Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples: Presentation by Diane Petersen
Presenter gives an overview of the Gwich'in Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement which applies to part of the Yukon and Northwest Territories.
Presenter gives an overview of the Gwich'in Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement which applies to part of the Yukon and Northwest Territories.
Presenter discusses the administrative, economic, and demographic composition of Inuvik, Northwest Territories. Hill discusses its' ethnic composition (1/3 First Nations, 1/3 Inuit, 1/3 other), its' administrative and institutional apparatus, and related issues in response to questioning from Commissioners Rene Dussault, Allan Blakeney, Grace Blake, and Mary Sillett. Land claims and economic development are also discussed.
Presenter discusses the importance of promoting, preserving, and maintaining Gwich'in cultural heritage and issues such as economic development, housing, social services, alcoholism, drug, and solvent abuse, justice and health services.
In response to a question by Commissioner Allan Blakeney, Gillies discusses the amount of health staff in the Mackenzie Delta area including the proportion of Aboriginal employees, and their positions. Commissioner Mary Sillett also asks a staffing question, and then preceding presenter Patricia Lowe and Allan Blakeney discuss northern community staffing issues.
Presenter discusses: the history of the Gwich'in people including the signing of Treaty 11 in 1921; land claim issues; language rights and recognition; self-governance and intergovernmental relations; and cultural, educational, and quality of life concerns.
Villebrun discusses discrimination and low self-esteem issues; alcohol and drug abuse; the need to make Aboriginal history mandatory and a priority in Canadian schools; the intergenerational effects of cultural deprivation; and the need to better equip youth for "living in two cultures."
Adamson discusses the importance of Aboriginal broadcasting to not only Aboriginal but non-Aboriginal Canadians as an educational and cross-cultural understanding tool; language and educational issues; and job training in broadcasting. Billy Day comments on trapping in Inuvik; the impact of the animal rights movement on the trapping economy; land claims and conservation; relations with the RCMP; as well as education and the impact of residential schooling in the North on Aboriginal languages. Following the presentation the assembled Commissioners discuss some of the issues raised.
Presentation discusses: health staffing concerns; alcoholism; the community's Concerned Persons Committee; suicide; running water, sewage, and basic infrastructure for Aboriginal people.
Lowe discusses the society's work promoting the establishment of a shelter for battered women and children in Inuvik over the past four years, and why such a facility is needed.
The file contains a presentation on by President Rita Arey of the Northwest Territories Status of Women organization, closing remarks and a closing prayer. President Arey presents on her organization's work on behalf of women and specifically the challenges facing Aboriginal women in the Northwest Territories.
presentation on the history of Inuvik going back to the establishment of the community in the 1950s. Followed by Commissioner Mary Sillett delivering opening remarks, and Commissioner Allan Blakeney and local Commissioner John Holman discuss the presentation with Allen.
Vice-Chairman of Corporation discusses racism in Canada and its' impact on Aboriginal peoples, a lack of recognition of Aboriginal organizations as legitimate governing bodies and a suggestion to the Commission to "replace the system as it stands now and replace it with one that gives equal stature and governing powers to all." Chairman Hansen then presents on Aboriginal languages, the education system in the Northwest Territories, unequal treatment afforded French, problems facing Aboriginal professionals; and double standards in policing and justice systems.
Beck discusses "the society and what it stands for" through the use of a parable. Simon Jozzy discusses what the multicultural society means to him personally as an immigrant to Canada and stresses that "learning and education is the foundation of understanding." Beck then goes on to discuss racism and combatting it, while Jozzy adds the need for increased education and the important role that parents play in forming children's attitudes about race. Following the presentation the assembled Commissioners discuss the organization and some of the issues raised.