Consists of an interview where Clarence Joe speaks of the conversion of the Sechelt Indians to Roman Catholicism and he discusses at various points the industry and initiative of the Sechelt Indians.
RCAP 18 contains files from the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples in Iqaluit, Northwest Territories. This sitting of the Commission contains a variety of presentations such as children's and women's rights, education and Inuit issues. Each presentation can be viewed individually on this site.
RCAP 23 contains files from the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at The Long House, Teslin, Yukon. This sitting of the Commission contains presentations by on a variety of subjects such as land claims and self-government, Inuit health care, and the impact of residential schools. Each submission can be viewed individually on this site.
RCAP 25 contains files from the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at Pangnirtung, Northwest Territories [Nunavut]. This sitting of the Commission contains presentations by on a variety of subjects such as land claims and self-government, Inuit education, employment, pollution, and the arts. Each presentation can be viewed individually on this site.
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples - Transcriptions of Public Hearings and Round Table Discussions
Documents & Presentations
Description
RCAP 27 contains files from the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at Inukjuak, Quebec. This sitting of the Commission contains many individual presentations from members of the community, as well as some by Nunavik officials, and a member of the local Co-op and Grocers Association. Each presentation can be viewed individually on this site.
File contains an individual presentation by Cindy Gilday of Fort Franklin, NWT. She tells the Commission about the 398 unmarked graves in the Deh Cho (formerly a residential school) Hall yard and says that unmarked graves are "a very significant symbol of opporession, the ultimate symbol as far as the Dene are concerned." She states that her father was present at the Treaty signings in 1911 and 1921 and feels the Canadian government has not fulfilled any of the treaties' terms.
File contains an individual presentation by Davidee Arnaqaq, resident of Pangnirtung, expressing frustration with the lack of economic opportunities and employment to support his family. He hopes that the future government of Nunavut will support employment and business programs in his community as there has been little support in the past.
File contains an individual presentation by George Smith, via translator, that focuses on Aboriginal self-government from the perspective of elders. Smith states that elders were consulted in all facets of life pre-contact but with the Canadian government's policies over the years, elder input and influence have been irrelevant. He calls for the government to consult with elders during self-government negotiations. Smith also briefly discusses band relocation, natural resources, and the effects of residential schools. Following the presentation is a discussion with Commissioner Allan Blakeney.
File contains an individual presentation by Jonah Kilabuk, who attended school in Winnipeg to become an interpreter. He states that "I am still not recognized by my own people because I was never taught how to hunt. He hopes that culture-preserving programs will soon be available for younger generations
File contains an individual presentation by Kathleen Nuna focusing on aspects of Innu culture she feels have been lost; fishing, hunting, trapping, folklore and spirituality. She calls on the Commission to provide Innu communities with funding to teach younger generations traditional and survival skills to keep Innu culture alive. Following the presentation are brief remarks by Rene Dussault, Co-Chair.
File contains an individual presentation by Lyla Andrew, a non-Aboriginal woman raised in Toronto and a resident of Sheshatsiu for 15 years. She acknowledged in her an unconscious discrimination toward Innu people and the Innu would be better served if they "would aspire to be more like me." Andrew shares stories of her experience living among the Innu and calls on the Commission to have the Canadian government "recognize the value in their growth and development as a separate and distinct culture." Following the presentation are brief remarks by Rene Dussault, Co-Chair.
File contains an individual presentation by Rosie Joamie, who is an educator and teacher of Inuktitut. Ironically, when Joamie began teaching in the 1970s, she consulted community elders for information on Inuit culture and traditiona because she had not been taught them as a child. Joamie calls for more funding to continue the teaching of Inuit culture. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.
File contains an individual presentation by Roy Moses offering a different perspective on life in the bush in the 1930s and 1940s. He states that the "people who dream about let's go back to our traditional way must have been told a fairy tale somewhere." Moses describes his childhood and believes that progress has been made to better the lives of Aboriginal and Inuit people today. A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.
