sault Ste. Marie

Statistical table.

Statistical table.

Creation of Shingwauk University the result of collaboration of the Anglican diocese of Algoma, several First Nations in Ontario, and the Children of Shingwauk Alumni Association.

History Thesis (Ph.D.)--McGill University, 2002.

Case study emphasizes the importance of archival practices which follow cultural and ethical best practices and involve the community in order to correct past biases and ensure that Indigenous voices are present in the historical record.

Reviews research and writing on Métis history from the view of a participant-observer.

Linguistics Thesis (M.A.)--Michigan State University, 1999.

Statistical table.

Describes the policies, practises and curriculum of the school, as well as the philosophy of its founder, Rev. E. F. Wilson. Brief mention of the the Wawanosh School for girls.

RCAP 37 contains files from the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. This sitting of the Commission contains presentations relating to Friendship Centres, education, children and women's issues, Bill C-31 and Metis issues. Each presentation can be viewed individually on this site.

File contains brief closing remarks by Georges Erasmus, Commissioner.

File contains an individual presentation by Brenda Jonah, graduate of the Native Community Worker Program of Sault College, Sault Ste. Marie. She describes her experiences working in a high school with a high number of Aboriginal students. Through workshops, displays and social events, the students learned about their culture, many for the first time. Jonah proposes establishing Aboriginal liaison programs in high schools with large Aboriginal student populations. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains an individual presentation by Claudette Chevrier-McLeod relating to the Goods and Services Tax (GST). She states that exemptions should be the same for Aboriginals who live both on and off reserves. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains an individual presentation by Evelyn Schrieber expressing concern for Aboriginal homeless people. She describes the hopelessness within her family as she, as well as her two children, were homeless at various points in their lives. Schrieber states that Aboriginals are denied the right to proper psychiatric treatment, particularly those who are homeless. She calls on the Commission to provide funding for programs for mentally ill people, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal alike. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains an individual presentation by Lucienne Robinson detailing her frustrating personal experiences with Bill C-31 and her attempt to return to her home First Nations in northern Ontario. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains an individual presentation by Marvin Assinewai relating to Aboriginal post-secondary education. He recommends that the Canadian government recognize that all levels of education is an Aboriginal and treaty right, and that funding for post-secondary education increase so that each First Nation community could establish their own post-secondary policy. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains an introductory presentation by Henry Wetelainen of the Ontario Metis and Aboriginal Association. He introduces five zone presidents of the Association: Sheilagh Chief, Howard Restoule, Ron Swain, Joe Major and Agnes Lidstone. The zones include 63 communities; Metis communities, off-reserve Aboriginal people, those with band membership, those who are treaty, and have chosen to work within the organization. Wetelainen introduces the first speaker, Ron Swain.

File contains opening remarks by Commissioner Georges Erasmus at the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples held in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario on June 11, 1992. Erasmus explains the mandate and goals of the Commission for the audience in attendance. He introduces the first speaker, Mary Desmoulin.

Representative of the centre calls on the Commission to ensure further funding for the organization, which serves both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal women. Includes question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Agnes Lidstone of the Southern Ontario Metis and Aboriginal Association focusing on education. Lidstone has a number of recommendations, including funding for more community-based programs for Aboriginal peoples in northern Ontario, and establishing one or more Aboriginal post-secondary institutions, also in northern Ontario. She introduces the next speaker, Howard Restoule. He introduces the next speaker, Agnes Lidstone.

File contains a presentation by Alfreda Trudeau that reiterates many of the concerns expressed by Harvey Thunderchild, the previous speaker. She describes specific programs aimed at treating various problems, with the Native Interpersonal Skills Program being the most successful. Trudeau calls for more Aboriginal people to be working in the correctional system and particularly sees the role of elders is very important. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presntation by Carol Gauthier relating to post-secondary education. She calls for more funding for Aboriginal post-education and in particular, for more comprehensive graduate studies. Gauthier briefly discusses the "Indian residential school syndrome" and also calls for funding and resources to 'complete the healing process in overcoming the devastating effects this syndrome has had within our community." Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Chief Darrell Boissoneau that focuses on treaty violations and particularly on the Indian Act. He calls on the Commission to help begin the healing and to ensure funding for the essential programs that are necessary to help Aboriginal people reclaim their culture. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Darlene Grexton relating to the Infant Development Program, a part of a continuum of preventive service provided by the Ministry of Community and Social Services for the at-risk population, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal alike. The program works with infants from to 30 months. She calls for the training more Aboriginal social workers and for more public awareness of the Infant Development Program. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Dawna LeBlanc expressing concern for the acceleratred rate at which Aboriginal languages are becoming extinct. The death of community elders plays a large part in the elimination of languages today. She states that "language has a direct bearing on how we see ourselves as a people and our role in self-government, on land claims and our claim to a distinct society." Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Delores Trudeau relating to counselling of Aboriginal students as an integral part of the education process. Trudeau recommends that counsellors be given adequate resources to fulfill their duties, be given the opportunity to acquire a university degree, and that a salary grid be based on experience and qualification. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Harvey Thunderchild relating to high rates of illiteracy among Aboriginal inmates, and the high proportion of incarcerated Aboriginal people for crimes committed involving drugs and alcohol. He states that Aboriginal inmates are prevented from entering treatment programs due to a shortage of programs. He also expressed concern with Aboriginal young offenders lacking appropriate programs as well. He introduces Alfreda Trudeau.

