Dialogue of 120 community leaders identified shared principles and approaches to support injustices in Canadian society.
Speaker discusses the "real" history of Canada including residential schools and the head tax.
Duration: 12:00.
First Peoples Child & Family Review, vol. 10, no. 2, Special Edition: 10th Anniversary of the Reconciliation: Touchstones of Hope for Indigenous Children, 2015, pp. [12]-14
Description
Message from the Commissioner of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.
Speech by Phil Fontaine, National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, at the launch of the Remembering the Children: Aboriginal and Church Leaders Tour.
Presents examples of how reconciliation can be enacted in everyday life and talks about the National Center for Truth and Reconciliation, Project of Heart and the film Students in the Classroom.
Duration: 41:56.
[Canadian Political Science Association Annual Conference; 83rd, 2011]
Documents & Presentations
Author/Creator
Michelle Honkanen
Description
Argues that Canada must begin to develop trusting, long-term and collaborative relationships with Indigenous people in the spirit of the treaties in order for reconciliation to take place.
The file contains an open forum presentation by Art Solomon. Solomon discusses his views on residential schools, colonialism, the role of Aboriginal societies as teachers, the imposition of patriarchy by Churches, and the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples.
The file contains an opening prayer and opening remarks for the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at Cedar Bough Cleansing, Vancouver, British Columbia, on Wednesday, June 2, 1993. Following an opening prayer, moderator for the day Darlene Kelly discusses the "traditional Native family life cycle," and the impact that residential schools have had on it, which will be the theme for the day's presentations.
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples - Transcriptions of Public Hearings and Round Table Discussions
Documents & Presentations
Description
RCAP 15 contains files from the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at Esquimalt Reserve Longhouse, British Columbia. This sitting of the Commission contains a variety of presentations related to various issues such as residential schools, the Indian Act, self-government, youth athletics, education and economic development. Each presentation can be viewed individually on this site.
RCAP 20 contains files from the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at Deh Cho Hall, Fort Simpson, Northwest Territories. This sitting of the Commission contains presentations on a variety of subjects such as children's and women's rights, residential schools, Inuit issues and the future formation of Nunavut. Each submission 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.
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples - Transcriptions of Public Hearings and Round Table Discussions
Documents & Presentations
Author/Creator
Rene Dussault
Mary Sillett
Dominic Eshkakogan
Mary Lou Fox
Corbiere.
Description
The file contains a discussion between Commissioners Rene Dussault, Mary Sillett, and Elders Dominic Eshkakogan, Mary Lou Fox, and Rita Corbiere. Issues covered in the discussion include language issues, the Chartered Lands Act, traditional healing, and diabetes. The discussion is in response to the earlier presentations during this sitting of the Commission by these three Elders. The three Elders' presentations are available for viewing on this site.
The file contains a general discussion on Women's Issues and a closing prayer. Commissioner Viola Robinson comments on some of the day's discussion paper presentations and engages in discussion with the presenters on issues raised, and general Aboriginal women's issues in Canada. Following the discussion period is a closing prayer to convene the day's sitting of the Royal Commission.
File contains an individual presentation by Ann Bayne that first provides a history of the Kaska First Nations and the Liard Indian Band. Bayne describes her Band's struggle with a referendum addressing a hereditary system or elected system in determining the position of Chief. She believes that residents should have a choice in determining their leadership. Bayne also discusses abolishing the Indian Act, the need for personal development programs and calls for more treatment centres for substance abuse. Following the presentation is a discussion with Commissioner Allan Blakeney.
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.
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples - Transcriptions of Public Hearings and Round Table Discussions
Documents & Presentations
Description
File contains an individual presentation by Mary Lou Iahtail, teacher at Moosonee Public School in Moosonee, Ontario. She describes her experiences at the Fort Albany Residential School in Ontario where she learned to read and write in Cree. Iahtail states that a Cree immersion program is needed at her school and calls for the Commission to fund Cree immersion programs so the Cree language does not disappear.
File contains an individual presentation by Mavis Gillie focusing on "the idea of a moral and spiritual dimension to the right of Aboriginal peoples to be distinct peoples, to have an adequate land base and to be self-governing." Gillie works within the Anglican Church of Canada and describes her frustration with politicians who are unfamiliar with Aboriginal issues.
