File contains an individual presentation by Rod Soosay that focuses on growing up in an alcoholic home and now he has raised his children without the presence of alcohol in their home. He also discusses the lack of identity he feels as a Cree person, an Aboriginal person and as a Canadian. Following the presentation is a brief question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.
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 Dr. John Butt, Chief Medical Examiner for the Province of Alberta. Butt's duties include the investigation of sudden death in the province, and he relates that he has statistics showing high incidence of alcohol related violent death within Aboriginal communities across Alberta. Butt states that his wish is not to sensationalize the problem but to fill in a gap in social science literature which has not adequately addressed this issue and bring it to the concern of the Commission. He then introduces the next presenter his colleague, Mary Ellen Arnup.
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 Harriet Janvier, Director, Mark Amy Centre. Janvier discusses some of the community problems she has encountered in her work for an alcohol addiction treatment centre. She highlights a lack of proper facilities, and some of the social problems in the community.
File contains a presentation by Jo-Anne Olson and Dene Kameka. Their group home in Slave Lake cares for behaviourally difficult and emotionally disturbed teenagers from ages 13-17. 60% of their clientele is Aboriginal and from northern Alberta. Their concern lies with the lack of transitional support from group homes back to their families. They call on the Commission to increase funding so that Aboriginal people can be hired to assist the youth with their recovery and their return to their reserve. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.
File contains a presentation by John Loftus on behalf of the Action North Recovery Centre. Loftus discusses the challenges his organization (which treats drug and alcohol abuse, as well as family violence cases) deals with in High Level. Foremost among his concerns are a lack of professional staff and resources. Following the presentation is a discussion between Loftus and Commissioners Dussault and Robinson on these issues.
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 Margo Vermillion, a Fort Chipewyan resident who works as co-ordinator of a temporary elders care unit in the community. Vermillion discusses seniors issues in the community, particularly in terms of long-term care. She discusses the need for such a facility in the community itself, and the detrimental effects of removing seniors from their home community for long-term care. Following the presentation is a discussion between Vermillion and Commissioners Blakeney and Chartrand on senior's issues.
File contains a presentation by Wilson Okeymaw, executive director of an additions facility on Ermineskin First Nation. He addresses the problem of addictions among Canada's Aboriginal peoples and speaks of his own struggle with alcohol. Following the presentation is a brief question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.