Video and transcript of the Aboriginal Head Start On Reserve Program in Winnipeg, Manitoba, with discussion on culture and language, education, health, nutrition, social support and parental involvement.
File contains a copy of a speech given to the Manitoba Historical Society by Donald G. Creighton called "John A. MacDonald, Confederation and the West." It was given on January 11, 1967-the anniversary of Sir John's birthday. Creighton was concerned about the division of Canada through what he called growing misinterpretations of our history as bi-cultural.
Assessment of program for children between three and six which is based on six key components: culture and language, education, health promotion, nutrition, social support, and parental involvement.
RCAP 1 contains files from the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at Fort Garry Place, Winnipeg, Manitoba on April 21, 1992. This was the inagural sitting of the Commission and contains a variety of presentations related to various non-Aboriginal Canadian ethnic groups, Metis, and First Nations organizations. Each presentation can be viewed individually on this site.
RCAP 2 contains files from the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at Fort Garry Place, Winnipeg, Manitoba on April 22, 1992. This was the inagural sitting of the Commission and contains a variety of presentations related to various non-Aboriginal Canadian ethnic groups, Metis, and First Nations organizations. Each presentation can be viewed individually on this site.
RCAP 3 contains files from the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at Fort Garry Place, Winnipeg, Manitoba on April 23, 1992. This was the inagural sitting of the Commission and contains a variety of presentations related to various non-Aboriginal Canadian ethnic groups, Metis, and First Nations organizations. Each presentation can be viewed individually on this site.
File contains a brief prayer in Inuit by Co-Chair Rene Dussault, followed by an introduction of Elder Angus Merrick by Phil Fontaine. Angus Merrick, who is ninety years of age, delivers a prayer in his native language, then makes a few comments on youth regarding cultural awareness and linguistic retention.
File contains opening remarks on the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples by Justice Sinclair and Paul Chartrand. Discusses the Commission, its mandate, and the historical significance of Winnipeg as the starting point for the Commission.
File contains opening remarks on the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples by Rt. Hon Brian Dickson. Dickson speaks on the creation of the Commission, his appointment by Prime Minister Mulroney, the mandate, and composition of the Commission, which Dickson was largely entrusted with enacting. Dickson lists the seven Commission members and provides some biographical background data on them, as well as the importance of dialogue in establishing a new shared future for Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal peoples in Canada.
File contains opening remarks by President Art Miki of the National Association of Japanese Canadians. Miki discusses what he sees as problems in the telling of Canadian history, as well as his hopes for the Commission and that the lives of Aboriginal people across the country will be improved by it.
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples - Transcriptions of Public Hearings and Round Table Discussions
Documents & Presentations
Description
File contains a presentation by Chief Edmund Metatawabin focusing on Aboriginal self-government. He states that local First Nations government must be empowered first to oversee health and family services, education, public works and security, police protection, housing, and other issues relating to First Nations on a local level. Once that structure is in place can Aboriginal leaders call for self-government on a national level. Cecilia Scott, youth representative, speaks briefly about the importance of education for Aboriginal youth.
File contains a presentation by Commission Co-Chair Georges Erasmus during the first public meeting of said Commission. Erasmus spoke about how Chief Thunderchild viewed the need to hold on to Aboriginal land rights, and how this was still important in the nineteen-nineties.
File contains a presentation by Commission Co-Chair Rene Dussault during the first public meeting of said Commission. Dussault discusses the importance of discussion, and listening in the Commission process. “We know that many Aboriginal people are tired of being studied by others. They want to speak directly to us, and we want to hear from them. We want to hear their views of history and of what the future could or should hold for them. Similarly, we want to hear from the non-Aboriginal Canadians, who have not only a right, but an obligation to participate in this debate.
File contains a presentation by Dave Mowat, a University of Manitoba student, regarding education funding, band governance, self-government, and issues he's encountered as a Bill C-31 person.
File contains a presentation by Dorothy Betz, President of the Ke Ki Nan Centre. Presenting alongside Dorothy is Claire Ross, Property manager of the Ke Ki Nan Centre. The Centre was the first urban Aboriginal senior's home of its kind in Canada, and the presenters talk about its establishment and goals. Some comments are also made by the Commissioners regarding the Centre.
