Thunder Bay

File contains an individual presentation by Burt Sellick, a retired school director with Hillcrest High school in Thunder Bay, which has a large percentage of Aboriginal students. He discusses a wide range of subjects including youth self-esteem, more Aboriginals in the education system and eliminating cultural bias and omissions in textbooks. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains an individual presentation by Madeleine Moonias, a Native language teacher and parent that focuses on Aboriginal culture, language and education. She states that when Aboriginal languages die out, so does Aboriginal culture. Moonias calls on the Commission to help ensure that school boards in northwestern Ontario encourage Native language maintenance and to foster positive attitudes to strengthen cultural identity for Aboriginal students. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains opening remarks by Roger Charles, Commissioner for the Day; Mary Sillett, Commissioner and Paul Chartrand, Commissioner. Sillett and Chartrand explain the purpose and goals for the Commission. Chartrand introduces Holly Hughes, Moderator.

File contains a presentation by Bernice Dubec that recommends that the federal and provincial governments develop a more proactive strategy in addressing the needs of Aboriginal people through direct transfer payments to urban councils that would facilitate an effective and efficient community development process. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Bob Rosehart focusing on Lakehead University programs that are directed toward Aboriginal students, including language, teacher, nursing, engineering and culture classes. Lakehead University also has a student support system and drop-in centre for Aboriginal students. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Cathy Adcock focusing on troubled Aboriginal youth who move to Thunder Bay from reserves without a support system. These youth may have experienced hardship in their family life and are on their own once they arrive in the city, looking for employment, continuing with their education or leaving a troubled family situation. Adcock calls on the Commission to help secure more funding for programs and services to assist youth in the transition from reserve life to city life. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Don Auger relating to the legal system and an Aboriginal system of justice. He provides background on the justice system Aboriginals used pre-contact and states that the present Canadian justice system "does not address problems specific to Aboriginal people." Auger leaves with the Commission a glossary of legal terms translated into Ojicree, Northwest Ojibwe and Cree. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Dr. Douglas A. West, professor, and Wilfred King, student, both from Lakehead University. West states that "all academic disciplines have become attuned to the situation of Canadian Aboriginal people, and they have all become advocates for the improvement of the Aboriginal situation." He states that "we must take the time to learn each other's languages, customs and political and social agendas." King, also the interim President of United Aboriginal Nation, is concerned with the representation of off-reserve status Aboriginals.

This file contains a transcript of a portion of a sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at The Fern Resort, Orillia, Ontario. This portion includes a presentation by Ernie Sandy of Christian Island, at a Round Table discussion of Self-Government. Also included are questions and comments made by the assembled Commissioners, Mary Sillett and Bertha Wilson.

File contains a presentation by Keith Milne focusing on self-government in relation to social concerns and social service. He suggests that the Commission hold a hearing in the Thunder Bay Shelter House to hear directly the concerns of those persons requiring the Shelter House's services. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Maffat Makuto, who is also speaking on behalf of the Regional Multicultural Youth Council, an organization affiliated with the Multicultural Association. Makuto speaks of the indifference shown by Aboriginal high school principals in northern Ontario when given the opportunity to use relevant and educational videos provided for free by his Association. Eventually the Youth Council lobbied to have them shown in the classroom.

File contains a presentation by Marlene Pierre and Bernadette Cook focusing on Aboriginal women in politics and they must be included in the decision-making process. She describes the clan system of government and how the benefits of that system could be used in an "Aboriginal Charter," a form of self-government established by Aboriginal women on paper. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Paul Nadjiwan expressing concern with the failure rate of Aboriginals entering a 12-step recovery program based on English-language, non-Aboriginal values. He also expresses concern with the Fort William treatment centre not being able to use government funding where it is most needed, and not where the government instructs the funding to be spent. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Ray Katt and Bob Narcisse expressing concern for the high rate of Aboriginal students dropping out of high school in northern Ontario. The presenters state that non-Aboriginal teachers should have cultural sensitivity training and that more Aboriginals in the education field are needed. Katt states that because of numerous staff who are Aboriginal, his high school has the best rate of graduation for Aboriginal students in northern Ontario. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Rebecca Johnson that acknowledges the need to work with Aboriginal businesspeople. She believes that changes to the Indian Act would permit Aboriginals to be more involved in business, and that GST makes accounting practices difficult for Aboriginal businesspeople. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

Examines existing programs operating in Canada, evidence of impact on service utilization, health, and overall quality of life, and the need for Indigenous components in addictions treatment.

Geography Thesis (M.Sc.)--University of Waterloo, 2012.

Study investigated why this type of accommodation was needed, challenges faced, whether needs were being met, and what improvements were desirable. Includes survey of users and twelve cases studies conducted in northwestern Ontario. Includes research highlight and full report.

Supportive housing is related to accessing medical care, education and other vital services. Summary of study which involved literature review, survey of users in four Ontario communities, and case studies of 12 providers.

Presents evidence gathered from focus groups involving youth, parents, service providers and community leaders, as well as statistical information, program inventory, and social network analysis. Focuses on indicators related to education, employment, health and mental health, and sense of belonging.

In interviews, thirty-three individuals from across Canada discuss living in urban centres, identity, and contemporary issues they consider to be important. Each interview is approximately 30 min. long.

Study undertaken to provide information for development of strategic resource allocation, understanding of current policy approaches and legislative frameworks, and on-going issues faced by the population in the cities of Thunder Bay, Ottawa, Barrie/Midland/Orillia, Sudbury and Kenora.

Study focused on: demographics and mobility patterns, service delivery, culture and identity, issues specific to youth and women, racism, and health. Research conducted through key informant interviews, life histories, focus groups and community survey. Sample size of 425.

Jury recommendations resulting from inquest into the deaths of seven youths from remote communities attending school in Thunder Bay. Verdict Explanation.

Video records one class's experience with incorporating Aboriginal art and culture into the curriculum by utilizing community mentors and Elders. Duration: 17:00.

Tanya Talaga, prize-winning journalist and author of Seven Fallen Feathers delivers the first of the 2018 Massey Lectures in Thunder Bay. In this lecture Talaga links the similarities between contemporary nations with a history of colonization and describes some of the effects for Indigenous peoples and communities. Duration: 53:59

Study uses 25 interviews with fisheries stakeholders to examine barriers, facilitators, and governance structures for restoring and reintegrating small scale commercial fisheries into the food systems in the Thunder Bay area.

Program of exhibition of birch bark bitings made by Angelique Merasty of Beaver Lake, Manitoba. Includes information and a bibliography on birch bark biting.

Historical note: