Charlottetown

Description of the Taking Action! Building Aboriginal Leadership in HIV Prevention Using Arts-based Methods research project. Focuses on four pieces created by participants from Kahnawá:ke First Nation, Kettle and Stony Point & Aamjiwnaang First Nations, Montreal, Toronto, and Charlottetown.

RCAP 4 contains files from the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island on May 5, 1992. This sitting of the Commission contains a variety of presentations related to various non-Aboriginal (fishermen and provincial government) and First Nations organizations. Each presentation can be viewed individually on this site.

File contains a presentation by Corinne Chappell, a Micmac woman. Chappell describes the effect of Bill C-31 on Aboriginal people who have married outside their community, and argues that all succeeding generations should retain their status. Following the presentation is a discussion with the Commissioners on this issue.

File contains a presentation by Don McLean, a status Indian Micmac man who lives off reserve. McLean lists two issues he would like the Commission to discuss: namely, the allocation of federal funding to bands not reaching off-reserve members, and compensation for women who lost their status by marrying non-Aboriginal men. Following the presentation are a few brief remarks by Georges Erasmus.

File contains a presentation by Gertrude Partridge. Partridge suggests that two important sites (a beach on Panmeer Island where the Micmac people harvested shellfish traditionally, and an area at Gaspereau of significance to the Sark family) be purchased by the provincial government and given to the Prince Edward Island Native Council. Following her comments Commissioner Georges Erasmus makes some closing remarks, and a closing prayer by John Joe Sark concludes the days' sitting of the Royal Commission.

File contains a presentation by Graham Tuplin, Native Council of PEI. Tuplin welcomes the days' participants on behalf of the Council, and Commissioner Georges Erasmus also makes some introductory remarks for the days' sitting of the Commission.

File contains a presentation by Graham Tuplin, Tom Conners and Brenda Leslie focusing on Aboriginal treatment in the criminal justice system and on-going land claims negotiations with the Canadian government. A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.

File contains a presentation by Greg Johnson, a Micmac social worker from Hants County, Nova Scotia. Johnson discusses his hopes for the Commission, experiences growing up as an Aboriginal youth, relations with the Indian Agent and Department of Indian Affairs, his views on the Indian Act, sovereignty, governance, and prejudice.

File contains a presentation by Henry Phillips with regards to Aboriginal poverty in Canada, and some possible solutions to address the problem. A short discussion with the Commissioners follows the presentation.

File contains a presentation by the Honourable Paul Connolly, Minister Responsible for Native Affairs, PEI. Connolly expresses his government's support for the principles of Aboriginal self-government, and the reality of large off-reserve populations and their implications for provincial governments. He also expresses support for three way talks between the Federal, Provincial, and Aboriginal governments to define self-government and resolve jurisdictional issues.

File contains a presentation by Howard Sark with regards to teaching youth the Micmac language, alcoholism, schools, and status issues.

File contains a presentation by Jacqueline Ellsworth, Native Housing Program. Ellsworth discusses housing programs in PEI, and the effect of government cutbacks as well as recommendations to improve the system. Following the presentation is a discussion with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Janet Macdonald, a Micmac woman formerly involved with producing the Native Council newspaper in PEI. Macdonald relates the story of her papers demise due to funding cuts, and explains the importance of having independent Aboriginal media in her view. Following the presentation is a brief discussion with the Commissioners on these issues.

File contains a presentation by John Jamieson of the PEI Fisherman's Association. Jamieson discusses the fishery in PEI and the Micmac's involvement. He focuses on the need for co-operation to conserve fish stocks, a plan to incorporate Micmac fishermen into the commerical fishery, and relations with the federal government. Following the presentation is a discussion between Jamieson and the Commissioners regarding fisheries in PEI.

File contains a presentation by John Joe Sark, Captain of the Micmac Grand Council. Sark discusses the need to tell Aboriginal history, particularly the positive side, in schools in New Brunswick. He also discusses the Micmac's struggle to hold onto their culture through generations of assimilative pressures. Following Sark's presentation is a discussion with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Kim Gallant. Gallant presents her view on sexual discrimination in the Indian Act, and how it can be reformed to be more egalitarian. Following the presentation is a discussion between Gallant and the Commissioners regarding the issues raised.

File contains a presentation by Mary Ann Felle, Cross Cultural Information Committee. Felle advances a proposal for an Aboriginal child care structure which she "believe[s] would work to maintain a child's sense of identity and encourage the development of self-worth and self-esteem." Following the presentation is a discussion with the Commissioners regarding issues raised.

File contains a presentation by Maureen Larkin containing some general impressions on the Commission and the issues it faces. Larkin discusses racism, education, self-government, land claims, and external representations, as well as her hopes for the Commission.

File contains a presentation by Mike Gallant, Native Council of PEI. Gallant discusses the Aboriginal right to hunt and fish as it applies to off-reserve people. Gallant states that the Royal Proclamation of 1763 and Micmac Treaty of 1752 do not distinguish between on and off-reserve Indians and that therefore such distinctions are irrelevant to inherent Aboriginal rights. Following the presentation Gallant discusses some of the issues raised with the assembled Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Patsy Bernard of the Abegweit band. Bernard discusses her problems with the Chief of her band, and accusses him of anti-democratic and authoritarian practices. Bernard also discusses the need for increased cultural knowledge and awareness to be implemented before self-government.

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 Ricki Schock, Native Outreach Coordinator, Native Council PEI. Schock's presentation deals with a federal program called Pathways, and is intended to "point out that it is not only a bad policy, and entirely inconsistent with native self-government, but...also an example of the kind of thing you should be advising the government not to do." Following the presentation is a discussion with the Commissioners.