Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples: Presentation by Paul Scotchman, President, Western Indian Agricultural Producers Association

The file contains a presentation by Paul Scotchman on behalf of the Western Indian Agricultural Producers Association. Scotchman discusses Aboriginal agriculture as it relates to the Commission's four areas of focus: relationship, self-determination, self-sufficiency and healing. Scotchman also makes a series of recommendations to the Commission regarding pesticide use in First Nations' traditional territories; the need for Healing workshops; Non-political funding for agricultural awareness programs on reserves by present Aboriginal agricultural organizations; Aboriginal Agricultural Capital Corporations to provide financing to commercially viable projects; Farm Credit Corporation to be made available to Status on-reserve people; Fund development of marketing initiatives, and value-adding on reserve; lift trade barriers on First Nations; an increased land base; an equal voice in land use policies within traditional territories; more control over legislation affecting Abroiginal agriculture. Following the presentation Commissioner Mary Sillett discusses some of the issues raised with Scotchman.