Native Studies Review, vol. 3, no. 2, Native Peoples, Museums, and Heritage Resource Management, 1987, pp. 87-97
Description
Describes the evolution of the Native Youth Program, some of the challenges and benefits associated with it, and the applicability of similar projects in schools.
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples - Transcriptions of Public Hearings and Round Table Discussions
Documents & Presentations
Description
RCAP 15 contains files from the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at Esquimalt Reserve Longhouse, British Columbia. This sitting of the Commission contains a variety of presentations related to various issues such as residential schools, the Indian Act, self-government, youth athletics, education and economic development. Each presentation can be viewed individually on this site.
File contains a presentation by Alex Nelson, Aboriginal Sport and Recreation Association of British Columbia. Nelson describes himself as a sports addict and has been involved with coaching sports his entire adult life. He sees the North American Indigenous Games as the pinnacle of Aboriginal sporting achievement, and he hopes that sports funding at the local levels is increased so that Aboriginal youth continue to have the opportunity to play sports. Following the presentation is a discussion with the Commissioners.
File contains a presentation by Brian Thorne relating to the destruction of the Aboriginal family and how to restore pride in family and in one's self. Thorne believes that the restoration of Aboriginal culture, values and beliefs are essential is Aboriginal self-government is to succeed.
File contains a presentation by Cathy Rutherford. Rutherford discusses her observations as the foster parent of 16 Aboriginal children and 10 white children. Following the presentation Commissioners Dussault and Chartrand thank her for sharing her views.
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples - Transcriptions of Public Hearings and Round Table Discussions
Documents & Presentations
Author/Creator
Bob Gill
William George
Margaret George
Sandra Tigi
Description
File contains a presentation by four members of the Talka Lake Band addressing a wide range of issues affecting their community, including the Indian Act, land claims and self-government, free trade, Aboriginal war veterans and Aboriginal youth.
File contains a presentation by Chief Charlie Cootes, Uchucklesaht Residential Schools. Cootes relates the often painful history of the Nuu-Chah-Nulth's experience with residential schools, and its legacy on their communities.
File contains a presentation by Chief Councillor Danny Watts. Watts discusses housing and infrastrcture, as well as his orgnaization's need for increased revenue to meet its obligations. Watts also discusses the Federal government and his views on affordable housing provision.
File contains a presentation by Chief Councillor, Kelly Dennis, Ohiaht Child Protection. Kelly discusses the traditional cultural approach of the Nuu-Chah-Nulth people to childcare, the breakdown of the traditional process during colonization, the impact of the residential school system, the need for self-governance, social programs in place and who administers them, and what can be improved in Mr. Dennis' view.
File contains a presentation by Chief Paul Sam. Chief Sam comments on the preceding presentations of Cathy Rutherford, and the two Roman Catholic Peace and Development Group presenters. Following this Sam invites the Commissioners to come in six months time and take in an Aboriginal fastball tournament. Following the Chief's remarks Commissioners Dussault and Chartrand discuss this with him.
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples - Transcriptions of Public Hearings and Round Table Discussions
Documents & Presentations
Author/Creator
Tom Sampson
Description
File contains a presentation by Chief Tom Sampson discussing the cultural significance of the longhouse where the hearings are being held and how that meaning has been lost through the years. He believes that young people do not learn from the wisdom of Elders and that the recent suicides on his First Nations are becoming "a full-time event in our villages" because of the lack of opportunities on Esquimalt Reserve. Following the presentation is a discussion with the Commissioners.
File contains a presentation by the Nicola Valley Native Community Law Office, Merritt Legal Services, by Cliff Thorstenson. He discusses his observations on Aboriginal people and the Canadian justice system, particularly with regards to the local situation. Thorstenson offers a critique of justice institutions, and recommends a more culturally appropriate approach to community justice issues. Following the presentation is a discussion between Commissioners Chartrand and Dussault on justice concerns.
File contains a presentation by the Coldwater Band School. School. The presentation is made up of comments by multiple students at both the elementary and secondary level highlighting collective concerns such as the physical, mental, and environmental well-being of their community. 15 students and staff speak in total. Following the presentations are comments by Commissioners Dussault and Chartrand thanking the presenters for their contributions.
File contains a presentation by Debbie Foxcraft, Manager, USMA Nuu-chah-nulth Housing and Related Infrastructure. Commissioner Georges Erasmus asks Foxcraft a variety of questions related to her organization and its activities in the sphere of child and family services to which Foxcraft replies. Following this are some comments by Commissioner for the day Nelson Keitlah on children's issues.
File contains a presentation by Denny Grisdale, District No. 70 School Board. Grisdale discusses the trust and relationship between his School District and the Nuu-Chah-Nulth Tribal Council. He relates several anecdotes about the importance of First Nations language instruction, First Nations teaching approachs, and respect for First Nations culture in a more general sense. Grisdale then introduces the next presenter who is also from his school board, Donna Brett.
