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 51 contains files from the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at the Delta Bessborough Hotel, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. This sitting of the Commission contains presentations relating to education, land claims, self-government, racism and discrimination, and Metis and women's issues. Each presentation can be viewed individually on this site.
File contains an individual presentation by Alain Vachon relating to Aboriginal people in the construction industry and the problems they encounter. He states that in his experience, Aboriginals may be passed over for a project in their own community and non-Aboriginal workers may only be hired. He also expresses frustration with earning a lower wage than a non-Aboriginal worker may earn, and says that female construction workers also face discrimination. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.
File contains an individual presentation by Alice Sabourin who is completing her Master's degree in social work. She relates problems she has experienced with discrimination within the educational community, both as an Aboriginal person and as a woman. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.
File contains an individual presentation by Beatrice Watts focusing primarily on education. She provides a brief history of the Inuit in Labrador and relocation efforts in the 1950s and 1960s. In 1977 the first Inuit education conference was held, which laid the groundwork for the teaching of Inuktitut and cultural programs in schools. Watts also briefly discusses the Inuit radio station at Main, Labrador and a 1978 conference sponsored by Inuit women held in Labrador. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.
File contains an individual presentation by John Hart relating to existing affirmative action programs, particularly the Saskatchewan program and the federal program. The goal of affirmative action is to bring Aboriginal people into the workforce equivalent to the numbers in the total population. Hart concludes his presentation by saying affirmative action in Saskatchewan and Canada is not working and calls on the Commission to help make employers aware of it. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.
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 Nellie Carlson, founder of the Aboriginal women's group 'Indian Rights for Indian Women' in the early 1970s. She reads a letter from 30 April 1992 that was sent to Prime Minister Brian Mulroney outlining concerns with land claims and discrimination relating to Aboriginal women, and with the overall negative effects of Bill C-31 on Aboriginal women. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.
File contains an individual presentation by Rodney Louie, who comes from the Lillooet, British Columbia area where a tribal police force is being formed. He sees policing of Aboriginal communities as being more productive and proactive when done by tribal police, rather than having the RCMP "reacting, then dealing with something after it has happened." Following the presentation is a discussion with Louie and past presenters Leonie Rivers, Robert Michel and Jill Harris and the Commissioners.
File contains a presentation by Roy Louis that initially states that the Commission lacks a Treaty Commissioner so he is already skeptical of the findings of the Commission. His presentation covers a number of issues such as joint ventures and economic development, tourism, forestry, agriculture, and racism. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with Commissioner Allan Blakeney.
File contains remarks and a presentation by Norman Evans, President, Pacific Metis Federation. Evans discusses Aboriginal history pre-contact and how the Metis became "Canada's forgotten people." He shares his frustration in dealing with the Canadian government and as a veteran of many Aboriginal organizations, he hopes this Royal Commission will fulfill its mandate to help make the lives of Aboriginals better. Following the presentation is a discussion with the Commissioners.
File contains a presentation by Aboriginal Students from Algonquin College. The students voice a variety of concerns related to education, race relations, grass roots politics, cultural revival, the justice system, history curricula, drug and alcohol abuse, health service facilities, and assimilation. Following the presentation the assembled Commissioners discuss the students concerns with them.
File contains a presentation by Alicia Vance, Jody Sydney, Kathy Alfred of the First Nations Management Program, Yukon College. Vance discusses improving leadership and unity in Aboriginal communities. Sydney discusses traditional culture and how the clan system is being used in Teslin, Yukon. Alfred discusses how education and programs can help solve social problems in Aboriginal communities. The assembled Commissioners discuss the ideas raised with the presenters.
File contains a presentation by Alma Brooks, a Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet) woman. Brooks relates her life journey and involvement with both politics and the community at large in helping to heal her people's problems. She states that self-governance is an impossibility until her people are healed. Following her presentation is a discussion between her and Commissioners Dussault and Sillet on healing and politics respectively.
File contains a presentation by Anatasia Wheesk, Bertha Metatawabin and Esther Wesley focusing on the four major ongoing programs provided by the Centre, relating to Native languages and education, a library resource centre and media production. The presenters call on the Commission to help acquire continued funding to hire more staff to cover the 181 communities their organization serves. A lengthy question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.
File contains a presentation by Barbara Russell, and Cheryl Mullens from Skookum Jim Campus. Russell discusses how and why she thinks the school system needs to be changed in the Yukon. Amongst the concerns she lists are racism and discrimination, the need for Aboriginal faculty, and the need for listening on the part of teachers to Aboriginal students. Mullens discusses the need to make the schools equal in terms of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal curriculum in fields such as history, the need for learning at ones own pace, and the need for more programs for pregnant teenagers.
