Examines the heritage tourism industry in southwestern Alberta and the possible expansion of cultural tourism into the Crowsnest Pass, Fort Macleod and Cardston regions.
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples - Transcriptions of Public Hearings and Round Table Discussions
Documents & Presentations
Description
RCAP 60 contains files from the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at the West Ballroom, Inn of the South, Cranbrook, British Columbia. This sitting of the Commission contains presentations including a variety of First Nations politicians, a veterans organization, the United Church, and individuals. Each presentation can be viewed individually on this site.
File contains a brief presentation by Lawrence Standing-On-The-Road that touches on economic development, treaty rights, land claims and self-government.
File contains an individual presentation by Leo Jacobs, an educator and businessman, focusing on education and economic development. Jacobs credits a large support system behind him as he completed a Master's degree in Education Administration. He envisions a strong Aboriginal tourism industry in Canada, which would showcase Aboriginal culture and not exploit it. A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.
File contains a presentation by Randy Nepoose relating to social issues, off-reserve Aboriginals, natural resources, and the justice system. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.
File contains a presentation by Roy Louis that initially states that the Commission lacks a Treaty Commissioner so he is already skeptical of the findings of the Commission. His presentation covers a number of issues such as joint ventures and economic development, tourism, forestry, agriculture, and racism. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with Commissioner Allan Blakeney.
File contains an individual presentation by Sam Sinclair focusing on environmental issues, lack of employment for local Aboriginal people with logging and oil companies working in the Slave Lake area, and land claims. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.
File contains opening remarks by Commissioners Allan Blakeney and Paul Chartrand, who explain the purpose and objectives of the Commission. Robert Boucher, Commissioner For the Day, is introduced.
File contains a presentation by Andy Von Busse, Alberta Fish and Game Association. Von Busse discusses conservation issues in Alberta, specifically with regards to Aboriginal utilization of wildlife. Following the presentation is a discussion between Von Busse regarding Treaty rights to hunt, and jurisdictional questions with regard to wildlife management and land usage.
File contains a presentation by Chief Archie Waguan of the Mikisew Cree First Nation. Waguan discusses the relationship his people have had with the government of Canada since they signed Treaty Eight in 1899, and the negative impact that the Canadian government and industry have had on their community and the environment which sustains it. Waguan questions the intentions of the Commission and its mandate. Commissioner Blakeney responds to the concerns raised by Waguan, and Commissioner Chartrand also contributes some comments.
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples - Transcriptions of Public Hearings and Round Table Discussions
Documents & Presentations
Author/Creator
Bernard Meneen
Narcisse Moberly
Johnson Sewegaham
Francis Meneen
Gabe Meneen
Cliff Kazony
Harold Cardinal
Description
File contains a presentation by Chief Bernard Meneen, Narcisse Moberly, Chief Johnson Sewegaham, Francis Meneen, Gabe Meneen, Cliff Kazony, and Harold Cardinal, High Level Tribal Council. The file consists of two formal presentations by the Tribal Council and a dialogue between the representatives and the assembled Commissioners.
File contains a presentation by Chief Jim Badger focusing on negotiations with the Natural Sources Conservation Board, training and employment programs, business support programs and disability programs. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.
File contains a presentation by Chief Tony Mercredi, of the Athabasca Chipewyan Band. Mercredi welcomes the Commission, and remarks on his participation at the World Summit Conference in Rio. Mercredi then proceeds to deliver a presentation on the relationship between Canada and Aboriginal peoples and how he thinks it must be renogiated based on new principles of trust and understanding. Mercredi also disucsses the impact of pollution on his community with regard to the uranium mining, oil sands extraction and pulp mills.
File contains a presentation by Dorothy McDonald, Chief, Fort McKay Indian Band. McDonald discusses tar sand development and how it has negatively effected her people and destroyed their traditional way of life.
File contains a presentation by Doug McCrae, President of Keyano College. McCrae discusses his College's operations and its relations to the Aboriginal community as well as area industries such as forestry and oil sands extraction. Following the presentation McCrae discusses some of the issues raised with Commissioners Blakeney and Chartrand.
File contains a presentation by Dwayne Desjarlais, Fort McMurray First Nation. Desjarlais discusses the Al-Pac pulp mill near Lake Athabasca, which he states is the largest on earth. Specifically Desjarlais discusses the enviornmental impacts of such development and the need for First Nations input into the process. Following the presentation is a discussion between Desjarlais and Commissioners Chartrand and Blakeney.
File contains a presentation by Emile Trip-de-Roche. Trip-de-Roche discusses the mandate of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples and her personal views on it. Trip-de-Roche advances a critical view of the Commission's mandate discussing such issues as natural resources, parks, burial grounds, and land claims. Following the presentation is a discussion between Commissioners Chartrand and Blakeney with Trip-de-Roche regarding the Commission and its mandate, followed by an adjournment of the days proceedings.
File contains a presentation by Eric J. Large focusing on major issues affecting his First Nation - lack of proper housing, education, lack of available capital funds to implement various economic development opportunities, recreation for youth and health care. Chief Carl Quinn gives closing remarks to Large's presentation, and then he and Large engage in a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.