File contains a presentation by Andy Poonae. Poonae discusses some of his personal life experiences with relation to issues facing Aboriginal peoples. Amongst these experiences he describes growing up without knowledge of his own people's cultural traditions, attending a Conference of residential school survivors, and being present at the side of the Mohawks at the Oka standoff.
File contains an individual presentation by Barbara Becker describing the effects of residential schools, Bill C-31 and discrimination against Aboriginal women have had on her family. She urges Canadian non-Aboriginals to understand their history because without that background, she feels that understanding Aboriginal history is impossible. Becker suggests having Commissioner Viola Robinson lead a closed hearing for Aboriginal women to present their concerns and ideas. Following the presentation is a discussion with the Commissioners.
File contains a presntation by Carol Gauthier relating to post-secondary education. She calls for more funding for Aboriginal post-education and in particular, for more comprehensive graduate studies. Gauthier briefly discusses the "Indian residential school syndrome" and also calls for funding and resources to 'complete the healing process in overcoming the devastating effects this syndrome has had within our community." Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.
File contains a presentation by Chief Charlie Cootes, Uchucklesaht Residential Schools. Cootes relates the often painful history of the Nuu-Chah-Nulth's experience with residential schools, and its legacy on their communities.
File contains a presentation by Chief Councillor, Kelly Dennis, Ohiaht Child Protection. Kelly discusses the traditional cultural approach of the Nuu-Chah-Nulth people to childcare, the breakdown of the traditional process during colonization, the impact of the residential school system, the need for self-governance, social programs in place and who administers them, and what can be improved in Mr. Dennis' view.
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples - Transcriptions of Public Hearings and Round Table Discussions
Documents & Presentations
Author/Creator
Darrell Boissonea
Description
File contains a presentation by Chief Darrell Boissoneau that focuses on treaty violations and particularly on the Indian Act. He calls on the Commission to help begin the healing and to ensure funding for the essential programs that are necessary to help Aboriginal people reclaim their culture. 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
Description
File contains a presentation by Chief Edmond Metatawabin describing the arrival of missionaries in the James Bay and the missions and residential schools that were constructed. He describes the St. Anne's Residential School Reunion and Conference in August 1992 as the beginning of healing for those former students in attendance. He urges the Commission to look at the findings of the Conference and to help address the healing of the survivors in his community and throughout Canada. A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.
This file consists of a presentation by Chief Gordon Peters focusing primarily on the land claims process and negotiating with the Ontario provincial government, and the Charlottetown Accord. Peters also discusses the negative effects of residential schools upon Aboriginal people and the efforts being made to assist abuse survivors. A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples - Transcriptions of Public Hearings and Round Table Discussions
Documents & Presentations
Author/Creator
Dominic Eshkakogan
Description
The file contains a presentation by Dominic Eshkakogan. Eshkakogan, an Elder from the Sagamok Anishnawbek First Nation, discusses the legacy of residential schools, the need for spiritual healing, the impact of diabetes on Aboriginal people, language issues, problems getting funding to community level programs. Eshkakogan references the personal impact these issues have had on him as a First Nations politician, residential school survivor, and someone dying of diabetes-related illnesses.
File contains a presentation by Edward Morin of the Enoch Cree Nation. Morin describes his life experiences as a Status Indian in Alberta, including residential schooling, relations with government officials, discrimination in the justice system, and other problems. Morin also offers up his own views on the Constitution and the need to provide people with economic opportunity in Canada, both Aboriginal and non.
The file contains a presentation by Evelyn Ballantyne. Ballantyne discusses Bill C-31 and its effects on the lives of Aboriginal women in Manitoba with reference to housing, discrimination, lack of consultation of women on major political decisions, and the Charlottetown Accord referendum. Edith Young discusses women's and general Aboriginal issues including loss of culture and language, violence and residential schooling, family violence, the need for financial aid, the need for healing lodges, alcoholism, and political corruption at the band level.
The file contains presentations by Ron Zong, Gail Watson, and Jerry McNeil, of the Manitoba Association of School Trustees. The presenters discuss their philosophy of education, the struggle for Aboriginal rights, the need for Aboriginal perspectives and local control over education, building trust between communities, the legacy of residential schools in Canada, and related issues. Following the presentation the assembled Commissioners discuss some of the issues raised with the presenters.
