Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples 5: Family Hall, Inuvik, Northwest Territories
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples 5: Opening Prayer and Opening Remarks
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples 6: Family Hall, Inuvik, Northwest Territories
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples: Presentation by Alan Maksagak, Kitikmeot Inuit Association (Via Translator)
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples: Presentation by Bonita Chlow, Ingamo Hall Friendship Centre
Presenter discusses the need for: literacy programs in the community, hands-on practically oriented education programs, low-level educational and life skills training, alcoholism counselling services, detox centre; problems with increasingly limited hospital facilities and a lack of psychiatric facilities; the need for a local victim assistance service organization in the community; as well as financial and staffing concerns at the Friendship Centre itself. Following the presentation Jimmy Omilgoituk comments on related education matters in the community.
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples: Presentation by Cece McAuley and Closing Remarks
McCauley comments on Aboriginal staffing issues with the Inuvik RCMP, as well as job training and government employment generally in Northern communities. Following McCauley's comments is a general discussion between Commissioners John Holman and preceding presenter George Gillies on Inuvik hospital maintenance costs.
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples: Presentation by Chief James Firth, Inuvik Gwich'in Council
Presentation on the history of Inuvik including the relocation of people by the government from nearby Aklavik to Inuvik; alcoholism and related social and health problems; the need to prepare for future resource development; the need for cross-cultural co-operation and mutual respect; some of the goals of the Council; the relationship of self-esteem to quality of life; and the need for a "renewed political arrangement with the Government of Canada."
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples: Presentation by Dick Hill
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.
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples: Presentation by Elizabeth Hansen, Councillor, Inuvik Native Band
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.
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples: Presentation by George Gillies, Inuvik Regional Hospital
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.
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples: Presentation by Kelvin Ng, Kitikmeot Regional Council
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples: Presentation by Margaret Donovan, Vice-President, Gwich'in Tribal Council
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.
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples: Presentation by Patricia Lowe, Society of Friends Against Family Violence
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.
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples: Presentation by Rita Arey, President, Northwest Territories Status of Women, Closing Remarks, and Closing Prayer
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.
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples: Presentation by Victor Allen
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.
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples: Presentation on behalf of the Inuvik Community Corporation, Pauline Gordon and Glenna Hansen
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.
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples: Presentation on behalf of the Inuvik Regional Multicultural Society, Louis Beck and Simon Jozzy
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.
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples: Presentations by Cheryl Greenland, Gwich'in Youth and Eugene Pascal, Chief, Aklavik Indian Band
Greenland discusses Gwich'in language and culture, post-secondary education, and general youth concerns. Chief Pascal discusses the Mackenzie Delta region and its' significance; the legacy of cultural destruction; the importance of self-determination and self-governance; language education; the need for program development for the Gwi'chin of the Mackenzie Delta including "treaty, non-status, Metis;" a land claim agreement and its' particulars; and the need to decentralize powers from the federal and territorial governments back to the Gwich'in people.