Case involved a 20-month-old who died while in a foster home and under the care of the Saskatchewan Dept. of Social Services. Concluded that the death was preventable.
File contains an opening prayer for the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at Ile a la Crosse, Saskatchewan, on Tuesday, December 8, 1992. The opening prayer was made by Jim Favel and Commissioner of the Day Martin Durocher called on the moderator, Max Morin, to present a Historical Perspective of Ile a la Crosse. Opening remarks were made by Commissioner Rene Dussault and Commissioner Mary Sillett regarding the composition and mandate of the Commission and commenting on the Historical Perspective.
File contains remarks by Allison Ballantyne, Kiknahk Friendship Centre. Ballantyne discusses the Centre's programming and some of the issues it faces, notably a lack of adequate resources for its programming.
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples - Transcriptions of Public Hearings and Round Table Discussions
Documents & Presentations
Author/Creator
Arnold Blackstar
Description
File contains a presentation by Arnold Blackstar, Battlefords Indian and Metis Friendship Centre. Blackstar presents a letter on behalf of the President of the Friendship Centre who was unable to be in attendance which welcomes the Commission and outlines what the Friendship Centre does in the Battlefords. Following that, Blackstar, who is the Centre's youth co-ordinator, presents on some of the issues youth programming faces, particularly a lack of stable and adequate funding. Blackstar also discusses some of the challenges faced by Aboriginal youth in post-secondary education.
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples - Transcriptions of Public Hearings and Round Table Discussions
Documents & Presentations
Author/Creator
Ben Weenie
Description
File contains a presentation by Ben Weenie of Battlefords, Indian Health. Weenie presents on his concerns for Aboriginal children and youth. Specifically he addresses the condition of youth offenders, who he views as being often caught in a destructive cycle. Weenie also discusses concerns with the Saskatchewan Education curriculum and its attempts to incorporate Native Studies courses which he feels are inappropriately taught (especially with regards to spiritual views). Following the presentation is a discussion between Weenie and Commissioners Blakeney and Erasmus on these issues.
File contains a presentation by Cheryl Starr whose organization working in conjunction with the National Native Alcohol and Drug Abuse and Prevention Program. She is a strong advocate of the numerous Aboriginal youth conferences happening more frequently in Saskatchewan and Canada, and feels this forum is critical for youth to speak for themselves and lobby for positive changes affecting them and their families. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.
File contains a presentation by Cindy Sparvier, social worker at the all-Aboriginal high school in Saskatoon. The staff at Joe Duquette address common and painful issues with the students and help them work through their problems, as well as providing an education based on Aboriginal values and history. She calls on the Commission to help secure funding for either an expansion of the present school or for a new facility. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples - Transcriptions of Public Hearings and Round Table Discussions
Documents & Presentations
Author/Creator
Dawn Campbell
Karen Scout
Description
File contains a presentation by Dawn Campbell and Karen Scout, two Native Studies students at North Battlefords Comprehensive High School. The two present on a point by point basis identifying problems in the spheres of racism, drug and alcohol abuse, suicide, teen pregnancy, loss of culture, boredom and lack of motivation, crime, violence and abuse, education and job training. They also offer solutions for each point. Following the presentation is a discussion between the two presenters and Commissioner Erasmus and Blakeney on some of the ideas put forth.
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples - Transcriptions of Public Hearings and Round Table Discussions
Documents & Presentations
Author/Creator
Doug Anguish
Description
File contains a presentation by Doug Anguish, Member of the Legislature. Anguish discusses his experiences as a life-long resident of what he terms northwestern Saskatchewan (Meadow Lake-Battlefords area), and MLA for the Battlefords Consituency. Specifically he discusses the Indian Act and the need to replace it, the situation of Indian and Metis youth in the area, and economic concerns. Following the presentation is a discussion between Anguish and Commissioners Blakeney and Erasmus on these issues.
File contains a presentation by Gloria Mehlmann and Karen Chamone focusing on education as it relates to Indian and Metis peoples. They recommend that Indian and Metis materials must be an integral part of the curriculum; Indian and Metis materials must be presented in all subject areas; and contemporary materials on Indian and Metis people must complement historical material, among other recommendations. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples - Transcriptions of Public Hearings and Round Table Discussions
Documents & Presentations
Author/Creator
Harriet Arcand
Description
File contains a presentation by Harriet Arcand, Elder, Aboriginal Women's Council of Saskatchewan. Arcand raises concerns about Aboriginal youth in correctional centres, the issues they face due to neglect, and the dysfunctionality of the system. Arcand also comments on funding for her women's organization. Following her statement she discusses some of these issues with Commissioner Georges Erasmus.
