File contains a panel discussion of previous presenters from the day's sitting and audience participants on Aboriginal justice issues in Canada. Following this is a closing prayer and the adjournment of the day's proceedings.
File contains the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at the Citadel Inn, Ottawa, Ontario, Thursday, November 26, 1992. File contains the opening prayer and opening remarks for the day's sitting which involves a round table discussion panel on justice issues.
File contains the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at the Citadel Inn, Ottawa, Ontario, Thursday, November 26, 1992. File contains day two of the Commission's round table on justice issues with a wide array of participants. For detailed information see table of participants. Each presentation can be viewed individually on this site.
File contains opening prayers and opening remarks by Murray Sinclair, and Commissioner Bertha Wilson for the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at the Citadel Inn, Ottawa, Ontario, Friday, November 27, 1992.
File contains the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at the Citadel Inn, Ottawa, Ontario. File contains Day Three of the Commission's round table on justice issues with a wide array of participants. For detailed information see table of participants. Each presentation can be viewed individually on this site.
File contains a Raporteur's report on the preceding three volumes of the Royal Commission. Dean James MacPherson summarizes the themes and offers analysis on RCAP77, RCAP78, and RCAP79, all of which deal with Aboriginal Justice issues in Canada. Following his report are closing comments and a closing prayer which ends the Commission's sitting.
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 a presentation by Chief David Keenan of the Teslin Tlingit Council. Keenan discusses the differences but also the commonalities in values between Aboriginal people and other Canadians. Keenan also discusses the Canadian justice system, over representation in prisons, the need for more resources toward prevention rather than corrections, initiatives his people have taken in the Yukon, and other justice related matters.
File contains a presentation by Chief Kowaintco Shackelly, Nooaitch Indian Band. Shackelly discusses the Charlottetown Accord, its package dealing with Aboriginal issues, its defeat by referendum, self-governance, language concerns, women's issues (including Bill C-31), and a variety of health concerns especially the need for more Aboriginal health practitioners and participation in the system. Following her presentation Commissioners Dussault, Chartrand and Chief Don Moses, engage Shackelly in a conversation about some of the issues highlighted.
File contains a presentation by Corinne Chappell, a Micmac woman. Chappell describes the effect of Bill C-31 on Aboriginal people who have married outside their community, and argues that all succeeding generations should retain their status. Following the presentation is a discussion with the Commissioners on this issue.
File contains a presentation by Gordon McGregor, Chief of Police, Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg Council. McGregor discusses policing within the community and the initiatives that have been taken, as well as juridictional and cultural issues. Following McGregor's presentation he discusses some of the issues raised with Commissioners Blakeney, Robinson, and Dussault.
File contains a detailed presentation by Herb George focusing on Aboriginal rights and title. He discusses the effects of the McKinnon-McBride Commission of 1913-1915 and provides legal decisions that favor the Gitksan-Wet'suwet'en people in their present-day quest for self-government. Following the presentation is a lengthy question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.
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 Leonard Mandamin. He discusses the nature of the justice system in Canada, the cultural diversity of Aboriginal peoples, and the problems with the term "system," the history of European legal systems relationship with Aboriginal justice, and discusses various models used in the United States, Australia, Canada, and closes by stating that "it is not a question of a unified system or of separate Aboriginal systems...It is a matter of recognizing existing authority and human rights."
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples - Transcriptions of Public Hearings and Round Table Discussions
Documents & Presentations
Author/Creator
Merilda St-Onge
Description
File contains a presentation by Merilda St-Onge, representative of the women of the Montagnais Nation. St-Onge discusses the legal issues pertaining to women's status in the Indian Act, and Bill C-31, as well as the issues she has personally faced as a reinstated individual under that legislation. St-Onge also discusses Montagnais women's economic and political issues in a more general sense, paternity issues, and other related matters. Following the presentation St-Onge discusses these issues with Commissioners Dussault, Wilson, and Chartrand.
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 Patsy Bernard of the Abegweit band. Bernard discusses her problems with the Chief of her band, and accusses him of anti-democratic and authoritarian practices. Bernard also discusses the need for increased cultural knowledge and awareness to be implemented before self-government.
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples - Transcriptions of Public Hearings and Round Table Discussions
Documents & Presentations
Author/Creator
Harry McDougal
Edward Kistabish
Description
File contains a presentation by the Abitibiwinni Band (Pikogan), Chief Harry McDougal and Edward Kistabish. The Band representatives discuss their land claim, and their unique position as the only Algonquin band in the area who are signatories to Treaty 9. In addition to this they discuss how some members of their communities are subject to the James Bay agreement, which makes for a complex legal situation for their people. Following the presentation the two presenters discuss some of these issues with the assembled Commissioners.
File contains a presentation by the Gaming Commission by Councillor Ed Hayden in charge of Economic Development and Gaming, Carl Roberts, and General Manager Ernie James of the Gaming Commission. The three presenters discuss relations with the province, gaming developments on the First Nation, Treaty rights, self government, self determination, economic and jurisdictional concerns. Following the presentation the assembled Commissioners discuss some of the issues raised with the presenters.
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples - Transcriptions of Public Hearings and Round Table Discussions
Documents & Presentations
Author/Creator
Winona Diabo
Joyce K. Mitchell
Description
File contains presentations by Winona Diabo and Joyce K. Mitchell of the Kanawahke Court System. Diabo describes how her community has had its own court system functioning for twelve years without government funding. She outlines a list of priorities and requests for assistance from the Commission, as well as giving an overview of how the justice system functions at Kanawahke with respect to both policing and judicial processes.
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples - Transcriptions of Public Hearings and Round Table Discussions
Documents & Presentations
Author/Creator
Jean-Maurice Matchewan
Harry St. Denis
Carol McBride
Description
File contains a presentation by three Algonquin bands: Jean-Maurice Matchewan (Lac Barriere), Harry St. Denis (Wolf Lake), and Carol McBride (Timiskaming). This presentation on behalf of all three First Nations gives a brief historical background of the Algonquin people, an overview of their contemporary conditions, the outstanding claim of the Algonquin nation, relations with the Department of Indian Affairs, and a summary and policy recommendations to the Commission.
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 an open round table discussion on Aboriginal justice issues in Canada with 24 participants. The theme of the discussion is the creation of a separate Aboriginal justice system(s), what such a system(s) would deal with, and whether it would be possible to establish such a system(s) under the current Constitutional framework.