File contains a presentation by Diane Dokkie. Dokkie discusses Aboriginal education concerns in Fort St. John. She emphasizes the need for curriculum changes, greater understanding and awareness on the part of non-Aboriginal educators, and related concerns. Dokkie also discusses band schools. Following the presentation the assembled Commissioners engage Dokkie in a discussion on some of these issues.
File contains a presentation by Earl Claxton, Saanich culture teacher at the Saanich Tribal School. Claxton teaches the Saanich tribal language to students in a two-year immersion program. The Commissioners are appalled to learn that out of approximately 3000 Saanich band members, there are only 20 people who can speak the language. Claxton hopes that the Saanich language program continues to be funded as the Saanich language may die out if younger generations do not learn the language. A discussion with the Commissioners follows the presentation.
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples: Presentation by Elmer Derrick and Doreen Sherry, Gitanyow Band and Independent School SocietyhintherWed, 06/03/2009 - 23:45
Documents & Presentations
Description
File contains a presentation by Elmer Derrick and Doreen Sherry relating to education of Gitanyow children and youth. Large numbers of Gitanyow youth are returning to school and the speakers call on the Commission to secure funding for a new school. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.
File contains a presentation by Gerri Collins, Second Vice-Chairman, British Columbia Association of Friendship Centres. She introduces Wilfred Price and Wally Samuel, members of the executive of the British Columbia Association of Friendship Centres. Collins gives a brief history of the Canadian Friendship Centre movement. She questions the validity of holding discussions around urban Aboriginal self-government without the involvement of the BC Association of Friendship Centres, the only urban Aboriginal organization which has a mechanism in place already.
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples: Presentation by Glen Williams, Board Chairperson, Gitwanak Education SocietyhintherWed, 06/03/2009 - 23:45
Documents & Presentations
Description
File contains a presentation by Glen Williams discussing the Gitksan culture immersion program for pre- and primary school children in Gitanyow. The program is modeled on a Maori cultural school program in New Zealand and Williams calls for more funding from the Canadian government to ensure that the Gitksan culture and language does not become extinct. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.
File contains a presentation by Gordon F.D. Wilson, Leader of the Official Opposition of British Columbia. He believes that the principle of Aboriginal self-government should be entrenched with the Canadian Constitution, and accomplished through negotiation, not litigation. Wilson also calls for commissions that will examine Aboriginal health care and social justice issues. He acknowledges problems relating to Aboriginal people living off-reserve should be considered by the Commission.
File contains a presentation by Irene Willard, a 21 year old who was a foster child. Willard discusses some of the problems with Social Services and Foster Care that she encountered in her life, including being placed in a prejudiced household, and not even knowing she was a Status person until age 19. Following the presentation the Commissioners thank her, and then Chief Agnes McCoy makes closing remarks to end the Commissions sitting for the day.
File contains a presentation by Jill Harris that summarizes the presentations of the previous four speakers. She notes that students from the Aboriginal Government class at the University of Victoria are present and feels their presence represents the action being taken by Aboriginal governments to work for a better life for Aboriginal youth. Harris believes that "reconciliation between our Aboriginal governments and the Canadian governments must be a priority". A discussion between the presenters and Commissioners follows the presentation.
File contains a presentation by John Elliot, Saanich Tribal School. He reiterates what a previous speaker, Earl Claxton, said about the disappearance of the Saanich language. He hopes that the Commission recommends continuing funding of a two-year program that teaches the Saanich language and culture. Following the presentation is a discussion with the Commissioners.
File contains a presentation by Mary Charleson of Victoria, British Columbia, via sign language interpreter. Charleson attended the Jericho Hill School for the Deaf in Vancouver where there were few Aboriginal people. She would like to see a program for assisting hearing-impaired Aboriginal people who want to return to their reserve. A discussion with the Commissioners follows the presentation.
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.
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples - Transcriptions of Public Hearings and Round Table Discussions
Documents & Presentations
Author/Creator
Tom George
Description
File contains a presentation by Tom George focusing on the lack of funding for drug and alcohol recovery programs for Aboriginals in Canada. Lack of employment, recreation facilities, and shelter for women and children are problems George's group faces. He calls on the Commission to help secure funding for his organization. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.
File contains a presentation by Trustee Heather Maloney, School District Liaison Committee. Maloney discusses how the liaison committee between the District No. 70 School Board (British Columbia) and the Nuu-Chah-Nulth Tribal Council operates. Following her presentation are a series of remarks by the two preceding presenters, Denny Grisdale, and Donna Brett, also from the School District, on programs and policies they have implemented with relation to Nuu-Chah-Nulth students.
File contains a presentation by an unidentified female speaker concerned with the lack of resources within the educational system to help her child, whom she described as a slow learner. The speaker is a social worker who helps people solve a multitude of problems, yet she is unable to find adequate education for her own child as the resources aren't available. She asks the Commissioners to "address the people who cannot speak for themselves."
File contains a presentation by Warren Williams of the Nicola Valley Tribal Council Family and Children's Services Advisory Board. Williams discusses the Tribal Councils efforts to develop a First Nations Child and Family Services agency and model. Following the presentation Commissioner Dussault thanks Williams, and Commissioner Chartrand converses with Williams about some of the topics raised in the presentation.