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 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.
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.