File contains a brief prayer in Inuit by Co-Chair Rene Dussault, followed by an introduction of Elder Angus Merrick by Phil Fontaine. Angus Merrick, who is ninety years of age, delivers a prayer in his native language, then makes a few comments on youth regarding cultural awareness and linguistic retention.
File contains a presentation by Abe Okpik. Okpik discusses the significance of midwifery to the Inuit people, and on Baffin Island in particular. He also discusses traditional knowledge and its importance in contemporary midwifery. Following the presentation are some comments on it by Commissioners Mary Sillet and Rene Dussault.
File contains a presentation by Annie Napayok on behalf of the Keewatin Legal Aid Society. She discusses justice issues in the Keewatin region, for which she is the only legal aid representative. Among her concerns are culturally insensitive applications of law, a lack of funding, and youth justice concerns. Following the presentation Commissioners Robinson and Blakeney discuss some of these issues with Napayok.
File contains a presentation by Brian Williams focusing on social issues in education. He states that each Aboriginal community must have an economic base that provides adequate training that results in jobs and financial security for its residents. He also believes that each community's land base must be acknowledged by the Canadian and British Columbia governments and calls on the Commission to ensure continuing funding to ensure the preservation of the Gitksan culture and language, and all Aboriginal languages.
File contains a presentation by Bryan Pearson. Pearson discusses problems faced by Inuit communities in the fields of health and education. Pearson also discusses the cultural gap between Inuit and Euro-Canadians and the problems that can cause in implementing social policy. Following this presentation the Commission's sitting for the day is officially ended with a closing prayer.
File contains a presentation by Chief David Keenan, Teslin Tlingit Nation, Yukon. He provides a brief history of the Teslin Tlingit people, discussing the Clan system of government and the negative effects of European contact. Keenan notes that Teslin Tlingit Nation is one of the few Canadian First Nations that have a constitution based not on the Indian Act, but on Teslin Tlingit traditional values. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.
File contains a presentation by Donna Brett, Former Chairperson of British Columbia School District No. 70. Brett is introduced by the preceding presenter, Denny Grisdale. Brett presents an artistic picture to the Nuu-Chah-Nulth Tribal Council "in Recognition of the Growing Co-operation Between the School District and Its People." Following Brett's brief remarks on the symbol of the two organization's relationship, Danny Grisdale briefly discusses some of the contracts between his School District and the Tribal Council.
File contains a presentation by Duncan Awasis, Mark Amy Centre. Awasis gives the first half of his presentation in Cree (English translation is provided in the text) and the second half in English. Awasis stresses the importance of rediscovering the "Indian way" in terms of culture and spirituality to heal the people. Awasis also mentions some of the problems facing the community of Fort McMurrary that he has encountered during his work at the Mark Amy Centre, an alcohol addiction treatment centre.
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples - Transcriptions of Public Hearings and Round Table Discussions
Documents & Presentations
Author/Creator
Eileen Van Bibber
Description
File contains a presentation by Eileen Van Bibber that offers six proposals relating to the Liard First Nation and its residents. They include construction of a building for the creation and sale of crafts, training of band members for equipment operation in the Liard area, and construction of a community hall. Van Bibber calls for funding to achieve these goals. Following the presentation is a lengthy discussion with Commissioners Allan Blakeney and Viola Robinson.
File contains a presentation by Eric Morris describing the negative effects on his community of generations-old social issues and states that his community is now mainly alcohol- and drug-free. He states that the traditional Clan system of government and the tribal justice system in place at Teslin has been working effectively with non-Aboriginal government and justice systems and feels this co-operative effort could be duplicated on every First Nation in Canada. A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.
File contains a presentation by Ethel Blondin, MP, who briefly discusses a multitude of concerns relating to Aboriginal, Metis and Dene peoples. She calls for a national youth conference on issues such as AIDS education, substance abuse and single parent families. Following the presentation is a discussion with the Commissioners.
