Presentation made at the Canadian Bar Association in 1992 examining the constitution, histories, and contemporary political processes of Aboriginal peoples in Canada.
Discusses Malcolm Norris and his political views, his involvement with the Neestow Project, his visions for the future, his family, his frustrations and short-comings.
Don Nielson was one of the original organizers of the Metis Association of Saskatchewan in 1964. He talks about the differences between Metis groups in the north and south and Norris's fight against government funding.
One of the original organizers of the Metis Association of Saskatchewan in 1964 discusses problems within native organizations between north and south, status and non-status, Liberal and CCF.
A registered nurse talks about her friendship with Malcolm Norris and the development of Friendship Centres in Prince Albert and Winnipeg and school integration in La Ronge.
Joe Amyotte was president of the southern Saskatchewan Metis organization from 1966 and president of the combined southern and northern group until 1970 when he was defeated by Howard Adams. He was responsible for the development of educational upgrading and housing programs for the Metis.
Keith Wright was employed in the penitentiary service and was also the president of the board of directors of the Prince Albert Indian/Metis Friendship Centre.
Louis Garneau was a cousin of Jim Brady and spent much of his youth with Jim. He speaks of working in the north during the 20s and 30s and of his recollections of Jim's family and political interests.
Norman Brudy is a member of the Communist party and was provincial party organizer for Saskatchewan in the early 1960s when both Brady and Norris were party members. Brudy gives his impressions of Norris and Brady as political leaders and Marxists and discusses their application of Marxism to the native question.
Mr. Isadore, aged 72, a former councillor on Drift Pile River Reserve, recounts a history of Drift Pile River Reserve, and of other reserves around Lesser Slave Lake.
He gives an account of the 1862 Minnesota Massacre and, in its aftermath, the movement of a group of Sioux (Dakota) to Prince Albert, Saskatchewan under the leadership of Tarasota (?). He also gives an account of the 1885 Riel Rebellion and its effect on the Sioux (Dakota) living in the Prince Albert, Saskatchewan district.
Rod Bishop was raised in Green Lake, Saskatchewan Upon returning to Saskatchewan in the early 1960s, he became involved in the reorganization of the Metis Association of Saskatchewan and was vice president of the amalgamated Metis Society.
File contains an opening prayer for the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at Ile a la Crosse, Saskatchewan, on Tuesday, December 8, 1992. The opening prayer was made by Jim Favel and Commissioner of the Day Martin Durocher called on the moderator, Max Morin, to present a Historical Perspective of Ile a la Crosse. Opening remarks were made by Commissioner Rene Dussault and Commissioner Mary Sillett regarding the composition and mandate of the Commission and commenting on the Historical Perspective.
File contains opening remarks by Tom MacCagno who provides the Commission with a history of the exploration and establishment of Lac La Biche. He notes the involvement of Metis people when Father Albert Lacombe arrived in 1852. MacCagno says that Portage La Biche, forerunner of Lac La Biche, is a Canadian national historic site but the government chooses not to designate and restore the site. MacCagno also comments on aboriginal language policy and how elders must pass down the language and traditions of Aboriginal peoples to the youth.
File contains a presentation by Albert Delaire, Regional Director, Metis Society of Saskatchewan. Delaire accuses the Commission of over-representing Status Indian concerns to the detriment of Metis people, to which Commissioner Erasmus responds. Following this is a conversation between Delaire and Commissioners Erasmus and Blakeney on the Commissions mandate, and its efforts to include Metis people.
File contains a presentation by Eric Joubert, spokesperson of the Alliance autochtone du Quebec. Joubert describes the background of his organization which exists to assist Metis, Non-status, and status off reserve populations in Quebec and its involvement in various programs. Joubert then discusses rights concerns. Following the presentation Commissioner Dussault thanks Joubert for his suggestion.
