Links to past and present codes written by Indian Bands in accordance with section of the Indian Act which is then sent to the federal government for ministerial approval.
Part of a research project entitled Exploring Section 10: Narrating Three Decades of Indian Band Membership Policy, 1985 to Present.
The Canadian Journal of Native Studies, vol. 12, no. 1, 1992, pp. 1-35
Description
History of the Lubicon, and their struggle for recognition as a people, with discussion about the changing positions of the Federal and Provincial governments regarding the right of the Lubicon to determine their own membership.
Saskatchewan Indian, vol. 20, no. 7, January 1992, p. 1
Description
Due to an old Indian Act provision, Christine Blackstar LaPlante could exercise voting rights and received annuities after her 1937 marriage to a Métis man. However, that legislation prevented her from living at Moosomin reserve and excluded her children from membership.
RCAP 28 contains files from the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at the Thomas Cheechoo Memorial Centre, Moose Factory, Ontario. This sitting of the Commission contains verbal and written presentations primarily by elders in the Moose Factory area relating to education, the Indian Act, Aboriginal women's rights, self-government. Each submission can be viewed individually on this site.
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.
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples - Transcriptions of Public Hearings and Round Table Discussions
Documents & Presentations
Author/Creator
Florence Boucher
Description
File contains a presentation by Florence Boucher detailing discrimination she experienced because of the Indian Act and Bill C-31. She is frustrated that some persons under Bill C-31 receive education funding, while others also under the Bill do not receive funding. Following the presentation are remarks by the Commissioners.
File contains a presentation by Calvin White of the Flat Bay Indian Band. White discusses a range of issues including the Indian Act, Aboriginal self-governance, and social problems. Following the presentation Commissioners Erasmus and Robinson discuss some of the issues raised with White.
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 welcoming remarks by Chief Lawrence Henry, Roseau River. Henry discusses self government issues and welcomes the Commission to Roseau River. Following Chief Henry's presentation the assembled Commissioners discuss jurisdictional and self-governance issues with him.
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples - Transcriptions of Public Hearings and Round Table Discussions
Documents & Presentations
Author/Creator
Randy Kapashesit.
Description
File contains a presentation by Chief Randy Kapashesit. Kapashesit discusses the importance of sorting out issues of power, citizenship, and jurisdiction when considering Constitutional questions and the mandate of the Royal Commission itself. Kapashesit also states that any self-governance should be based on traditional models, rather than the Indian Act model of government.
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples - Transcriptions of Public Hearings and Round Table Discussions
Documents & Presentations
Author/Creator
Samuel Sam
Description
File contains a presentation by Chief Samuel Sam, Esquimalt Reserve, British Columbia, expressing concern with the Indian Act and the loss of culture from the viewpoint of Chief and Elder in his community.
File contains a presentation by Don Ryan focusing on Aboriginal rights and title. He gives the Commission documents that his organization wants recorded in the official record for the purposes of the Commission. He introduces Herb George, speaking for the Wet'suwet'en people.
File contains a presentation by Gabe Mentouck, a member of Native Mediation Inc. Mentouck relates why he opposes inherent Indian self-government, and tells a personal story of persecution and abuse by the Chief on his reserve. Mentouck highlights problems with a lack of accountability in Status Indian leadership, a lack of respect for individual rights on reserve, gangsterism and threatening behaviour towards those who opposse the status quo, and unfair treatment of himself from the wider Canadian legal system. Following the presentation is a discussion between the Commissioners and Mr.
File contains a presentation by Grace Menconse, Vice-President of Native Mediation Inc. Menconse, a Bill C-31 person, discusses her groups problems with an undefined self-government, jurisdictional issues, with lack of accountability and transparency in Band politics, and the need to apply the Charter of Rights and Freedoms to Status Indians. Menconse also discusses electoral fraud and serious human rights abuses which she accuses Aboriginal leadership of being complicit in.
File contains a presentation by the Grand Falls Band, Exploits Native Band Council. Rosemary Francis Williams and Board of Directors, Ignatius Paul. Williams delivers the first half of the presentation which covers concerns facing the Band including recognition by the Federal and Provincial governments, justice concerns, financial concerns, self-governance, cultural concerns, and Indian Act concerns. Paul relates a personal story to highlight the treatment his people have received from government and to ask that their Aboriginal rights with regard to economic pursuits be recognized.
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples - Transcriptions of Public Hearings and Round Table Discussions
Documents & Presentations
Author/Creator
Harold Prince
Description
File contains a presentation by Harold Prince relating to the overwhelming demand for housing on the Nak'azdli First Nation, due to Bill C-31 reinstatement, members returning home for economic reasons or upon completion of their education. He calls on the Commission to help secure more funding for proper housing for band members. 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 John Corbiere relating to the constitutional and legal position of the Metis and off-reserve Aboriginals. He states that on his First Nations, "The present elected band leadership is denying our off-reserve members the opportunity to vote on the basic things that have a crucial effect on their lives. Those members are being excluded from the social and political prosperity of the band.
File contains a presentation by Marlene Pierre and Bernadette Cook focusing on Aboriginal women in politics and they must be included in the decision-making process. She describes the clan system of government and how the benefits of that system could be used in an "Aboriginal Charter," a form of self-government established by Aboriginal women on paper. 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
Mathilda Fontaine
Description
File includes a presentation by Mathilda Fontaine on behalf of the Maliotenam School Parents Committee. Fontaine discusses concerns with money being allocated for education not necessarily being spent on it, and also with the recognition of Montagnais teaching certificates. Following her presentation Commissioner Dussault and Wilson discuss these issues with her, while Commissioner Chartrand thanks her for her presentation.
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 wide ranging presentation by Richard Francis and Darrell Paul of the Kingsclear Maliseet First Nation. The presentation is given on behalf of Chief Stephen Sacobie who was unable to attend due to other commitments. Francis outlines a wide variety of concerns to his people centering around the right to self-determination and autonomy, as well as offering a critique of what he sees as a governmental system driven by greed.
File contains a presentation by Silas Wesley of Kashechewan Cree First Nation in Ontario discussing his past work with various Aboriginal organizations relating to self-government. He feels that the Commission will help in the struggle for self-government and hopes that "we can include and justify our land within the Constitution."
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 Warner Goodvoice, Social Development Administrator, Wahpeton Band. Goodvoice discusses self governance, funding and bureaucratic issues particualarly with regard to the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations. Goodvoice argues that it is neccessary to get more grassroots engagement and funding into these structures. Following the presentation Comissioner Wilson questions Goodvoice on what he thinks self-governance would mean in pratice and he answers here.
File contains a presentation by Chief Andrew Kirkness in English and Cree (translation provided in text). Kirkness discusses the historical relationship between Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal Canadians, land claims, intergovernmental affairs, the Constitution, the status of off reserve First Nations people, Education, nothern conditions, the Indian Act, economic issues, cultural issues, the importance of Elders to First Nations governance, and the situation of Aboriginal youth.
Both bills were meant to address gender inequity and discrimination present in the Indian Act whereby women and their children were excluded from status and any of the accompanying rights and benefits .