BC Studies, no. 92, Anthropology and History of the Courts, Autumn, 1992, pp. 55-65
Description
Contends that the Delgamuukw decision employed a type of argumentation in which over simplification of language and common sense resulted in a decision based on faulty grounds and inadequate versions of history.
BC Studies, no. 89, In Celebration of Our Survival: The First Nations of British Columbia, Spring, 1991
Description
Cites examples of both federal and provincial legislation which aimed at eradicating First Nations through restricting or impairing their ability to act.
Manitoba Law Journal, vol. 21, 1991-1992, pp. 618-630
Description
Case involved an initiation ceremony for spirit dancing. Defendants claimed that their inherent right to spirit dance nullified the common law dealing with assault, battery and false imprisonment.
Cultural Survival Quarterly, vol. 16, no. 3, Speaking For Ourselves, Fall, 1992
Description
Discusses the protest of Spain's 500 years celebration and the boarding of a Columbus expedition to demand an apology for mass cultural genocide. The article also discusses two projects - one for fishing and one to protect the environment.
Compares testimonies of Drs. Sheila Robinson and Wayne Suttles in the Heiltsuk herring roe fisheries case attempting to show how scholarship can manipulate histories.
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 presentation by Bob Neale, President of the Nicola Stock Breeders' Association. Neale discusses his concerns with the land claims process underway in the Nicola Valley area of British Columbia and makes a variety of requests including that grazing rules for Crown Land be the same for Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal stock owners, and that an impartial third party be included in the land claims resolution process. Following the presentation Commissioners Dussault and Chartrand thank Neale for his contributions.
File contains a presentation by Buddy Napoleon. Napoleon presents a history of Aboriginal peoples from a legal perspective from early colonization up until the present day in the Treaty Eight area. Napoleon then makes a series of policy recommendations to the Commission to rectify his concerns with government actions in the area. Following Napoleon's presentation, Napoleon and previous presenter Chief Berni Metecheah field questions from Commissioner Georges Erasmus related to issues facing the Halfway River First Nation.
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples - Transcriptions of Public Hearings and Round Table Discussions
Documents & Presentations
Author/Creator
Andrew Thomas
Description
File contains a presentation by Chief Andrew Thomas addressing the toxic waste located on the Esquimalt Reserve and asking why it are no toxic waste disposal facilities in all of British Columbia. Thomas is also chairman of the Land Claims Committee for the First Nations of South Island, British Columbia. He reads briefly from a report from that committee documenting the history of the Douglas Treaties and states that the Fisheries Act trumps all fishing rights negotiated during the Douglas Treaties signings.
File contains a presentation by Chief Paul Sam, Shuswap Indian Band. Sam discusses the struggle for Aboriginal self-governance in Canada and his thoughts on the recently defeated Charlottetown Accord, as well as the problems he sees as being inherent in the system.
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples - Transcriptions of Public Hearings and Round Table Discussions
Documents & Presentations
Author/Creator
Clarence Apsassin
Description
File contains a presentation by Clarence Apsassin, Blueberry River Reserve. He relates a brief history of Aboriginal people in North America from before 1492 down to the present day. Following this he discusses some of the history of Treaty 8 people, and his own work with various Aboriginal organizations. Apsassin makes a series of recommendations that Aboriginal governments be given more jurisdiction over their own affairs, and control over their own land and resources.
File contains a presentation by George Saddleman. Saddleman welcomes the Commission on behalf of the Nicola Valley Tribal Council, then proceeds to give an organizational breakdown of the organization and discuss its institutional history. Saddleman discusses issues facing the Tribal Council's members such as water rights, fishing and hunting rights, and land claims. Following the presentation Commissioners Dussault and Chartrand thank Saddleman for his presentation.
File contains a presentation by Peter Haavlik, Director, Treaty Eight Tribal Association. Haavlik discusses his organizations views of Treaty Eight and the ongoing land claims and self-government process its members are engaged in with the Federal government. He makes a series of recommendations to fix problems he sees with the process as it is currently ongoing in British Columbia, one of which is to copy positive aspects of the Saskatchewan government's Treaty Land Entitlement process. Following the presentation Commissioner Erasmus discusses some of the issues raised with Havlik.
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples - Transcriptions of Public Hearings and Round Table Discussions
Documents & Presentations
Author/Creator
Sharon Venne
Description
File contains an a presentation by Sharon Venne of the Saulteau First Nation. She provides her perspective on Aboriginal governance, the Treaty and the failure of non-Aboriginal society to live up to it, conflicts with the province over wildlife management rights, and educational matters. Following Venne's presentation Erasmus discusses some of these issues with her. Venne also discusses the origins of her First Nation in Manitoba, and a trip there to meet with distant Saulteaux relations of her Nation. A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.
Argues that communication based on willing participants who are open-minded and committed are essential if the resolution of land claims is to be successful. The process must also be seen or viewed to be taking place in a timely fashion or activism may become more aggressive.