File contains a presentation by Ethel Lamothe, Social Services worker, Fort Simpson, Northwest Territories. She believes that dealing with Inuit social issues from a European perspective rather than the traditional way has harmed the Inuit people. Lamothe also discusses the need to record oral histories of the elders and to preserve the history of the Dene people. As a territorial government employee, she believes that control of funding should be undertaken by people familiar with northern life, not by bureaucrats. Following the presentation is a discussion with the Commissioners.
File contains a presentation by Evelyn Webster, Vice-President, Indigenous Women's Collective to the Commission. Webster provides a brief historical overview of her organization, and its mandate to address the social, economic, and political issues confronting Aboriginal women in Manitoba. Webster then goes on to discuss the traditional role of women in Aboriginal societies, and traditional Aboriginal values.
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples - Transcriptions of Public Hearings and Round Table Discussions
Documents & Presentations
Description
File contains a presentation by Gary Baikie. Baikie discusses the Torngasok Cultural Centre in Nain, Labrador, and the cultural programming it provides. Included is his account of Inuktitut language courses, and traditional carving courses, and the positive results of such programming in the community.
This file contains a presentation by Gary Baikie focusing on a number of services his organization offers, including Inuktitut interpreter/translator programs, Inuktitut immersion and literacy programs, elders' conferences, arts and crafts funding. Baikie calls on the Commission to help secure increased funding to allow those programs to continue. A question-and-answer period with the Commissioners follows the presentation.
File contains a presentation by Gregory Penashue expressing frustration with his years of "futile activism" on behalf of the Innu people of Labrador. He protests yearly funding cuts for a multitude of programs in Sheshatshiu and other neghboring communities that would keep Innu culture and language from extinction. He calls on the Commission to consider Innu culture and language important enough to preserve through proper funding. Following the presentation are remarks by the Commissioners.
File contains a presentation by Ineaq Korgak, executive assistant for the Baffin Regional Health Board. Korgak discusses many of the social issues facing the Inuit people of Baffin Island, including high mortality rates, low life expectancy, drug abuse, AIDS, alcoholism, gambling, poor nutrition, and a lack of economic opportunities. He also discusses midwifery and makes some suggestions on how these subjects can be addressed in a productive manner. Following the presentation Korgak discusses some of these issues with Commissioner Dussault.
File contains a presentation by Jack Houle that describes the difficulty of opening a business in Edmonton while being an off-reserve resident. Roadblocks for funding come from various Aboriginal organizations and his own First Nations. He calls on the Commission to help him secure funding. A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.
File contains a presentation by Janet Macdonald, a Micmac woman formerly involved with producing the Native Council newspaper in PEI. Macdonald relates the story of her papers demise due to funding cuts, and explains the importance of having independent Aboriginal media in her view. Following the presentation is a brief discussion with the Commissioners on these issues.
File contains a presentation by Jaypeetie Akpallaluk, Mayor, Pangnirtung, Northwest Territories, who begins by comparing the "qallunaaq" (European) way of life and the Inuit way of life and how the two do not work together well. He states that Inuit culture is being lost and that the wisdom and knowledge of elders is not being utilized by younger generations. He hopes that the future government of Nunavut will provide more funding to allow the creation of much-needed cultural, educational and family programs in Pangnirtung.
File contains a presentation by Jim Andersen. Andersen discusses his life in Makkovik and the struggles he has gone through, as well as his great interest in the struggles of Aboriginal people to attain their rightful place in Confederation.
File contains a presentation by Johnny Epoo, Avataq Cultural Institute. Epoo discusses his organization which was founded in 1981 and its relation to both archaeology in the area and the preservation of the Inuit language. Epoo complains of the extraction of northern artifacts to the south, and a lack of funding for basic operations of his organization. Epoo also discusses traditional Inuit medicine and his organizations efforts to catalogue these techniques.
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples - Transcriptions of Public Hearings and Round Table Discussions
Documents & Presentations
Author/Creator
Johnny Inukpuk
Description
File contains a presentation by Johnny Inukpuk. Inukpuk relates some of the history of his Inuit people in the area from the time of Hudson's Bay Company contact, through contact with the police and up into the present era. He highlights as one of his primary concerns the preservation of Inuit culture and language. Commissioner Dussault thanks him for his presentation.
