Ottawa

This file contains a portion of a transcript of a sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at The Citadel Inn, Ottawa, Ontario. This portion is of opening remarks made by Georges Erasmus, Rene Dussault and Chairperson Ruth Norton preceding the discussions and presentations focusing on education. Their remarks were focused on the mandate and composition of the Commission as well as the procedure the day's events.

This file contains opening remarks by Maggie Hodgson, Chairperson. She introduces Nelson Mayer, Vice-President, United Native Nations.

The file contains opening remarks by Nelson Mayer, Native Council of Canada. Mayer discusses his organization and thanks the Commission for inviting him to the sitting, as well as the importance of addressing the suicide issue in constituent communities.

This file contains a transcript of a sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at The Citadel Inn, Ottawa, Ontario. This is an overview of Discussion Paper No. 4, regarding situations where Metis and other Aboriginal people in urban settings are given the opportunity to create and administer their own education systems, presented by Louis Lamothe.

This file contains a transcript of a sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at The Citadel Inn, Ottawa, Ontario. This is an overview of Discussion Paper No.6 written by Dr. Brent Galloway from Saskatchewan Indian Federated College concerning the retention of Native Language. The overview is given by Dr. Eber Hampton, president of the Saskatchewan Indian Federated College.

This file contains a transcript of a sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at The Citadel Inn, Ottawa, Ontario. This is an overview of Discussion Paper No. 7, "Housing Our Past; Creating Our Future." by Sheila Watt-Cloutier on the problems of remote and northern communities with regard to reforms considered in Aboriginal education in other regions. The overview is presented by Josepi Padlayat.

File contains a short statement by Alain Bissonette, Member of the Human Rights Tribunal of Quebec. He asks preceding presenter Roderick MacDonald about the contents of his written report (en francais), and Roderick responds to his query in English. The topic matter deals with the Access to Justice Commission.

File contains a presentation by Alfred Scow, B.C. Provincial Court Judge. Judge Scow discusses the detrimental effects of the justice system on Aboriginal peoples, and the Indian Act in particular. Judge Scow also expresses the hope that the Commission will lead to substantive changes in the justice system rather than "window dressing."

This file contains a presentation by Alwyn Morris, Canadian Olympic medal winner in 1984. He sought in 1986 to establish an organization for Aboriginal sport development, but was turned down by the Department of Indian Affairs. Eventually Morris created his own foundation in 1988. He eventually received some funding from Indian Affairs and now calls to the Commission to ensure funding continues for this essential organization for Aboriginal youth. A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.

Historical note:

The file contains a presentation by Armand Brousseau and Pierre Desnoyers. Brousseau and Desnoyers relate their experiences with the High Arctic Relocation as witnesses who lived in Resolute Bay at the time and served with the Canadian Armed Forces. Following their testimony the assembled Commissioners discuss some of the issues raised with them.

The file contains a presentation by Brent G. Sivertz, Former Commissioner of the Northwest Territories. Gerard Kenney assists Mr. Sivertz as he is feeling ill. The presentation deals with the High Arctic Relocation program, the rationale behind it, and Mr. Sivertz's role in it. Sivertz claims that some of the allegations made at earlier Commission hearings were untrue, and that no Inuit were forcibly relocated. Following the presentation the assembled Commissioners question Sivertz on the contents of his presentation.

The file contains a presentation by Bev Julian, Native Women's Association of Canada. Julian discusses the personal impact of suicide on herself, her training both as a social worker and a traditional healer, and some of the work she has done which has healed people who were considering suicide. Following her presentation Chairperson Hodgson thanks her for sharing her views.

This file contains a presentation by Bob Moore relating to forestry in the Six Nations Confederacy. Moore states that the federal government is not doing enough to protect the forests in the Six Nations area, and states that "successful management of reserve forests would yield social and economic benefits both to the bands and to the federal government.

The file contains a presentation by Bob Pilot. Pilot, who was an RCMP officer at Craig Harbour and Grise Fiord in the 1950s, discusses his experiences related to the High Arctic Relocation program. Following his statement the assembled Commissioners question Pilot on the contents.

The file contains a presentation by Bud Neville. Neville, a former employee of the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs, discusses his experiences in Resolute Bay, Northwest Territories (now Nunavut) with regard to the High Arctic Relocation program. Following Neville's presentation the assembled Commissioners discuss some of the issues raised with him.

File contains a presentation by Chief David Keenan of the Teslin Tlingit Council. Keenan discusses the differences but also the commonalities in values between Aboriginal people and other Canadians. Keenan also discusses the Canadian justice system, over representation in prisons, the need for more resources toward prevention rather than corrections, initiatives his people have taken in the Yukon, and other justice related matters.

