Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples: Presentation on behalf of Sto:lo Tribal Council, Chief Clarence Pennier

The file contains a presentation on behalf of the Sto:lo Tribal Council by Chief Clarence Pennier. Chief Pennier gives an overview of his organization's composition and activities representing 11 of the 24 Sto:lo Bands. Chief Pennier discusses the importance of culture to the Sto:lo, historical wrongs committed by the Canadian government upon them, problems with the Indian Act elections structure, and explains the traditional Sto:lo governance principles. Chief Pennier then makes a variety of recommendations to the Commission to improve the Indian Act's governance provisions and bring them more in line with traditional Sto:lo practices. Following the presentation Commissioner Mary Sillett discusses some of the issues raised with Penner.