File contains a presentation made by Bill Curry on the topic of health care in Northern Saskatchewan. Also contained are comments and questions of the assembled Commissioners. As well as the mention of the closing prayer.
File contains a presentation by Boyce Richardson, Author. Richardson discusses his own work with and among Aboriginal people over the preceding forty years, and the views he has developed in the process. Richardson specifically discusses his experiences with the Algonquin people of Barrier Lake, Quebec, as well as across the country and makes a recommendation to the Commission that it tell Canadians that "these days are over.
File contains a presentation by Brian Cook. Cook discusses the need to incorporate Aboriginal history into school curriculums, the importance of having a land base, the Indian Act, the lack of an economic base for the reserve system, and problems with the justice system. Much of Cook's presentation deals with systemic racism. Following the presentation is a discussion between Cook and the Commissioners on the issues he has raised.
File contains a presentation by Bud White Eye and Daniel Smoke of the Native News Network. White Eye discusses his organization, the state of Aboriginal news media in Canada, problems with misrepresentation and ignorance of Aboriginal peoples and issues in the mainstream media, and some suggestions to improve the situation. Smoke gives a brief structural overview of the Native News Network. Following the presentation Commissioners Sillet, Blakeney, and Wilson discuss some of these issues with the presenters.
File contains a presentation by Catherine MacQuarrie. She is executive director of Native Communications in the western Northwest Territories, presents as an individual and discusses Native Communications and media issues. MacQuarrie also discusses self-governance, justice, languages, and related issues. Following the presentation the assembled Commissioners discuss some of the issues raised with MacQuarrie.
File contains a presentation by Cheryl Ogram and Cal Albright relating to the Aboriginal Relations Subcommittee, part of the Race Relations Committee. A number of recommendations are offered, including policies and programs affecting Aboriginal people be reviewed for systemic racism as well as cultural sensitivity and appropriateness, after consultation with Aboriginal people. Also recommended is all municipalities consulting with the Aboriginal community on any new policies that affect the community. 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
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.
File contains a presentation by Gilbert Anderson that describes the people of his First Nations as being "a little island by outselves." Anderson describes the events leading to the formation of the reserve and 1958, its surrender. Anderson states that descendants of the original Michel Band still select leaders and maintain social ties, and the Band's goal now is to secure a land base. A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.
File contains a presentation by Chief James Henderson and Steve Fobister relating to the negative effects of the Rainy Lake dam in Ontario, built between 1905 and 1909. Their First Nations fishing and hunting grounds were destroyed by flooding and they believe that proper compensation has never been given to their First Nations. The presenters also address the complete absence of telephone service on their First Nations, and call on the Commission to assist in negotiations with Bell Canada. Following the presentation is a brief 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.
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 Commission Co-Chair Rene Dussault during the first public meeting of said Commission. Dussault discusses the importance of discussion, and listening in the Commission process. “We know that many Aboriginal people are tired of being studied by others. They want to speak directly to us, and we want to hear from them. We want to hear their views of history and of what the future could or should hold for them. Similarly, we want to hear from the non-Aboriginal Canadians, who have not only a right, but an obligation to participate in this debate.
File contains a presentation by Colleen Wassegijig and Simon Paul. Wassegijig discusses the history of Aboriginal peoples in Canada with respect to formal education systems, and some of the problems that has created which now must be overcome. Simon Paul, a Dene man originally from Northern Saskatchewan, discusses Aboriginal education programs in Scarborough, Ontario for First Nations and Métis residents.
File contains a presentation by Diane Schribe-MacPherson, relating the apathy of Aboriginal students towards improving campus life and the lack of co-operation between the Students Union and the BU Native Organization. She also deals with several issues personally affecting her life as a post-secondary student. A discussion with the Commissioners follows the three Brandon University presentations.
File contains a presentation by Doreen Pichette and Bernice Archibald. The presenters are Aboriginal court workers affiliated with the Friendship Centre.
File contains a presentation by by Earl Campbell, Joe Baptiste, and Amanda Gail Daniels, Anishnaabe Owayishi. Campbell discusses their organization Anishnaabe Oway-Ishi Inc. (based in Winnipeg, MB) which he describes as "a pre-training program for employment and training opportunities program for Aboriginal youth." Amanda Gail Daniels speaks about racism, employment equity, and the welfare system. Joe Baptiste discusses the government and economics as they pertain to Aboriginal people in Canada.