File contains a presentation by Chris Axworthy relating to his constituency that encompasses a large Aboriginal population made up of status Indians living off-reserve, as well as non-status Indians and Metis people. He is aware of the feeling of disfranchisement of urban Aboriginal people, the need for self-government, and for more funding for Aboriginal post-secondary education. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Claude Petit expressing frustration with the ability of his organization to offer services and organize events for Aboriginal veterans without funding. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

The file contains a presentation by Connie Chartrand, Metis National Council. Chartrand, family violence coordinator for Metis Women of Manitoba, discusses her work establishing self-help groups for Metis women, and her concerns about the possibility of suicides in some instances related to family violence and breakdowns.

The file contains a presentation by Dan Soberman. Soberman, an academic and lawyer, discusses a variety of evidence pertaining to both the intent and implementation of the High Arctic Relocation program. Following the presentation the assembled Commissioners discuss the contents and some of the issues raised with Soberman.

File contains a presentation by Debra Hanley. Hanley gives a summary and follow-up of eight commission and inquiry reports on Aboriginal justice issues. These include federally: "Creating Choices, the Task Force on Federally Sentenced Women"; "A Law Refrom Commission Report on Aboriginal People and Criminal Justice"; and, "The Indian Policing Task Force" provincially: "The Marshall Inquiry"; "The Manitoba Justice Inquiry"; "The Saskatchewan Indian and Metis Justice Review Committees"; and "The Alberta Causy (PH) Commission".

This file contains a presentation by Doug Maracle relating to the Woodland Cultural Centre's commitment to ongoing research, education, acquisition of resource materials, the development of First Nations language-based resources, library, museum and art collections, while maintaining standard recognized by academic and professional communities.

The file contains a presentation by Doug Wilkinson. Wilkinson discusses his experiences with the High Arctic Relocation both in Ottawa and the Arctic during the early 1950s. Wilkinson was a film-maker with the National Film Board of Canada who lived amongst the Inuit in the High Arctic.

The file contains a presentation by Dr. Graham Rowley. Rowley, a retired professor and public servant, discusses his experiences with the Inuit in relation to the High Arctic Relocation program, and associated issues. Following the presentation the assembled Commissioners discuss some of the issues raised with Rowley.

The file contains an address by Luncheon Keynote Speaker, Dr. Paul R. King of the North Bay Psychiatric Hospital. Dr. King discusses suicide prevention and crisis intervention counselling adding the caveat that attendees may or may not think his methods relevant, but that is for them to decide.

File contains a presentation by Eileen Koe. Koe is a civil servant and proclaims herself to be both a Gwich'in, and a proud Canadian. Koe discusses her views on social issues and housing in the community. She discusses residential schools and the loss of the Gwich'in language, and the detrimental effect this has had on her people. Koe discusses alcoholism, housing programs, trapping, and the need for better job training programs.

The file contains a presentation by Gerard Kenney. Kenney, a telecommunications engineer with Bell Canada in the 1960s and early 1970s, discusses his experiences traveling to the High Arctic Relocation communities of Pond Inlet, Grise Fiord, and Resolute Bay during this era. Kenney also discusses his research at the National Archives in the early 1990s seeking to find evidence of Canadian intentions, or as he calls it, the "smoking gun," behind the High Arctic Relocation program.

The file contains a presentation by Gordon Robertson. Robertson, a federal civil servant during the time of the High Arctic Relocation, testifies on the government's intentions with regard to Inuit policy, Arctic policy, and sovereignty issues during the era. Robertson also gives his view of Inuit testimony on the relocation and his own visits to Resolute Bay during the 1950s. The assembled Commissioners question Robertson on some of his testimony.

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 James Zion. Zion, an American Navajo lawyer, discusses European colonial powers efforts to come to terms with Aboriginal law and governance institutions in the New World as it pertains to the question of "Would a separate Aboriginal justice system mean a single system or would it be composed of many systems?" Zion also discusses some of the Aboriginal justice systems in place within the Navajo Nation, and the United States generally.

File contains a presentation by Jeremy Weber, Faculty of Law, McGill University. Weber presents a paper which is a response to "many common Native objections to parallel systems of Aboriginal justice, especially objections expressed by Non-Aboriginal Canadians." Much of Weber's presentation deals with differing conceptions of cultural, and individual vs. collective rights.

