File containing correspondence related to the indigenous people of Labrador. The correspondence between various government officials surrounds the current and past level of assistance given the Inuit and Indigenous people in the area. In particular, the amount of funding to be given for housing. Also included is an article entitled "The Bitter Plight of Labrador's Indians", sent to the PM's office in the hope that it might initiate action.
American Indian Quarterly, vol. 11, no. 4, Autumn, 1987, pp. 287-314
Description
Using the Ojibway Grassy Narrows reservation in Ontario to analyze the negative socioeconomic impact of a lack of Indigenous autonomy and control over their own land and resources.
File contains a presentation by Colleen Nadjiwon-Johnson. Nadjiwon-Johnson, a small business owner from the Walpole Island First Nation, discusses a "number of issues affecting myself and other Native small business owners." These include taxation, economic development initiatives, caisse populaires (credit unions), janitorial and personal services, Aboriginal rights (treaty, hunting, fishing, etc.) advocacy, and human resources issues. Following the presentation Commissioners Erasmus and Chartrand discuss some of the issues raised with Nadjiwon-Johnson.
File contains a presentation by John Turner. Turner presents on behalf of the Mushkegowuk Traditional Harvesters. Turner outlines three reasons why it is becoming increasingly difficult to make a living off the land: the activities of animal rights groups who oppose trapping, the activities of sport hunting groups who oppose subsistence rights to hunt, and the development of hydroelectric projects which negatively impact habitat. Turner then goes on to discuss how Aboriginal people have increasingly adopted European values and look with disdain upon trapping as a career choice.
The file contains a presentation by Walter Manitowabi. Manitowabi, a business development adviser with Waubetek Business Development Corporation of Birch Island, discusses his "small business development which strengthens Aboriginal business.