RCAP 58 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 relating to a variety of issues including midwifery, housing, justice, and child and family services. Each presentation can be viewed individually on this site.
File contains a presentation by Anne Rochon Ford, Vicki Ann Wagner, Interim Regulatory Council on Midwifery. The two presenters discuss their organization (funded by the province of Ontario), their work with Aboriginal peoples, jurisdictional issues, the loss of the traditional Aboriginal midwife in Aboriginal society, the desire to incorporate new practices with old, and related issues. They also discuss community birthing centres so that midwifes could be both trained and utilized in a culturally appropriate setting.
File contains a presentation by Gordon Peters, Regional Chief, Chiefs of Ontario. Peters discusses his organization and its goals in representing the First Nations of Ontario including self-governance, the need to administer their own social services programs, land claims in terms of reclamation of what was lost, and problems with intergovernmental relations. Following the presentation are questions and comments by Comissioners Erasmus, Robinson, Blakeney, and Wilson which Peters addresses.
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 Sharon McIvor, Spokesperson, Native Women's Association of Canada. McIvor gives an overview of the history and condition of Aboriginal women in Canada, who at the time of the Commission made up 52% of the Aboriginal population.
File contains a presentation by Susan Beaver, President of Two Spirited People of the First Nations. Beaver discusses her organization's origins and history, including how and why it changed its name in 1991 from "Gays and Lesbians of the First Nations" to "Two Spirited People of the First Nations." Following the presentation are comments by the Commissioners and a discussion between Commissioner Blakeney and Beaver on ideas of self-governance and how they are viewed by Two-Spirited People of the First Nations.
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.