File contains a presentation by Howard Restoule of the Southern Ontario Metis and Aboriginal Association that responds to a questionnaire sent by the Commission prior to the hearings. The questions involve topics such as acquiring a land base, self-government, the implementation of treaties, the constitutional and legal position of Metis people and off-reserve Aboriginals, the Indian Act and social issues. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the previous five presenters and the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Joe Major of the Southern Ontario Metis and Aboriginal Association focusing on health and justice issues and sport and recreation. He introduces the next speaker, Agnes Lidstone.

File contains a presentation by John Corbiere relating to the constitutional and legal position of the Metis and off-reserve Aboriginals. He states that on his First Nations, "The present elected band leadership is denying our off-reserve members the opportunity to vote on the basic things that have a crucial effect on their lives. Those members are being excluded from the social and political prosperity of the band.

File contains a presentation by Kathy Sauve relating to Aboriginal literacy and its importance. She states that Aboriginal literacy programs "must continue in order for the survival of our younger generations and the generations yet to come." She feels that when "Aboriginal leaders speak of self-government, literacy is a very important stepping stone to it." Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Lewis Debassige discussing Aboriginal control over Aboriginal education. His organization has made improvements with curriculum and school facilities without corresponding rises in funding from the Canadian government. Debassige calls on the Commission to gather information where other groups in Canada are attempting to rectify these and numerous other problems to pass on to Debassige. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Marlene Antoniow discussing the prevalence of addiction issues among Aboriginal people and the shortage of Aboriginal social workers to treat them. She is also concerned about poor health care that elders receive relating to waiting lists and lack of transportation. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Mary Desmoulin providing a brief history of the Sault Ste. Marie Friendship Centre. She describes the Friendship Centre's goal as "improving the quality of life for Aboriginal people in an urban environment by supporting self-determined activities which encourage both equal access to partnership in Canadian society and in Aboriginal culture. Desmoulin also expresses concern for children, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal, with recent government cutbacks on child care.

The file contains a presentation by Mary Lou Fox. Fox, an Ojibwa Elder from the West Bay First Nation, discusses residential schools impact and inter-generational legacy on communities, language issues and their relation to identity; the lack of educational assistance and direction needed for community level language instruction, a cross-Canada Elder's conference on language issues to be held at Manitoulin Island, the need for full time interpreters in some hospitals, and access to justice services in Aboriginal languages.

File contains a presentation by Mary O'Donnell focusing on parental involvement in education at all levels. She states that Aboriginal parents have a responsibility to sit on committees and PTAs to share information, give advice and generally support their children during their educational years. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Paul Stevens, Wallace Belleau and Bob Pelletier of the Ojibwe Peacekeepers Society. Stevens briefly explains the history of the Society as an organization of concerned Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal persons who are dedicated to the pursuit and the advancement of Aboriginal issues. The society acts as an advocacy group to ensure that treaties are adhered to. The Peacekeepers also peacefully protects citizens in their own land from outside forces if so requested by that tribal government or that particular First Nation.

File contains a presentation by Robert Beaudin focusing on special education, as defined as a refinement of existing programs offered to children. He believes that the funding methodology used by the Department of Indian Affairs Canada should be re-evaluated to accommodate First Nations in meeting and satisfying the terms and conditions of the Department's funding arrangements. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Ron Swain of the Southern Ontario Metis and Aboriginal Association focusing on Metis self-government. He provides a brief history of the Metis in Canada. Swain states that the Metis are recognized as Aboriginal people in the Canadian Constitution, but do not have any negotiated rights. He introduces the next speaker, Sheilagh Chief.

File contains a presentation by Sheilagh Chief of the Southern Ontario Metis and Aboriginal Association discussing the role of elders in community politics. She is also concerned with funding for adult education. She introduces the next speaker, Joe Major.

File contains remarks by Jerome Syrette, Commissioner For The Day and elder, that briefly touch on a number of subjects such as the influence of elders upon youth, living in harmony with the Creator and Mother Earth, and the Clan system.

Letters from principals of the Shingwauk Indian Residential School dated from 1876 to 1904. A wide range of topics are covered, from daily school life and fundraising to anthropology and Canadian Indian policy.

Reports on student engagement sessions and the development of a trauma-informed school toolkit.

Reports findings from interviews with people who have worked in and with centres in four Ontario communities: Timmins, North Bay, Hamilton, and Sault Ste. Marie. Offers recommendations to support the centres' activities..