Journal of Ecotourism, vol. 8, no. 2, Aboriginal Ecotourism, June 2009, pp. 128-143
Description
Looks at the outcomes of reporting back the results of research findings to communities in Churchill, Manitoba, Cambridge Bay and Pond Inlet in Nunavut.
RCAP 67 contains files for a sitting of the Royal Commission for Aboriginal Peoples in the Luke Novoligak Hall, Cambridge Bay, Northwest Territories (Nunavut). Subjects include residential schools, alcohol and drug abuse, the Katimavik Society, education, self-government and lack of employment and housing. Each submission can be viewed individually on this site.
File contains an individual presentation by Harry Maksagak focusing on the life of the Inuit pre-contact and the negative impact of losing their nomadic way of life. He foresees the future government of Nunavut as being able to negotiate with the federal government for much-needed schools, employment and housing for the Cambridge Bay area. A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.
File contains an individual presentation by Jimmy Ayalik focusing on his life in Cambridge Bay and how the once-plentiful hunting grounds have been damaged by area mining. He was a skilled hunter and can no longer support his extended family. His lack of education means that he must go on welfare and he can't gain employment because of that.
File contains opening remarks by Joe Otokiak, Facilitator and by Allan Blakeney and Viola Robinson, Commissioners. The Commissioners explain the purpose and goals of the Commission. John Maksagak, Commissioner for the Day, is introduced.
File contains a presentation by Alan Maksagak touching on a number of subjects, such as land claims, the future government of Nunavut, economic development and the difficulty in securing loans for businesses in the Cambridge Bay area. A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.
File contains a presentation by Bertram Maksagak, Kim Tologanak, Vicky Palviolok and Michelle Gillis relating to the difficulties of keeping the Cambridge Bay youth away from drug and alcohol abuse. The group proposes a recreational facility as the young children and teenagers "have nothing to do and nowhere to go." A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.
File contains a presentation by Charlie Evalik that first describes the life of the Inuit in the Cambridge Bay area beginning in the 1950s, where the Inuit were forced to adapt to a more permanent home life in settlements, rather than continue with their nomadic way of life. He discusses some issues that are affecting Cambridge Bay residents, such as lack of post-secondary opportunities, employment, lack of proper housing, and a high rate of residents on welfare. A lengthy question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.
File contains a presentation by David Kaosoni on behalf of the Katimavik Society, a counselling service for persons in the Cambridge Bay area who are dealing with alcohol and drug-related problems. He states that the staff turnover rate is extremely high as the number of cases overwhelm his staff. Kaosoni calls on the Commission to increase the federal government's funding of his organization. A lengthy question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.
File contains a presentation by Harry Maksagak, whose organization supports territorial Aboriginal training and employment policies, and provides a territorial forum for discussion and possible adaptation of policy that will encourage programs and services for Aboriginal people seeking to enter the unique labour markets of the Northwest Territories. Citing census statistics, he calls on the Commission to help provide more funding for Aboriginal youth to obtain the necessary post-secondary education to fill urgently needed jobs.
File contains a presentation by James Kavana and Moses Koihok that first provides a brief history of Cambridge Bay. The presenters state that "we would have been better off out in our own hunting grounds away from the settlement" of Cambridge Bay but with the forced 1950s relocation of Inuit into the settlement created a culture and lifestyle crisis for those Inuit who were relocated. John Maksagak, Commissioner for the Day, adds some remarks about the history of Cambridge Bay and his experiences growing up in an alcohol-free environment.
File contains a presentation by James Panioyak that initially describes a harsh life in the bush for Inuit children pre-contact, but a fulfilling one as children learned to respect their parents, their elders and the land. By a person's late teens, survival skills had been learned and upon marriage, a man was capable of fishing and trapping to feed his family and a woman was able to make and repair clothing and to prepare and cook food. Panioyak hopes the Inuktitut language will not die out and believes that elders should be utilized to teach children and youth the old ways and language.
File contains a presentation by Joe Ohokannoak that covers a number of subjects, including no high school courses past Grade 10 in the Cambridge Bay area, potential employment with the expected construction of a new mine, a lack of radio broadcasting facilities, and health issues. A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples - Transcriptions of Public Hearings and Round Table Discussions
Documents & Presentations
Author/Creator
Kelvin Ng
Description
File contains a presentation by Kelvin Ng whose organization deal with political, economic and social issues at the regional level. Their goal is to lobby for changes which will benefit all residents of the region. Subjects discussed are education, economic development, the establishment of a financial institution that would serve area residents, a housing shortage and high rates of employment. A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.
File contains a presentation by Larry Aknavigak focusing on four subjects: the powers assigned to the Divisional Board, the future government of Nunavut, post-secondary education and Inuit teachers teaching Inuit culture. A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.
File contains a presentation by Luke Novoligak whose organization was established in 1959 and serves Cambridge Bay and area. The store is essential for supplies and in addition, the Co-op also runs a hotel and a commercial fishing venture. A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.
File contains a presentation by Mary Rose Maksagak discussing the lack of recreation facilities, housing and educational opportunities in Cambridge Bay. She hopes that Grades 11 and 12 will be offered soon as students must leave home to finish high school in Yellowknife. She calls on the Commission to help with proposed funding for a new building that would hold Grades 9-12 under one roof. A lengthy question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.
File contains a presentation by Terry Hawkins discussing the difficulties of hiring Aboriginal and Inuit construction workers, due to lack of education. He is aware that students must leave Cambridge Bay and complete high school in the south and believes that larger educational facilities in Cambridge Bay are needed to accommodate the student population. A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.