File contains a presentation by Joseph Sagutch. Sagutch discusses his artistic contribution to the Commission in designing its offical logo. Sagutch goes over the cultural significance of the different aspects of the logo in his own view as designer.
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples - Transcriptions of Public Hearings and Round Table Discussions
Documents & Presentations
Author/Creator
Lazaursie Epoo
Description
File contains a presentation by Lazarusie Epoo. Epoo relates some personal experiences related to the history of the community, and the abuse the Inuit people suffered from the police and Euro-Canadian companies operating in the area. Epoo states that when the Inuit people got involved in elections they "stopped being so scared of the white people," and that "If the white people had chosen to work closely with us instead of being so dominant, we wouldn't have been so far apart in the beginning."
File contains a presentation by Leetia James of the Baffin Region Uvik Society. James descibes the history of her organization which was founded in 1984 "to provide and co-ordinate services for women who are living in violent relationships." James discusses the overall social problems she sees within her society such as drug and alcohol abuse, spousal assault and suicide. She also stresses the inability of the Canadian justice and legal system to deal properly with Inuit culture at the local level. Follownig the presentation Commissioner Dussault discusses James' group's shelter with her.
File contains a presentation by Leoni Kappi. He discusses education in a variety of facets including the need for traditional cultural content, a lack of funding, the need for adult education facilities, especially with regard to drop-outs, and the importance of traditional language instruction. Following the presentation Commissioners Robinson and Sillet discuss some of these issues with Kappi.
File contains a presentation by Luzarus Arreak. Arreak asks the Commission for "Inuit to be defined separatley and individually as Inuit." She asks for a seperate definiton in the Constitution and "anywhere else." Arreak relates some of her personal history as a Inuit, as well as much of the history of her people, celebrating how they have "progressed rapidly" in 30 to 40 years, and their accomplishments in the political realm. Arreak also highlights some of the problems they have faced with regards to resource development, and adjustement to new realities while emphasizing a positive future.
The file contains a presentation by Mary Jane Adamson of the Inuvialuit Communications Society. Following a brief introduction from previous presenter Billy Day (also of the Communications Society), Adamson discusses the importance of Aboriginal broadcasting to not only Aboriginal but non-Aboriginal Canadians as an educational and cross-cultural understanding tool; language issues; educational issues; and job training in broadcasting.
File contains a presentation by Mary Jane Litchard, Baleen Artist. Litchard, an Inuit-Comanche woman from Alaska, discusses her experiences in Canada and issues with the international border, her difficulties transporting the Baleen she works on as a medium across boundaries, language issues, midwifery, tuberculosis and other health issues, prejudice, and the value of community counselling and healing services. Following the presentation is a conversation between Litchard and Commissioners Dussault and Sillet on some of the issues raised.
File contains a presentation by Maureen Larkin containing some general impressions on the Commission and the issues it faces. Larkin discusses racism, education, self-government, land claims, and external representations, as well as her hopes for the Commission.
File contains a presentation by Maxine Noel. Noel, a professional artist, discusses the difficulties for female Aboriginal artists, and lauds the Canadian Native Arts Foundation for its endeavours and assistance to artists. Following the presentation are comments by Commissioners Erasmus, Dussault, and Chartrand for Noel. Following this are brief remarks by John Kim Bell on behalf of the Canadian Native Arts Foundation.
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples - Transcriptions of Public Hearings and Round Table Discussions
Documents & Presentations
Author/Creator
Neil Colin
Description
File contains a presentation by Neil Colin. Colin complains about the ignorance of the north he has encountered in southern Canada, including from Conservative federal government officials who did not even know where Yellowknife was. He also discusses his concerns about pollution and its effects on the North which he has witnessed himself. Following the presentation Rene Dussault thanks him for it, and closes the days preceedings.