The file contains a presentation by Joe Karetak, Inuit Tapirisat of Canada. Karetak discusses programs to deal with suicide issues in the Keewatin Region of the Northwest Territories (now Nunavut). Karetak also discusses some of the language difficulties involved with operating the Keewatin Crisis Line, participation of elders, and costs.

The file contains a presentation by Joey Hamelin, Metis National Council. Hamelin discusses funding issues for the Metis, some examples of suicides that occurred amongst that community in Alberta, and the role of the Metis Services Organization, and Native Brotherhood in Alberta.

File contains a presentation by John Giokas, Barrister and Solicitor, Consultant, Federal Government on Aboriginal Justice and Self-Government Issues. Giokas presents his ideas on how a new order is emerging in Canada with respect to justice, and how we can expect new power sharing arrangements to arise.

File contains a presentation by Jonathan Rudin. who's a member of Aboriginal Legal Services of Toronto, discusses his organizations work with Aboriginal people in the urban context and some of the concerns facing them. Rudin then goes on to discuss the community based approach to justice that ALST has developed to address some of these issues.

The file contains opening remarks by Maggie Hodgson, Chairperson. Hodgson discusses her personal involvement in the area of suicide prevention, labour market analysis, and training issues in the health field.

File contains a presentation by Marilyn Fontaine, Spokesperson, Aboriginal Women's Unity Coalition. Fontaine discusses her organizations history, and the issues it deals with including sexism, violence, abuse, lack of political representation, self-government talks, and the environment.

This file contains a presentation by Mario Paradis and Rene Boileau whose organization "brings together Metis and non-status Indians of Quebec, to have their status concretely recognized; to study, promote, protect and develop the material, cultural, social, economic and political interests of its members in every way possible; and to maintain a permanent secretariat in order to develop links among the members. The speakers also address the difficulty of determining the origin of the Canadian Metis.

File contains a presentation by Mary Ellen Turpel, Professor, Dalhousie University, Constitutional Advisor to the Assembly of First Nations. Turpel discusses her own background, her work with land claims, and gives a critique of some of the fundamental concepts behind Canadian law.

File contains a presentation by Neil Colin. Colin complains about the ignorance of the north he has encountered in southern Canada, including from Conservative federal government officials who did not even know where Yellowknife was. He also discusses his concerns about pollution and its effects on the North which he has witnessed himself. Following the presentation Rene Dussault thanks him for it, and closes the days preceedings.

File contains a presentation by Nelson Sanderson regarding the need to connect Metis youth and the general public with the history and culture of the Metis people. Following the presentation is a discussion with the Commissioners regarding these issues.

This file contains a presentation by Patrick J. Lavelle, Robert Campbell and Steven Christianson that focuses on their organization's attempts to bridge the gap economically between the Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities in Canada. The presenters call for the formation of an Aboriginal development bank, and for the creation of an education foundation to assist young Aboriginals to remain in high school and to consider careers in business or as entrepreneurs.

File contains a presentation by Professor Patrick Macklem. He discusses the Consitutional possibilities for handing over jurisdiction in justice affairs to Aboriginal communities.

File contains a presentation by Professor James Dumont. Dumon discusses "native values" as opposed to "white values" based on his research, and then applies his finding to the operation of the justice system.

File contains a presentation by Professor Patricia Monture-Okanee. She discusses her identity as a Mohawk woman and as a lawyer, about different conceptions of justice, and about patriarchy and colonialism.

File contains a presentation by Reg Louttit of the Attawapiskat First Nation, Nation Justice Project. Louttit discusses the project on his First Nation, its origins, aims and difficulties encountered.

The file contains a presentation by Reuben Ploughman. Ploughman discusses his perspective on the High Arctic Relocation as a Hudson's Bay Company employee at Inukjuaq (Port Harrison) and other locations in Northern Canada. Following the presentation Ploughman discusses some of his testimony with the assembled Commissioners.

The file contains a presentation by Rheeno Diabo, Shakottia Takehanes Community Services. Diabo, a Mohawk woman, discusses her experiences with post-trauma and other types of community social work, and the personal impact of working with people she knows. Roda Grey and Marlene Castalano discuss some of the issues raised with Diabo.

File contains a presentation by Roderick A. MacDonald, Professor of Law at McGill University. MacDonald discusses "to what extent would the process of adaptation of the existing system of Canadian law involve reforms beneficial of society such as the poor, women and cultural minorities."

The file contains a presentation by Ross Gibson. Gibson, a government employee, discusses the recruiting process he engaged in in Northern Quebec during the High Arctic Relocation program during the 1950s, and his experiences with said program at Resolute Bay. Gibson gives his testimony under questioning from the assembled Commissioners.