File contains a presentation by Elijah Harper regarding a wide variety of issues including self-governance, the Constitution of Canada, previous Royal Commissions, Justice, and some of his personal experiences. Following the presentation is a discussion with the Commissioners.
File contains a presentation by Eric Robinson, President of the Aboriginal Council of Winnipeg. Robinson discusses his organizations purpose, and mainly focuses on the problems facing the urban Status and Treaty people in Winnipeg, and across Canada. He stresses the need for the Federal government to take action on behalf of Treaty people who live off reserve to alleviate poverty, discrimination, and lack of access to services. Following the presentation, Robinson introduces Mary Guilbeault's (also fo the Aboriginal Council of Winnipeg) presentation.
File contains a presentation by Evelyn Webster, Vice-President, Indigenous Women's Collective to the Commission. Webster provides a brief historical overview of her organization, and its mandate to address the social, economic, and political issues confronting Aboriginal women in Manitoba. Webster then goes on to discuss the traditional role of women in Aboriginal societies, and traditional Aboriginal values.
File contains a presentation by Fred Shore, President, Aboriginal Staff, Student Network, University of Manitoba. Shore discusses suggestions to enhance and improve Aboriginal experiences and participation in post-secondary institutions. Following the presentation is a brief discussion with the Commissioners.
File contains a presentation by Gabe Mentouck, a member of Native Mediation Inc. Mentouck relates why he opposes inherent Indian self-government, and tells a personal story of persecution and abuse by the Chief on his reserve. Mentouck highlights problems with a lack of accountability in Status Indian leadership, a lack of respect for individual rights on reserve, gangsterism and threatening behaviour towards those who opposse the status quo, and unfair treatment of himself from the wider Canadian legal system. Following the presentation is a discussion between the Commissioners and Mr.
File contains a presentation by Gilbert Cheechoo focusing on the loss of Aboriginal culture. He is frustrated that his years of service with numerous Aboriginal organizations have done little to help. Cheechoo feels the Canadian Government needs to abandon the broken system it has in place and settle the land claims and self-government issues. Following the presentation is a lengthy question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.
File contains a presentation by Grace Menconse, Vice-President of Native Mediation Inc. Menconse, a Bill C-31 person, discusses her groups problems with an undefined self-government, jurisdictional issues, with lack of accountability and transparency in Band politics, and the need to apply the Charter of Rights and Freedoms to Status Indians. Menconse also discusses electoral fraud and serious human rights abuses which she accuses Aboriginal leadership of being complicit in.
File contains a presentation by Katherine Morrisseau and Iris Lauzon of the Ojibway Language Immersion Program for Preschoolers in Winnipeg. The presenters discuss reasons for the decline of Aboriginal languages, their importance, curriculum, and their efforts to teach Ojibway to children. 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
Lisa Raven
Description
File contains a presentation by Lisa Raven, Hollow Water Band, Wanipigow School. Raven discusses her theory that the government has deliberately underfunded Status Indian education which she equates with an act of genocide. She also discusses the need for significant investments in education and economic development on reserves.
File contains a presentation by Lucassie Arragutainaq, Vice-President, Arctic Co-operatives Limited. Arragutainaq discusses the Co-operative movement in the North, its principles, function, and history across the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. He discusses its importance to Inuit and Dene people, and the need for government policies that are helpful to this kind of community development, particularly in the finanical sector (Credit Unions).
File contains a presentation Mary Guilbeault, Vice-Chairperson, Aboriginal Council of Winnipeg. The presentation contains some personal background on Guilbeault and her experiences as an Aboriginal woman and community/political leader in Winnipeg. She raises a number of issues, most importantly the neccessity to recognize Treaty Rights and provide services regardless of geographic location. Following the presentation is a brief discussion with the Commissioners regarding both this presentation and Eric Robinson's similarly themed one on urban Aboriginal issues in Winnipeg.
File contains a presentation by Maxwell Yalden, Commissioner of the Canadian Human Rights Commission, regarding his organizations past advocacy on behalf of Aboriginal peoples (including its support for the creation of the Commission), a universalist approach to Charter of Rights and Freedoms rights, his view that the Charter is complimentary to collective Aboriginal rights, the need to redress and relieve discrimination and abuses against Aboriginal Canadians, the importance of acting now with regards to Aboriginal issues rather than later.