File contains a presentation by Everett Lambert. Lambert, a Mohawk-Cree-Metis man, discusses economic development for Aboriginal Canadians. Lambert states that "Natives don't just need money. Natives need jobs. They need meaningful full-time jobs, jobs that keep them busy eight hours a day, 40 houyrs a week, not the part-time underpaying overworked position too many of our people presently hold." Following the presentation Commissioners Blakeney and Shirt discuss employment issues with Lambert.
File contains a presentation by Jack Houle that describes the difficulty of opening a business in Edmonton while being an off-reserve resident. Roadblocks for funding come from various Aboriginal organizations and his own First Nations. He calls on the Commission to help him secure funding. 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
John Crisp
Description
File contains a presentation by John Crisp. Crisp discusses the Paddle Prairie Metis Settlement, its establishment, history, and socioeconomic condition. Crisp relates problems with the Federal government whose census refuses to acknowledge Paddle Prairie's existence as a Metis Settlement, and a variety of health care, social services, and education concerns. Following the presentation is a discussion between Crisp and Commissioners Barb Beaulieu and Rene Dussault on these topics.
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples - Transcriptions of Public Hearings and Round Table Discussions
Documents & Presentations
Author/Creator
Keith Chief Moon
Description
File contains a presentation by Keith Chief Moon, Mohk-E-Saun Committee, Blood Indian Reserve #148. Moon discusses his people's history, and some of their problems with regard to living conditions.
File contains a presentation by Ken Noskiye whose organization in 1989 signed the Metis Settlements Accord with the Alberta government. The Accord established principles for a partnership for Metis self-determination, giving the Metis a land base within to govern themselves in the legislative framework for governance. Noskiye calls for the Commission to ensure the Metis are not left out of government negotiations in the future. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.
File contains a presentation by Mike Mercredi, Director of Athabasca Native Development Corporation. Mercredi describes the mandate and goals of his organization which represents Metis and First Nations people throughout Northern Alberta, and works to provide economic opportunity for them. Mercredi discusses some of the challenges his organization has faced, and some of the structural problems confronting northern economic development. Following the presentation are some remarks by Commissioner Paul Chartrand.
File contains a presentation by Olie Schell. Schell is the manager of Career Development and Employment for the Government of Alberta. Schell discusses programs which Alberta Career Development and Employment have been involved with in the area around Fort McMurray. Following the presentation is a discussion between Schell and Commissioners Blakeney and Chartrand on some of these programs.
File contains a presentation by Pearl Calahasen, MLA for the Lesser Slave Lake constituency in Alberta. She begins her presentation by acknowledging she is speaking as an Aboriginal person, not as MLA. She describes her personal experiences with racism when entering high school in a large city, with post-secondary educational institutions, and with her campaign to run for MLA. Calahasen discusses education, economic development, and fishing, hunting and trapping issues. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.
File contains a presentation by Ralph Richard on behalf of Native Employment Services in High Level, Alberta. Richard discusses his organizations history as a formerly federally funded, and now provincially funded agency that acts as an "honest broker" between non-Aboriginal employers and Aboriginal people. Richard discusses some of the issues his organization faces in this respect and their work with pipeline companies in Alberta. Following the presentation is a discussion between Richard and Commissioners Beaulieu, Robinson, and Dussault.
File contains a presentation by Sharon Venne, Lubicon Cree First Nation. Venne discusses the history of the Lubicon Cree, how they were left out of Treaty Number Eight, and the negative impact the oil industry has had on their community. Venne discusses the Lubicon land claim and the standoff between the Cree and the government of Canada. Following the presentation is a discussion between Venne and Commissioners Chartrand and Blakeney on these issues.
File contains a presentation by Sonny Flett, President of the Fort Chipewyan Metis Local. Flett presents on the concerns of the Metis people of the area, mainly with regard to the impact of industry on the Metis way of life. Flett discusses the negative impact of the Bennett Dam on the Athabasca Delta, polluted water, and a lack of access to education and assistance. Flett also discusses the state of local fisheries and relations with the rest of the Metis Nation of Alberta and the provincial government.
File contains a presentation by Tony Punko, Executive Director of the Athabasca Tribal Corporation. Punko outlines his views on Federal policy towards First Nations, with particular attention to legislative, economic, and social issues. Punko suggests that more attention need be payed to issues of local self-governance. Following the presentation is a discussion between the Commissioners and Punko on these topics.
File contains presentations by the staff and students of Athabasca Delta Community School. Included are remarks by Principal George Vander Loose, students Skylar Nelson, Rebecca Flett, Nicole Martin, Nicole Fraser, and teacher Ms Armstrong. Principal Vander Loose welcomes the Commission and acts as Master of Ceremonies for the other presenters.
File contains brief remarks by Lawrence Saddleback who briefly discusses issues not mentioned earlier in the proceedings of the day. Issues he mentions are hunting and trapping and revenue from natural resources. Following the presentation is a brief question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.