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples - Transcriptions of Public Hearings and Round Table Discussions
Documents & Presentations
Author/Creator
Augustine Abraham
Description
File contains a presentation by Augustine Abraham, President of l'Union nationale metisse St-Joseph du Manitoba, in French. Abraham relates the history of her organization, which was founded to represent the francophone and Roman Catholic Metis community of Manitoba in 1887. She discusses how the idea of a seperate Metis government is contrary to Louis Riel's vision, and how her organization would like to see the Metis as partners in Canada. Abraham also discusses land issues, and the then recent Constitutional talks chaired by Joe Clark (the so-called "Canada Round" of negotiations).
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.
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples - Transcriptions of Public Hearings and Round Table Discussions
Documents & Presentations
Author/Creator
Carol Thompson
Description
File contains a presentation by Carol Thompson focusing on the lack of recognition of Métis issues in British Columbia, in the areas of culture, drug and alcohol rehabilitation and the lack of resources for Elders to receive proper health care.
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.
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples - Transcriptions of Public Hearings and Round Table Discussions
Documents & Presentations
Author/Creator
Claire Riddle
Description
File contains a presentation by Claire Riddle, Vice-President, Winnipeg Region of the Manitoba Metis Federation. Riddle mainly discusses economic matters including education, assistance for entrepreneurs, affirmative action, small business, and self-government for Metis people. She also discusses some Metis history making the assertion that "traditionally the Metis were a commercial nation whose entrepreneurs pursued ventures in national and international trade." Following the presentation is a discussion with the Commissioners regarding its contents.
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples - Transcriptions of Public Hearings and Round Table Discussions
Documents & Presentations
Author/Creator
Clifford Trapper
Description
File contains an individual presentation by Clifford Trapper. Trapper is a Metis man presenting on behalf of his grandfather, a Metis elder of the James Bay area. Trapper's presentation discusses uniqueness of Aboriginal culture and the need for government help with the decline of the traditional economy. It also touches on issues like pollution and self-governance.
File contains a presentation by Dave Barron of the Pacific Metis Federation. Barron discusses the story of his people, their neglect by government, his views on Bill C-31 and how the government has divided Aboriginal peoples starting at the family level. Barron concludes by recommending that "some form of legislation be enacted within the near future to release our people from the bonds of Bill C-31, if they should desire." Following the presentation is a discussion between Barron and Commissioner Erasmus on the ideas raised in the presentation.
File contains remarks by Diane Delaronde of the Pas Region, Manitoba Metis Federation. Delaronde welcomes the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples to The Pas, Manitoba on behalf of her organization.
File contains a presentation by Dr. Anne Anderson. Anderson's presentation entitled "The history of the Metis nation." The presentation gives a general overview of Metis history from Anderson's own personal perspective and what she thinks is its relevance.
File contains a presentation by Garth Wallbridge. Wallbridge, a Métis man, presenting as an individual, raises a wide variety of concerns. These include Aboriginal Non-Aboriginal relations, government policy, the Commission itself, educational issues, self-governance, languages, Métis issues, and others. Following the presentation the assembled Commissioners discuss some of the issues raised with Wallbridge.
File contains a presentation by Gerald Thom stating that Metis organizations are finally, in the 1990s, becoming involved in government policymaking. Thom believes that "in order to attain our goals we must support decentralization of powers from the federal and provincial government, and we must have a say on what policies and issues arise through decentralization. He discusses briefly education, language, and employment concerns relating to the Metis. Following the presentation are remarks by the Commissioners.
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples - Transcriptions of Public Hearings and Round Table Discussions
Documents & Presentations
Author/Creator
Gilbert Capot Blanc
Description
File contains an a presentation by Gilbert Capot Blanc of the Treaty 8 Tribal Association. Blanc's presentation gives an account of the history of First Nations in Northeastern British Columbia, and how they came into Treaty Eight with the Crown, and the aftermath of entering into Treaty. Blanc discusses the Dunneza (Beaver), Cree, and Saulteaux inhabitants of the area from the 1790s onward. Commissioner Erasmus questions Blanc on how the Saulteaux (originally from the Lake Winnipeg area of what is now Manitoba) came to the area and Blanc describes what he knows of this history.