RCAP 98 contains files for a sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at Brandon, Manitoba. This sitting of the Commission contains presentations relating to women's and Métis issues, employment, friendship centres, Aboriginal policing and education. Each presentation can be viewed individually on this site.
This file contains a brief presentation by Alex Venne relating to the Rural Native Housing Program and its inability to provide adequate housing for Métis people in the southern part of Manitoba. He states that the construction of houses should not be done by outside contractors, but by trained Aboriginal and Métis persons in the community who will eventually occupy them. A lengthy question-and-answer sessions with the Commissioners follows the presentation.
This file contains a presentation by Beverly Bunn focusing on the problems created by her organization's limited government funding and shortage of sufficient staff. She expresses frustration with recent cutbanks and states that the "Aboriginal employment service groups are no less important than any other service offered in this community." She introduces colleague Lorraine McKay and they answer questions from the Commissioners after the presentation.
This file contains a presentation by Bobby Pacco and Loreen Cote focusing on the New Careers program, an education training program that offers training "for Aboriginals and non-Aboriginal people who are structurally barriered into finding good career opportunities." Careers include human service and management administration training. Cote states that in her experience as an Aboriginal student, New Careers has been extremely beneficial in preparing her to enter the workforce. A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.
This file contains a presentation by Brenda Genaille outlining the projected negative effects of program funding cuts by the federal government for 1993-1994. Genaille details some of the programs offered by the Brandon Friendship Centre, including the Adult Basic Literacy Program, a pre-employment training program, drug and alcohol awareness programs, and a human justice court worker program. Genaille introduces Richard Chaske, President of Manitoba Association of Friendship Centres, who takes part in the question-and-answer session with the Commissioners after the presentation.
File contains a presentation by Doris Young of the Indigenous Women's Collective regarding Aboriginal women's issues/views in the realm of the justice system, schools, the Indian Act, training and employment, political systems, and self-governance. Young also stresses the need for Aboriginal women's participation in the establishment of a Charter of Rights for Aboriginal People should such legislation be enacted.
File contains a presentation by by Earl Campbell, Joe Baptiste, and Amanda Gail Daniels, Anishnaabe Owayishi. Campbell discusses their organization Anishnaabe Oway-Ishi Inc. (based in Winnipeg, MB) which he describes as "a pre-training program for employment and training opportunities program for Aboriginal youth." Amanda Gail Daniels speaks about racism, employment equity, and the welfare system. Joe Baptiste discusses the government and economics as they pertain to Aboriginal people in Canada.
This file contains a presentation by Linda Pinch focusing on the Westman WomenÂ’s Shelter in Brandon. The shelter provides safe and temporary accommodation to women and their children who have been physically, emotionally or sexually abused. Pinch also discusses the YWCA Residence Program, a halfway house facility serving people on federal and provincial people, and those needing post-mental health and post-addiction treatment.
This file contains a presentation by Lorraine McKay focusing on Aboriginals living off-reserve in Brandon. She states that large numbers of Aboriginals are moving to larger centres and are finding it difficult to find housing and gain employment. The speaker calls on the Commission to secure funding for more programs for Aboriginals living in Brandon. A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.
File contains a presentation by the Aboriginal Advisory Council. Chairperson Louise Chippeway, Dan Highway, Elsie Moar, Bernice Hilts, Brian Ranville, and Clayton Sandy all contribute. The presenters are all civil servants with the provincial and federal governments and discuss affirmative action programs, overcoming racism, and Aboriginal participation in the labour force. Chairperson Chippeway and Ranville deliver most of the presentation. Following it the assembled Commissioners discuss some of the issues raised with the presenters.
This file contains a presentation by Marty Snelling and Mary Kelleher focusing on the YMCA and the Pre-Employment Program, which "assists the severely employment disadvantaged to find success both in the workplace and in daily living." Kelleher hopes that this program will become a permanent employment training centre in Brandon. Snelling briefly mentions the Stay In School Program that serves students who are considered at risk of dropping out of school. A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.
This file contains a presentation by Merv Pedlow focusing on the Human Resources Opportunity Program, whose purpose is to attempt to respond to the high level of unemployment and high level of social assistance required in those communities. One service provided is procuring funding for students wanting a post-secondary education and Pedlow's organization helps students negotiate through federal, provincial and local government criteria and restrictions to receive funding. A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.
File contains a presentation by William Lathlin. Lathlin, a Councillor of The Pas First Nation, discusses his views on the workplace, worker's compensation, and discrimination in the workplace. Following the presentation is a discussion between Commissioner Blakeney and Mr. Lathlin on some of the workplace issues he raised.
File contains a presentation by Jean Allard (in English). Allard discusses colonization and the suppression of Aboriginal peoples, segregation, his problems with the concept of self-government, and the need for fiscal self-sufficiency and economic developments for Aboriginal (specifically Metis) peoples. Following the presentation is a discussion with the Commissioners regarding his views on these issues.
File contains opening remarks by Silpa Edmunds(via a translator, in addition to a few in English) regarding the economic and cultural problems faced by her people in Labrador and her hopes that the Commission will address these issues. She reiterates some of Boas Jararace's concerns, and also adds the problems of alcoholism, family breakdown, and a loss of cultural identity amongst Inuit, First Nations and Metis people in Labrador. Edmunds is an Inuit woman from Hopedale, Labrador.