Canadian Journal of Native Studies, vol. 34, no. 2, 2014, pp. 19-40
Description
Looks at factors which contribute to educational gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students: history, political organization, socio-economic status, and health.
RCAP 33 contains files from the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at Samson Bingo Hall, Hobbema, Alberta. This sitting of the Commission contains presentations on a variety of subjects such as post-secondary education, health care, child and family welfare, and substance abuse. Each presentation can be viewed individually on this site.
The file contains further comments by Keith Weasel Head. Weasel Head, who works at the Laverne Elementary School on the Blood Reserve, and is also a post-secondary student, discusses the problems youth face with drugs and alcohol. Weasel Head offers his personal perspective on how people can cope with and overcome these problems.
File contains an individual presentation by Alice Frost relating to the necessity of elders teaching the Vuntut Gwitch'in language to youth and to social problems in Old Crow. Frost states that her community's social problems must be solved before "land claims is settled because we need educated people to run our self-government." A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples - Transcriptions of Public Hearings and Round Table Discussions
Documents & Presentations
Author/Creator
Cheryl Sibbeston
Description
File contains a presentation by Cheryl Sibbeston discussing four areas of concern: having educational facilities closer to home, alcohol and the negative effects on families, more health care facilities in settlements, and land claims and self-government. Following the presentation is a discussion with the Commissioners.
File contains a presentation by Chief Katie Rich detailing the effects of relocation, substance abuse and hopelessness that the Innu of Davis Inlet suffer from. She describes the early history and relocation of Davis Inlet and feels that the only hope for residents is to relocate again, due to the lack of proper housing, sewer and water in their present location. The mortality rate of children is very high, and Rich calls on the Commission to assist Innu people with resources to regain control of their lives through culture, traditions, values and spirituality.
File contains a presentation by Daniel Daniels and Delilah Young speaking about the need for concerned adults becoming involved in the lives of Aboriginal youth. Without positive adult role models, Aboriginal youth may fall prey to alcohol, drug and solvent abuse and youth centres would allow Aboriginal youth to spend free time constructively. A discussion with the Commissioners follow the three The Pas Youth Project Committee speakers.
File contains a presentation by Diane Ludwig and Elaine Boucher relating to educational issues concerning Aboriginal students in Lac La Biche and area. Both women address a number of concerns with students, such as assisting those in unstable family situations or those who are abusing drugs and alcohol. Ludwig feels that if a co-ordinator was hired, then the small groups and committees within the Native Education Program would be streamlined and thus serve the students better. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.
File contains a presentation by Edith Gull expressing deep frustration with the drop-out rate of students and the apathy of parents. A new school was built in 1989 but attendance is poor and Gull feels that drug and alcohol abuse, among other social issues, are common roadblocks for getting an education. Gull introduces the next speaker, John Kitchen, chairman of the Elementary School Committee.
File contains a presentation by John Stewart. Stewart, a member of the Youth Justice Committee, discusses youth justice concerns particularly with regard to young Metis children. Stewart asks that funding be provided to treat these children in the community rather than sending them away to jails. Following Stewart's presentation is a discussion between Stewart, Chief Tony Mercredi, and Commissioners Chartrand and Blakeney on youth justice issues.
File contains a presentation by Lily Sutherland focusing on child and family welfare issues. Sutherland discusses the need for more training of public health officers on First Nations and for workshops on parenting and substance abuse prevention. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.
File contains a presentation by Margaret Klopenberg, Assistant Co-ordinator of the Child Identification Program, and Christine Hoffman, Chairperson, both of the North Central Alberta Crisis Intervention Association. They describe the variety of programs the Association offers to Aboriginal people, including women's and men's domestic violence groups and self-esteem and victim assistance programs. The Association operates with little funding, much of it raised themselves, so Klopenberg and Hoffman call on the Commission to help them secure funds to keep these essential programs operating.
File contains a presentation by Matt Vickers focusing on the impact of the imposed political, educational, social and religious systems on North American Aboriginal peoples. He lists statistics for offences committed in the Kispiox area and calls on the Commission to ensure that "immediate steps are taken to ensure that documented cases of dysfunctional relations that are mostly a result of the residential school systems receive immediate assistance regarding their recovery process. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.
File contains remarks by Morgan McLeod, Metis Youth of Stanley Mission. McLeod discusses his concerns with drug and alcohol abuse, suicide, child abuse and neglect in his community. He relates how the Metis youth have started a youth centre at Stanley Mission to deal with these problems, but need support on the provincial level to help provide information and recreational facilities.
File contains remarks by Stanley McLeod, Metis Youth of Stanley Mission. Stanley remarks that earlier presenter Winston McKay "covered all the issues that I was going to talk about, so I cut out most of the things." McLeod goes on to highlight that the Metis of the north have very limited resources to operate programs with, and asks for more help with recreation facilities and substance abuse.
File contains a presentation by Waldo Berg, Instructor of Northlands College. Berg discusses problems with the adult education system from his perspective as an instructor. Berg higlights four areas: language issues, childcare issues, alcohol issues, and cultural disparity issues. Berg suggests that a vareity of steps be taken to educate southern educators heading to job placements in the north about language and cultural concerns. Berg then discusses the Mennonite people's relation to Aboriginal Canadians and the issues they face.
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples - Transcriptions of Public Hearings and Round Table Discussions
Documents & Presentations
Author/Creator
Dennis Peters
Sandy Bunn
Russell Beaulieu
Verna McDougall
Sam Gott
Trena Raven
Marcelline Mason
Lorne Bunn
Description
This file contains presentations by eight students from Crocus Plains Regional Secondary School in Brandon, Manitoba. The students are: Dennis Peters, Sandy Bunn, Russell Beaulieu, Verna McDougall, Sam Gott, Trena Raven, Marcelline Mason and Lorne Bunn. The presentations focus on issues such as Aboriginal-controlled schools on reserves, loss of Aboriginal culture and language, learning from elders as part of their daily curriculum, prejudice and racism in urban schools, and hopelessness and substance abuse among Aboriginal youth.