RCAP 59 contains files from the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at the Park Plaza Hotel, in Toronto, Ontario. This sitting of the Commission contains presentations including a round table discussion on Urban concerns, various Aboriginal organizations in Toronto, the United Church Native Solidarity Circle, and a series of individual presentations. Each presentation can be viewed individually on this site.
File contains an individual presentation by Moses Tom that touches on a number of issues, including elder care and inadequate child and family services programs. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.
File contains a presentation by Bernd Christmas, Chairman, Native Canadian Centre of Toronto Self-Government Committee. Christmas discusses the historical phenomenon of Aboriginal migration to urban areas, the establishment of clubs and their historical evolution into Friendship Centres, and the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto. Christmas discusses his organizations views on urban self-governance, and the work they have done in this area. Following the presentation is a discussion between Christmas and Commissioners Blakeney and Erasmus, followed by the closing of the days proceedings.
File contains a presentation by Bernice Dubec that recommends that the federal and provincial governments develop a more proactive strategy in addressing the needs of Aboriginal people through direct transfer payments to urban councils that would facilitate an effective and efficient community development process. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.
File contains a presentation by Chris Axworthy relating to his constituency that encompasses a large Aboriginal population made up of status Indians living off-reserve, as well as non-status Indians and Metis people. He is aware of the feeling of disfranchisement of urban Aboriginal people, the need for self-government, and for more funding for Aboriginal post-secondary education. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.
File contains a presentation by Colleen Wassegijig and Simon Paul. Wassegijig discusses the history of Aboriginal peoples in Canada with respect to formal education systems, and some of the problems that has created which now must be overcome. Simon Paul, a Dene man originally from Northern Saskatchewan, discusses Aboriginal education programs in Scarborough, Ontario for First Nations and Métis residents.
File contains a presentation by David Chartrand, President of the National Association of Friendship Centres, with comments by Terry and Tom Doxidurn, executive director and Vice-President, respectively, of said organization.
File contains a presentation by David Newhouse. Newhouse, a professor of Native Studies at Trent University, delivers a presentation highlighting six ways that he thinks Aboriginal society is changing: 1) urbanization, 2) "retraditionalization", 3) institutionalization, 4) the process of self-government, 5) cultural identity reinforcement, and 6) textual transformation. Newhouse elaborates on these sociological concepts, and then discusses their implications with Commissioners Blakeney, Wilson, Sillet, and Harper.
File contains a presentation by J. Spencer Rowe. Rowe makes an individual presentation on cultural issues. Rowe discusses the importance of Aboriginal language education, and how he views spirituality as the path forward for Aboriginal peoples but that this root is difficult as they have become seperated from their lands.
File contains a presentation by Jimmy Dick. Dick discusses the inherent right to self-government and his views on it. Following the presentation is a discussion between Commissioners Chartrand and Blakeney with Dick on the form self-governance should theoretically take, specifically with regard to an urban context like Toronto.
File contains a presentation by Joe Miskokomon, Grand Chief, Union of Ontario Indians. Miskokomon delivers a presentation on behalf of his organization that deals with the challenges facing its members: namely, self-governance, overcoming divisions between Aboriginal peoples, the struggle for women's equality, urban issues, and others. Miskomon states that he views self-governance primarily as a question of jurisdiction, and that jurisdictional issues must be addressed. Following the presentation are comments and a discussion between Commissioners Dussault, Erasmus, Robinson and Miskomon.
File contains a presentation by Jonathan Rudin. who's a member of Aboriginal Legal Services of Toronto, discusses his organizations work with Aboriginal people in the urban context and some of the concerns facing them. Rudin then goes on to discuss the community based approach to justice that ALST has developed to address some of these issues.
File contains a presentation by LaShelle Brant of the First Peoples Fund of Toronto. Brant discusses her organization's origins and its accomplishments to date. The fund is intended to provide credit for Aboriginal entrepreneurs. Following the presentation is a discussion between Brant and Commissioners Blakeney and Wilson on business development issues.
File contains a presentation by RMP (Ron Momogeeshick Peters), an Ojibwa man, relates his personal life story including relationship difficulties and the struggles he has faced in his life.
File contains a presentation by Laura Wynn, Executive Director of the Nishnawbe-Gamik Friendship Centre. Wynn discusses the Friendship Centre itself in terms of funding and service arrangements, and delivers their position on issues of land claims, self-governance, urban issues, and health issues. Following the presentation the assembled Commissioners discuss some of these issues with Wynn.
File contains a presentation by Vern Douglas and Ken Richard of Native Child and Family Services. Douglas discusses the history of the organization in Toronto, and how it came about as a grassroots organization amongst Aboriginal people who had been victims of the Child Welfare system. He discusses the mandate of the organization and the composition of its board which is balanced between several Aboriginal groups. Ken Richards discusses the services the organization provides for Aboriginal children and families, and some of the data involved.
File contains a presentation by Vern Harper. Harper discusses some of his views on Aboriginal people's place within Canadian society, and on artistic and cultural concerns. Harper also relates some of his own personal life story.
File contains a round table discussion on urban Aboriginal concerns with Bruce Yacatto, Isabel Bassett, Michael Bliss, Janet Maher, Susan Eng, Colleen Wassegijig, and Commissioners Blakeney, Harper, Sillet, and Wilson. The discussion incorporates a wide variety of issue relating to urban Aboriginal peoples including education, social services, community policing, and governance issues.