File contains a presentation by Gary Patsey focusing on self-government of Gitanmaax based on the Gitksan governmental system. He provides a brief history of the ancient village of Gitanmaax and calls on the Commission to assist on the repealing of Section 74 of the Indian Act. Patsey also briefly discusses housing, unemployment and the negative effects of residential schools upon the Gitanmaax population. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.
The file contains a presentation by Joe Michel, Keewatin Tribal Council. Michel discusses the mandate and "seriousness" of the Commission with Commissioner Wilson. Michel then discusses self-governance issues with Commissioner Wilson, and the dysfunctionality of past studies in helping Aboriginal people. Michel also discusses issues of government policy with Commissioner Chartrand.
File contains a presentation by John Joe Sark, Captain of the Micmac Grand Council. Sark discusses the need to tell Aboriginal history, particularly the positive side, in schools in New Brunswick. He also discusses the Micmac's struggle to hold onto their culture through generations of assimilative pressures. Following Sark's presentation is a discussion with the Commissioners.
File contains a presentation by Lily Sutherland focusing on child and family welfare issues. Sutherland discusses the need for more training of public health officers on First Nations and for workshops on parenting and substance abuse prevention. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.
File contains a presentation by Marvin Sampson focusing on the social problems caused by residential schools, forms of abuse, and alcohol and drug abuse. Sampson states the programs in place in his community are under-funded and under-staffed, resulting in broken families and individuals. He states that self-government is ineffective if Aboriginal people are unable to recover from negative events in their past. Following the presentation is a brief question-and-answer session with Georges Erasmus, Co-Chair.
File contains a presentation by Mary Simon, Melva George, Christine Keechago and Amanda Blackbird. The presenters discuss education concerns in their Ojibwa and Oneida communities, particularly with regard to Aboriginal language curricula.
File contains a presentation by Matt Vickers focusing on the impact of the imposed political, educational, social and religious systems on North American Aboriginal peoples. He lists statistics for offences committed in the Kispiox area and calls on the Commission to ensure that "immediate steps are taken to ensure that documented cases of dysfunctional relations that are mostly a result of the residential school systems receive immediate assistance regarding their recovery process. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.
File contains a presentation by Paul Gull expressing frustration with the lack of funding for Waswanipi School and its programs. Gull calls upon the Commmission to ensure that programs such as the elder-student mentor program, Cree immersion and residential school survivor support groups continue. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners and a previous speaker, Peter Gull.
File contains a presentation by Charlie Thompson, President of hte Port Alberni Friendship Centre. Thompson tells the history of his people, the problems caused by colonialism and the government's approach, his personal experience with residential schools, some issues of self-governance, and the story of his particular Friendship Centre. Following the presentation is a discussion between Thompson and Commissioners Erasmus and Robinson on the challenges facing urban Aboriginals.
The file contains a presentation by Wes Whetung and Sanford Cottrelle of Newberry House (a halfway house). Whetung and Cottrelle discuss the prison system and Aboriginal offenders offering a comparative view of Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal halfway houses, compensation for former residential school residents, accessible moneys to implement both cultural and non-cultural programs for children and youth, and stereotypes of Aboriginal people in text-books. Commissioners Dussault and Sillett discuss some of the issues raised with the two presenters.
The file contains a presentation on behalf of Secwepemc re Social Development by Charlene Belleau, Ralph Phillips, and Bob Manuel. The presenters discuss social development as a necessary precondition of land claims and self-governance. They discuss the need to address the social damages inflicted by residential schools and foster homes, dealing with drug and alcohol abuse. Commissioner Sillett discusses some of the issues raised with the presenters.
File contains a presentation by the Regional Council on Education and Culture by Therese Niquay, and Genevieve Neashit. Niquay presents on education, culture, and linguistic concerns amongst the Attikamek. Genevieve Neashit presents on the steps the Attikamek have taken with regards to educational control. Neashit also requests additional assistance from federal, provincial and Aboriginal governments. Charles Coucou also gives some observations on education, residential schools, and the importance of spirituality.
File contains a presentation by Violet Monday, Wife of the Chief Councillor of the Ucluelet First Nation for Health Affairs. Monday reads a presentation compiled by the First Nations' family care worker and health worker for the Commission.