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples - Transcriptions of Public Hearings and Round Table Discussions
Documents & Presentations
Author/Creator
Jim Swetenham
Description
File contains a presentation by Jim Sweetenham. Sweetenham, a member of the Battlefords Fire Department, and a youth counsellor of fire setters, gives his presentation as an individual. Sweetenham discusses the problem of young people starting fires which disproportionately effects Aboriginal youth. He gives his views on how this can be addressed, and ignorance in the general society towards the issues of Aboriginal people.
File contains a presentation by Kim Beaudin explaining her role as developing programs and services for urban Aboriginals especially for children and youths. Programs include hoop dancing, drumming, pow-wow dancing, story-telling and Aboriginal arts and crafts. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.
File contains a presentation on behalf of the Metis Addcitions Council of Saskatchewan by Ms. Georgina Jolibois. Jolibois discusses the demographic make up of La Loche, some of the problems facing its youth, and her personal experiences as a youth councillor. Jolibois highlights problems with a lack of recreation facilities, proper housing, family violence, alcohol and drug abuse, a high rate of teenage pregnancy, welfare dependency and a lack of employment options, and the lack of educational facilities.
File contains a presentation by Michelle Harding, Metis Women of Saskatchewan. Harding welcomes the Commission to La Ronge on behalf of that communities Metis Women's Chapter. Harding lists many of the concerns facing Metis women including child care, education, problems facing Metis youth, family violence, and others. She stresses the need for fully subisidized, accessible daycare. She discusses how the current social system has created a destructive welfare cycle amongst her people, and the need to strengthen families through the creation of a crisis shelter.
File contains a presentation by Miranda Prosper, a grade 6 student from the Wahpeton Reserve School. Prosper discusses changes she would like to see on the Wahpeton Reserve. These include more policing, an alochol ban, more funding for roads, a Dakota language immersion program for young children, a better firehall, and a safer bus stop.
File contains remarks by Morgan McLeod, Metis Youth of Stanley Mission. McLeod discusses his concerns with drug and alcohol abuse, suicide, child abuse and neglect in his community. He relates how the Metis youth have started a youth centre at Stanley Mission to deal with these problems, but need support on the provincial level to help provide information and recreational facilities.
File contains a presentation by Raymond Laliberte, Metis Addictions Council. Raymond discusses his organization which aids all people with addictions regardless of legal status, including Status Indians and Non-Aboriginals. Laliberte discusses the disorganized state of Metis youth, his views on the Canadian Constitution and makes some specific recommendations for facilities to help address some of the social problems afflicting Aboriginal people.
File contains remarks by Stanley McLeod, Metis Youth of Stanley Mission. Stanley remarks that earlier presenter Winston McKay "covered all the issues that I was going to talk about, so I cut out most of the things." McLeod goes on to highlight that the Metis of the north have very limited resources to operate programs with, and asks for more help with recreation facilities and substance abuse.
File contains a presentation by Waldo Berg, Instructor of Northlands College. Berg discusses problems with the adult education system from his perspective as an instructor. Berg higlights four areas: language issues, childcare issues, alcohol issues, and cultural disparity issues. Berg suggests that a vareity of steps be taken to educate southern educators heading to job placements in the north about language and cultural concerns. Berg then discusses the Mennonite people's relation to Aboriginal Canadians and the issues they face.
File contains a presentation made by Edna Daigneault and Sharon Yole on Métis women's issues and the Métis society in general. Also contained are comments and questions from the assembled Commissioners and those of the Commissioner-of-the-Day.
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples - Transcriptions of Public Hearings and Round Table Discussions
Documents & Presentations
Author/Creator
Millie Nelson
Description
File contains a presentation regarding Women's Issues by Millie Nelson. Nelson, a member of the Roseau River Women's Group since 1975, discusses child welfare, prostitution, and family violence issues. Following the presentation the assembled Commissioners discuss the issues raised with Nelson.