File contains a presentation by Eric Robinson, President of the Aboriginal Council of Winnipeg. Robinson discusses his organizations purpose, and mainly focuses on the problems facing the urban Status and Treaty people in Winnipeg, and across Canada. He stresses the need for the Federal government to take action on behalf of Treaty people who live off reserve to alleviate poverty, discrimination, and lack of access to services. Following the presentation, Robinson introduces Mary Guilbeault's (also fo the Aboriginal Council of Winnipeg) presentation.
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.
This file contains a presentation by Fran Williams that begins with a brief history of the Native communication organization. Williams states that "Native broadcasting is essential for the preservation of our language and culture." She recommends that Inuktitut and other major Aboriginal languages should receive recognition in the Broadcast Act as official languages. Williams calls on the Commission to ensure funding continues for this important organization that actively works to keep the Inuktitut language from extinction.
File contains a presentation by Gaby Bird. Bird is a representative of the Mushekegowuk Student Services organization. Bird discusses treaty and educational concerns. Bird sees it as fundamental that non-Aboriginal society be educated in Aboriginal history and culture from an early age to bridge the gaps of ignorance between the two peoples. Following the presentation is a discussion between Commissioners Erasmus and Robinson with Beck and preceding presenter Hunter on their educational programs.
File contains a presentation by Garry Standing, a post-secondary student from the Wahpeton Dakota Nation. Standing describes himself as someone who has spent his entire life on reserve until the September before the Commission. The purpose of his presentation is to relay his "experiences from the last eight or nine months. Some of them have been positive and some of them have been negative." He discusses attending the University of Regina, but having to withdraw due to financing changes in Indian Affairs policy. He complains of paternalism and condescension in the approach of Indian Affairs.
File contains a presentation by Georgette Djan-Drapper, the Saskatchewan representative of the organization, focusing on racism in Canada, retention of Black identity, language and culture, and better treatment from the criminal justice system. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.
File contains a presentation by Irene Personius. Personius discusses issues related to education, and how the school system has impacted her own family. Following the presentation are some brief comments from Commissioner Blakeney, followed by Mr. Nathan McGillivary initiating closing prayers by a community elder, and the adjournment of the day's proceedings.
File contains a presentation by James Murray that recommends that post-secondary institutions strike a task force on curricula to critically examine criteria of all courses, as there is no guarantee there would be any Aboriginal content taught at Brandon University. Murray states that lack of education "fosters ignorance of non-Aboriginal people toward Aboriginal people...which re-enforces racism."
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 Jerry Taylor relating to concerns of the African-Canadian community in Nova Scotia and the comparisons between that group and the Aboriginal peoples in Canada in "battling the ravages of racism." A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation, along with remarks by Valerie Firth, a previous speaker.
File contains a presentation by Jim Campbell, resident of Saturna Island, British Columbia. He states that despite the best intentions of government, "Many times in the past the individual has been disregarded" when laws are made. Campbell believes that "[F]reedom of the individual in a civil society...to realize his or her full potential is a worth object for all of us." He believes the Canadian government has obligations to Aboriginal peoples and until they are met, the potential of further conflict will remain.
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples - Transcriptions of Public Hearings and Round Table Discussions
Documents & Presentations
Author/Creator
Joe Blyan
Description
File contains a presentation by Joe Blyan stating that the Commission that all different status groups must meet and determine their courses of action. Blyan says a common vision is necessary when dealing with Aboriginal and Metis groups. Following the presentation are remarks by the Commissioners.
File contains a presentation by Joe Ohokannoak that covers a number of subjects, including no high school courses past Grade 10 in the Cambridge Bay area, potential employment with the expected construction of a new mine, a lack of radio broadcasting facilities, and health issues. A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.
File contains an individual presentation by John Constant detailing the loss of Aboriginal culture and how "the white man took advantage of our God fearing nature of welcming people into our fold." He relates a number of stories of how Aboriginal people are lacking the "spirituality, respect, honesty, and leadership" that was common pre-contact. Following the presentation is a discussion with the Commissioners.
File contains a presentation by John Elliot, Saanich Tribal School. He reiterates what a previous speaker, Earl Claxton, said about the disappearance of the Saanich language. He hopes that the Commission recommends continuing funding of a two-year program that teaches the Saanich language and culture. Following the presentation is a discussion with the Commissioners.