File contains the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at the Citadel Inn, Ottawa, Ontario, Wednesday, November 25, 1992. File contains presentations by academics, individuals, and the Honourable Kim Campbell. Each presentation can be viewed individually on this site.
File contains a general discussion on Metis issues by presenters Clem Chartier, Isabelle Impey, Cathy LaValley, Alphonse Janvier, Joyce Racette, Lyle Boland, Commissioners Rene Dussault and Viola Robinson. The topic of discussion is Metis issues in Saskatchewan. Topics covered include Metis rights, economics, self-governance, women and social issues.
File contains an indivdual presentation by Irene Neeposh, a trapper, expressing personal dissatisfaction with government restrictions on Income Security and the use of wood for shelters and campfires. She calls on the Commission to ensure that her way of life on the trapline will not be phased out of existence with more government restrictions.
File contains a presentation by Commission Co-Chair Georges Erasmus during the first public meeting of said Commission. Erasmus spoke about how Chief Thunderchild viewed the need to hold on to Aboriginal land rights, and how this was still important in the nineteen-nineties.
File contains a presentation by Doris Young of the Indigenous Women's Collective regarding Aboriginal women's issues/views in the realm of the justice system, schools, the Indian Act, training and employment, political systems, and self-governance. Young also stresses the need for Aboriginal women's participation in the establishment of a Charter of Rights for Aboriginal People should such legislation be enacted.
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.
File contains a presentation by Jeannette Boivin, Director of the General Council of Atikamekw Women. Boivin delivers a presentation on democracy, self-governance, the need for consultation, decentralization, and enhanced powers for elected represetnatives. Boivin also discusses the importance of establishing an appeal system in the form of a parity system or ombudsman's office, and training and education concerns.
File contains a presentation by Marilyn Fontaine, Spokesperson, Aboriginal Women's Unity Coalition. Fontaine discusses her organizations history, and the issues it deals with including sexism, violence, abuse, lack of political representation, self-government talks, and the environment.
File contains a presentation by Wayne Helgason, Director, Mamawewitchta Tonta Centre. Helgason discusses his organization in Winnipeg and its mandate to provide Aboriginal people with child and family services, as well as some of the issues he has encountered in such a capacity over the years. Following the presentation is a discussion with the Commissioners regarding both his and Marilyn Fontaine's presentations.