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.
File contains an individual presentation by Leo Rutledge, one of twelve advisors to the heritage conservation branch of British Columbia. Rutledge invites the days participants to comment to him on potential heritage sites to be designated for provincial protection. Following Rutldege's remarks the Commission adjourns the day's session.
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 Berni Metecheah, Halfway First Nation. Chief Metecheah outlines some of his concerns over resource development (specifically logging activities) disrupting trap lines, and associated pollution. Metecheah also highlights his concerns with sport hunters wasting moose carcasses and over-hunting in the area, as well as the detrimental impact of herbicides on his community.
File contains a presentation by Chief Fred Holmes. Holmes discusses his views on the situation in Upper Nicola and the "environment vs the environmentalist." Holmes discusses the importance of self-education and recognition of key issues including education, land claims, political organizations, and immigration. Following the presentation Commissioners Dussault and Chartrand thank Holmes for his thoughts.
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples - Transcriptions of Public Hearings and Round Table Discussions
Documents & Presentations
Author/Creator
Jerry Attachie
Description
File contains a presentation by Chief Jerry Attachie, Doig River First Nation. Attachie discusses his issues with resource companies, specifically forestry and oil companies, causing problems for his peoples trapping and hunting activities. Attachie also discusses concerns with education and housing. Following his presentation the assembled Commissioners discuss some of the issues raised with Attachie.
File contains a presentation by Chief Leonard Thomas that briefly touches on a number of issues, such as economic development, the environment, education, health care, preserving historical artifacts and Bill C-31. He introduces the next speaker, Fred Sam.
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples - Transcriptions of Public Hearings and Round Table Discussions
Documents & Presentations
Author/Creator
Ray Harris
Description
File contains a presentation by Chief Ray Harris expressing concern with the distinct society status that Quebec enjoys and questions why Aboriginal peoples do not have the same recognition. Harris believes that "our Indian constitution needs to be entrenched" but says that a basic form of self-government with informal constitutions has worked in many small First Nations in British Columbia for years. He calls upon the Canadian government to also limit provincial jurisdiction relating to wildlife, conservation and forestry, among other areas.
File contains a presentation by Chief Robert Pasco of the Nlaka'pamux Tribal Council. Pasco, Chief of the Oregon Jack Creek Indian Band, discusses the history of his Nlaka'pamux Nation and its efforts to create a strong centralized government in the 1870s, as well as the suppression of this movement by the federal government. Pasco goes on to relate the desire of his people to have a written Constitution based on their traditions and to engage in a government to government relationship with the federal government. Pasco also discusses ongoing land claims and fisheries disputes.
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.
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 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.
Returning Men to Honour: A Guidebook for Developing Intervention and Education Programs for Men Who Batter in Native Communities
Documents & Presentations
Author/Creator
George Behn
Description
File contains a presentation by Grand Chief George Behn, Fort Nelson First Nation. Behn relays the history of his people from the time they signed Treaty 8 until the present. Behn discusses problems with the government and resource companies, and the settlement which his First Nation made for oil royalty revenue. Following the presentation Commissioner Erasmus discusses resource use and pollution issues with Behn.
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.
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples - Transcriptions of Public Hearings and Round Table Discussions
Documents & Presentations
Author/Creator
John Prince
Maurice Browning
Description
File contains a presentation by John Prince and Maurice Browning speaking on behalf of the Elders of their community. The elders have seen 80-90 years of destruction of their hunting and trapping grounds and of the family unit.
File contains a presentation by John Shafer discussing the Canadian government's century-old intent to create policies for the purpose of "extinguishment and assimilation" of Aboriginals in Canada and believes that attitude continues today. He also discusses the harmful effects of water pollution of the watershed that drains into Lake Lil'Wat, British Columbia.
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples - Transcriptions of Public Hearings and Round Table Discussions
Documents & Presentations
Author/Creator
Linda Vandenburg
Wilson Bob
Description
The file contains brief presentations by Linda Vandenburg, representative, Cowichan Band and Wilson Bob, band member of an affiliate band to the South Island Tribal Council. The file also contains closing remarks by the assembled Commissioners. Vandenburg reiterated statements made by an earlier speaker relating to non-enforcement of the Indian Act regulations pertaining to waste management.
File contains a presentation by Lisa Galak, Tseshaht Nation environment representative. Galak describes how pollution and other resource exploitation has adversly effected her people's traditional lands, and her hope that action can be taken to correct the damage. Following the presentation is a discussion between Galak, one Chief Charlie (unidentified) and Commissioners Erasmus and Robinson on measures taken to control pollution, and governments.
File contains a presentation by Maureen Sager, Environmental Coalition. Sager states that she did not realize she would be on the agenda at the hearing, then goes on to outline the views of her group on First Nations issues in a brief presentation. She discusses their interpretation of Canadian history, the need for new negotiations between Canada and First Nations on a nation-to-nation basis, environmental issues regarding the local pulp mill, and why her organization feels the ongoing Constitutional talks (at the time of the presentation) were inadequate.
File contains a presentation by Rick Krehbiel, Regional Director of the Ministry of Environment in Fort St. John. Krehbiel discusses a variety of issues from his perspective as an official of the British Columbia government, who previously worked for the Saskatchewan government in the north of that province.
File contains a presentation by Treaty Eight Tribal Council representatives Reg Whiten, and Chief Stewart Cameron. The Tribal Council's presentation includes video excerpts (not included in the transcript) and an oral presentation dealing with issues of concern to it. Foremost amongst these are concerns with resource development interfering with traditional lifestyles and spiritual areas, and pollution. The presenters also discuss the difficulties they have experienced in working with various levels of government.