File contains a presentation by Nelson Sanderson regarding the need to connect Metis youth and the general public with the history and culture of the Metis people. Following the presentation is a discussion with the Commissioners regarding these issues.
File contains a presentation by Pat Harper, representative of Metis Women of Manitoba. The topics she covers include representation, housing, education and training, economic development, family services and culture. Following this is a discussion between Harper and the Commissioners on the topics covered.
File contains a presentation by Peter Decontie, Inuit Elder. Decontie's remarks are in Inuit but translated into English in the text. He discusses problems in his home community including child abandonment (by southern fathers), alcohol and drug abuse, policing, and a lack of policies to help his people. The presentation is followed with remarks by Commissioner George Erasmus.
File contains a presentation by Phil Fontaine (at the time the Grand Chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs) regarding a wide range of topics including the Commission's mandate, Treaty issues, residential schools, justice reform, self-government, and resources. Following the presentation is a wide ranging discussion between Chief Fontaine and the Commission members on topics raised in the presentation.
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples - Transcriptions of Public Hearings and Round Table Discussions
Documents & Presentations
Author/Creator
Fortunate Guiboche
Description
File contains a presentation by Senator Fortunate Guiboche, Metis Senate of Manitoba. Fortunate Guiboche welcomes the Commission to the Metis Homeland, and stresses the importance of this homeland to the Metis people, as well as explaning the significance of the Metis Senate to his people. He then introduces a presentation by Senator Bear.
File contains a presentation by Sharon Pelletier at the University of Manitoba regarding her personal experiences as a mature student, single parent, and Bill C31 person. Following this is a discussion with the Commissioners also involving the preceding presenter, Dave Mowat, also a student at the University of Manitoba, regarding the issues raised in their two presentations.
File contains a presentation by Wayne Helgason, Director, Mamawewitchta Tonta Centre. Helgason discusses his organization in Winnipeg and its mandate to provide Aboriginal people with child and family services, as well as some of the issues he has encountered in such a capacity over the years. Following the presentation is a discussion with the Commissioners regarding both his and Marilyn Fontaine's presentations.
File contains opening remarks by Werner Kurpath, a representative of the Canadian Ethnic Culture Council comprised of immigrants in Canada who arrived after the Second World War. Kurpath offers greetings on behalf of both the CEC and the German Canadian Congress.
File contains a presentation by Yvon Allard, Member of the Manitoba Metis Federation regarding Employment Equity for Aboriginal Peoples and Post-Secondary Institutions. In particular Allard discusses discrimination in employment, and the promotion and protection of Aboriginal cultural identity in educational institutions.
File contains a presentation by Yvon Dumont of the Manitoba Metis Federation regarding the history of the Metis in Canada and the issues they face, particularly the need for a land base, and self-government, for the Metis people. Dumont tells the Commissioners what he expects to come out of the Commission, and what he views as their role in redressing past injustices towards the Metis by Canada.
File contains a presentation by President Georges Druwe of the Societe Franco-Manitobaine (the Franco-Manitoban Society). Presentation begins in French then switches to English translation. President Druwe discusses his organization which represents French speakers in Manitoba, its' interest in the proceedings of the Commission, and its' view that "First Nation, Metis and Inuit communities have reached a critical turning point in their history." Druwe goes on to discuss cross-cultural solidarity and shared concerns.
File contains a presentation by Alana Dams of the First Nations Confederacy Inc. Dams delivers a pre-prepared statement regarding her organizations views on the Commission, and what it sees as the Commission's failure to properly consult and engage with Aboriginal peoples thus far. Commissioner George Erasmus addresses some of the concerns raised, and the Commissions hearings for the day conclude with a closing prayer by Thelma Chalifoux. First Nations Confederacy Inc. is an organization of Manitoba First Nations which represented 16 band governments in Manitoba at the time of the Commission.
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 presentations by Kathy Mallet, Co-ordinator, Sandy Funk, and May Louise Campbell of the Original Women's Network. The presenters discuss their organizations role, their personal backgrounds, resource royalties, history, Treaties, pay equity, the Indian Act, and a variety of other issues their organization has engaged with.
File contains opening remarks by Alex Skead in the Ojibway language (translation in English given as text). Alex discusses his personal spiritual beliefs, the importance of the sweat, and fasting, and the importance of a healthy culture in producing healthy individuals in the wider society.