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 a presentation by Albert Delaire, Regional Director, Metis Society of Saskatchewan. Delaire accuses the Commission of over-representing Status Indian concerns to the detriment of Metis people, to which Commissioner Erasmus responds. Following this is a conversation between Delaire and Commissioners Erasmus and Blakeney on the Commissions mandate, and its efforts to include Metis people.
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.
File contains a presentation by Leon McAuley, Director, Provincial Metis Housing Authority. McAuley describes the problems facing Metis communities in the North, and advocates a new level of government (a Metis local government) to facilitate self-governance, as well as discusing economic development and a land base. Following the presentation a brief discussion on the definition of the Metis people takes place between Commissioner Chartrand and McAuley.
File contains a presentation by Leonard Morin, Regional Representative, Metis Society of Saskatchewan. Morin gives a demographic overview of northern Saskatchewan, relates some of the issues faced by northerners, then gives a beif overview of Metis history. Morin stresses the importance of gaining a Metis land base, and discusses possibilities for Metis self-governance. Morin then speaks on an issue of importance to his home community of Cumberland House, the construction of a traffic bridge connecting the community with the mainland across the river.
File contains a presentation by Mary Wiegers, President, Provincial Metis Women of Saskatchewan. Wiegers highlights her concerns with the notion of Metis self-governance in Saskatchewan. She is highly critical of how Metis institutions have been functioning in the province, and argues that self-governance as things are currently consituted will lead to abuses by the Metis leadership. Wiegers highlights examples of electoral fraud, and undemocratic behaviour within the Saskatchewan Metis organization.
File contains a presentation by Armand Murray of the La Loche Local of the Metis Society of Saskatchewan. Murray discusses the need for recognition of Aboriginal rights on the part of government, land issues, a lack of capital in the community for utilizing resources, a conflict with the provincial government over Clearwater River park, fisheries issues, forestry issues, tourism and guiding, and related issues. Following the presentation Commissioner Dussault discusses some of the issues raised with Murray.
File contains a presentation made by Senator Vital Morin for the Métis Society of Saskatchewan on the topic of the justice system pertaining to native communities. Also contained are comments and questions from the assembled Commissioners and those of the Commissioner-of-the-Day.
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 Nelson Sanderson regarding the need to connect Metis youth and the general public with the history and culture of the Metis people. Following the presentation is a discussion with the Commissioners regarding these issues.
File contains a presentation by Robert Mercredi of the Metis Society of Saskatchewan. Mercredi discusses his organization, and the problems facing his people. He describes the Metis as Canada's forgotten people, and while offering support for the "Canada clause" of the Constitution stresses the need for the Metis to be recognized on an equitable level with their Indian and Inuit brothers and sisters. He bemoans the lack of a land base for the Metis people of Saskatchewan, and the lack of resources neccessary for basic governmental functioning.
File contains remarks by Roy Myke, Jim Brady Metis Local Representative. Myke claims that self-governance has to be established from the bottom-up, at the community level. He states that "if the government ever gets serious about self-government, it has got to start at the bottom and not at the top." Following this Commissioners Erasmus and Chartrand have a brief discussion with Myke regarding self-governance.
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples - Transcriptions of Public Hearings and Round Table Discussions
Documents & Presentations
Author/Creator
Tony Belcourt
Description
File contains a presentation by Tony Belcourt, Constitutional Advisor, Metis National Council. Belcourt adds some remarks to the previous presentation by Marc Leclair, spokesperson for the Metis National Council. Belcourt asks the Commission to act on behalf of Metis peoples to let their history be known to Canadians, and to have them included as equals under the designation of Aboriginal peoples. Belcourt points out that often Metis people have been disregarded and Aboriginal used as a blanket term for First Nations and Inuit people in general parlance.
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples - Transcriptions of Public Hearings and Round Table Discussions
Documents & Presentations
Author/Creator
Winston McKay
Description
File contains remarks by Winston McKay, Metis Addictions Corporation of Saskatchewan. McKay relates some of his own life story and battle with addictions, as well as the larger struggle of northern Metis communities to cope with the destruction of their traditional economy, and transition into dependency on government. McKay discusses how treatment approaches intended for Status Indian and Non-Aboriginal society do not work for his people, and the lack of adequate funding his organization faces.
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples - Transcriptions of Public Hearings and Round Table Discussions
Documents & Presentations
Author/Creator
Edward Head
Description
File contains opening remarks by Senator Edward Head. Head discusses his Metis origins and gives an overview of his family's story from the time it left St. Norbert, Manitoba, to Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, back to northern Manitoba and his home community of Granville Lake.
File contains opening remarks by Vital Morin of Ile A La Crosse, Saskatchewan. Morin discusses his own life including a stint in World War 2, and his actions in helping to organize the Metis Society of Saskatchewan, how the Metis were overlooked by government, hunting rights, and his hope that the Commission will lead to concrete action on behalf of Metis people.
Image depicts Bill Epp's statue of Gabriel Dumont astride a horse. The statue is located in Friendship Park near the Broadway Bridge in Saskatoon. The first image is taken facing toward Spadina Crescent.