Covers historical bases for current issues, philosophies which form foundations of culture and development, and implementation of action plans for social change.
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples - Transcriptions of Public Hearings and Round Table Discussions
Documents & Presentations
Author/Creator
Alex Christmas
Description
File contains a presentation by Alex Christmas, President of the Union of Nova Scotia Indians. Christmas discusses federal Indian policy, the Constitution, and the need for Aboriginal self-government. Following the presentation is a discussion between Christmas and Commissioner George Erasmus regarding the self-governance for the Micmac people.
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 Greg Newley of Fort Liard, NWT. His focus is on Aboriginal and government relations, in particular issues which affect the Dene of the Northwest Territories. Commissioner Allan Blakeney invites Newley to submit a brief when the Commission visits the area again, as the Commission will be looking for solution-oriented presentation when they return.
File contains an individual presentation by Peter Kelly that touches on a number of subjects that include the influence of elders, the drum and its meaning, legends and oral history, the Charlottetown Accord and the Indian Act. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.
File contains a presentation by Barbara Johnson, a Micmac person from Hants County, Nova Scotia. Johnson discusses a wide variety of issues including Micmac identity, the Indian Act, Aboriginal women's issues, drugs, mobility rights, traditional lifestyles, and Education. Following the presentation is a discussion with the Commissioners on issues covered.
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 Clifton (Francis) Simon, resident of Big Cove, New Brunswick. Simon touches on a number of areas of concern for him: self-government, economic development, discrimination against Aboriginal women, justice and education. Following the presentation is a discussion with the Commissioners.
File contains a presentation by Jeremiah McKay and Abe Kakepitum of the Keewaytinook Okimakanak/Northern Chiefs Council. McKay introduces Kakepitum who delivers an address on environmental concerns, traditional resource use, self-governance concerns, Treaty agreements, problems with federal and provincial policies, the Charlottetown referendum, health care concerns, and language issues. McKay then concludes the presentation by discussing the organization's written submission, and thanking the Commission.
File contains a presentation by Chief Jean-Guy Whiteduck of the Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg Council. Whiteduck discusses a variety of issues concerns, foremost of which are land and land claims. Whiteduck also discusses hunting and fishing rights, past exploitation of resources, Bill C-31, education (including post-secondary) concerns, language loss and assimilation, health services, and justice issues (including courts, Native courts, and policing). Following the presentation Whiteduck discusses some of these issues with the assembled Commissioners.
File contains a presentation by Crisis Intervention Officer Marie Francis of the Micmac Native Friendship Centre (Halifax, NS). Francis discusses the financial difficulties faced by the Status Indian population in Canada who lives off reserve, and states that Bands often do not live up to their fiduciary obligations to off-reserve people.
File contains a presentation by Tom Sampson, Doug Campbell, and Bob Gillen. Sampson introduces Doug Campbell and Bob Gillen. Campbell gives a conceptual framework for the work their group has done on south Vancouver Island, discussing his work in judicial education with the Western Judicial Education Centre. Campbell discusses the need to form personal relationships and trust in reforming the justice system, and some traditional Salish concepts.
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples - Transcriptions of Public Hearings and Round Table Discussions
Documents & Presentations
Author/Creator
Winona Fontaine
Description
File contains a presentation by Winona Fontaine, Student, Sagkeeng High School. Fontaine presents on the Indian Act, why she views it as "dehumanizing and patronizing" and how she thinks it should be replaced with a piece of legislation that it becomes "a document that will protect Indian land and ensure civil, human, treaty and Aboriginal rights." Following her presentation Moderator Gerald Courchene thanks Fontaine and the two preceding student presenters for sharing their thoughts.
File contains a presentation by President Jean-Guy Roch and Serge Gagne of la Federation des policiers du Quebec. Roch and Gagne discuss the viewpoints of their organization which represents municipal police across Quebec, with the exception of Montreal. They deliver a presentation on policing Aboriginal people and Aboriginal communities, the need for increased understanding of Aboriginal cultural and legal issues, and related matters related to law enforcement. Following the presentation is a discussion between the representatives and the assembled Commissioners on law enforcement issues.
File contains opening remarks by Samaria Reynolds of The Pas, Manitoba. She touches on a variety of issues including education accessibility, medical care for northerners, her own disability and the issues that has raised for her, issues arising with her reinstatement under Bill C31 (which gave many Aboriginal women back their Status under the Indian Act), her children and grandchildren and the experiences they've faced, the problem of youth suicide, and the importance of learning from Elders.
6 Part video series outlines the history of the residential school system and how it personally affected generations of First Nations people.
Features the voices of many former school residents and their families, including Elijah Harper, Art Solomon, Shirley Cheechoo and the songs of Maria Linklater.
Duration: 51:00.
Click "play all" to see all six videos or click each part separately.
Manitoba Law Journal, vol. 21, no. 3, 1991-1992, pp. [476]-497
Description
Argues that the Federal government failed to live up to its obligations and used a narrow interpretation, which worked to its advantage, based on the written document, as opposed to the actual intent of those who signed the treaties but could not read them to ensure their best interests were being served.