File contains an individual presentation by Evelyn Schrieber expressing concern for Aboriginal homeless people. She describes the hopelessness within her family as she, as well as her two children, were homeless at various points in their lives. Schrieber states that Aboriginals are denied the right to proper psychiatric treatment, particularly those who are homeless. She calls on the Commission to provide funding for programs for mentally ill people, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal alike. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.
File contains an individual presentation by Ian Hinksman focusing on the lack of services and programs available for disabled Aboriginal people, both on- and off-reserve, in Canada. Hinksman answers questions from Co-Chair Georges Erasmus and Commissioner for the Day Norman Evans.
File contains a presentation by AK. She discusses the suicide of a family member and the lessons she drew from it. She then goes on to discuss some mechanisms for helping people deal with grief and family tragedies.
File contains a presentation made by Dorothy McKay on the topic of single-parenting in Aboriginal families. Also contained are comments and questions from the assembled Commissioners.
File contains a presentation by Dr. Chris Durocher and Dr. David Skinner, representatives, Yukon Medical Association, that focuses on numerous issues relating to health care in the North, including under-representation of First Nations people at the administrative and health workers levels, the relationship between poverty and ill health, and little to non-existent treatment for First Nations persons with mental health problems.
This file contains a presentation by Iris Allen and Margaret Webb focusing on the problems created by the lack of health care services for Inuit people in Labrador. They discuss health problems created by substance abuse, family violence and inadequate housing. The speakers are particularly concerned with the physical and mental health of the youth of Labrador. They call on the Commission to increase financial and professional assistance to Labrador Inuit communities, and to ensure these communities have input in local health care programs.
File contains a presentation by Jennifer Scott relating to her organization, whose mandate is to provide services to adults with disabilities in order to assist them to become contributing and participating members of their communities. The association provides two non-facility based programs, the first being an outreach program designed to assist disabled persons acquire skills to live independently.
File contains a presentation by Jo-Anne Olson and Dene Kameka. Their group home in Slave Lake cares for behaviourally difficult and emotionally disturbed teenagers from ages 13-17. 60% of their clientele is Aboriginal and from northern Alberta. Their concern lies with the lack of transitional support from group homes back to their families. They call on the Commission to increase funding so that Aboriginal people can be hired to assist the youth with their recovery and their return to their reserve. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.
This file contains a presentation by Linda Pinch focusing on the Westman WomenÂ’s Shelter in Brandon. The shelter provides safe and temporary accommodation to women and their children who have been physically, emotionally or sexually abused. Pinch also discusses the YWCA Residence Program, a halfway house facility serving people on federal and provincial people, and those needing post-mental health and post-addiction treatment.
File contains a presentation by Louise Bouvier, Yukon Indian Women's Association. Bouvier, the organization's President, discusses their program the Dene Nets'edet'an which is a community healing project intended to treat "family violence, alcohol and drug abuse, sexual abuse, mission school syndrome, et cetera." Dene Nes'edet'an differs from past approaches in emphasizing After-care: an emphasis on long term recovery treatment for dealing with traumas. Following Bouvier's presentation the assembled Commissioners discuss the program with her.
File contains a presentation by Maggie Hodgeson discussing the Nechi Institute's purpose and goals. In the last 18 years this Aboriginal training institute has trained 2500 counsellors to work in the 15 Aboriginal treatment programs and 30 prevention programs in Alberta. Hodgeson calls for the Commission to ensure funding for the Nechi Institute continues because its graduates are contributing to the decline of substance abuse among Aboriginals in Alberta.
The file contains spresentation by Marlene Villebrun, Canadian Mental Health Association. Villebrun discusses discrimination and low self-esteem issues; alcohol and drug abuse; the need to make Aboriginal history mandatory and a priority in Canadian schools; the intergenerational effects of cultural deprivation; and the need to better equip youth for "living in two cultures."
File contains a presentation by Meeka Arnagia, Chairman, Mental Health Association, Pangnirtung, who gives a brief history of mental health services in the Pangnirtung area. The lease agreement on their building is up in 1993 and the group also lacks a shelter for family violence victims. Arnagia calls for considerably more funding to need the need for mental health services. 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 made by the Muskrat Dam First Nation. Chief Frank Beardy, Juliette Duncan, Sarah Beardy, Victoria Beardy, Shirley Morris, Lucy Beardy and Mary-Ann Morris all spoke to various topics of welfare, medical services, education, general health. Also contained are questions and comments from the assembled Commissioners.
File contains a presentation by Donna Roundhead of Nodin Counselling Services. Roundhead discusses the high suicide rate in Nishnawbe-Aski communities, calls for a federal inquiry into the high suicide rate, discusses the need for Aboriginal mental health consultants, and related issues. Following the presentation the assembled Commissioners discuss some of these issues with Roundhead.
File contains a presentation by Karen Acorn, Suicide Prevention Officer, and Nowya Williams. Acorn and Williams address the issue of suicide in the region and express the belief that it is something which can often be prevented when the proper information and counselling is available for people. Williams stresses the importance of involving Elders in community counselling to help address the problem. Following the presentations the assembled Commissioners discuss the issue with the two presenters.
File contains a presentation by Paul Williams, vicar of the Anglican Church in Rankin Inlet. He presents his concerns as an individual on education and suicide in the community. Williams argues that there is not enough funding for culturally relevant education of the kind that is needed. Williams then discusses the problem of the extremely high rate of suicide in the community, and the lack of help in dealing with it. Following his presentation Commissioners Robinson and Blakeney thank Williams and discuss some of the issues raised with him.
File contains a presentation by Rhoda Fiander, social worker at Waterford Hospital, St. John's, Newfoundland. Waterford Hospital has the only psychiatric facility in Newfoundland. She presents five recommendations to assist in the treatment of mental health issues for Aboriginal people, including improved access to interpreting services, training of social work staff that includes Aboriginal culture issues, and support and advocacy must be given to Aboriginal peoples' desire to heal themselves. Following the presentation is a discussion with the Commissioners.
File contains a presentation by Richard Mills and Evelyn Buffalo focusing on the approach Aboriginals have toward health care: the mental, emotional, physical and spiritual aspects. The two presenters state that an Aboriginal health centre is required as non-Aboriginal health care workers do not understand the Aboriginal approach to health care. They anticipate the new health centre to be open in 1993.
File contains a presentation by Shibogama First Nations Council, Sarah McKay. McKay discusses the social and health conditions of the local First Nations, and attributes many of their problems to colonialism and policies such as the residential schools. McKay recommends that any move towards self-governance first start by addressing the mental, spiritual, and physical health concerns of area First Nations. Following the presentation the assembled Commissioners discuss some of these issues with McKay.
File contains a presentation by Tom Erasmus who is a community development worker for the Alberta Mental Health Association located in the northeast region of Alberta. He is also a co-ordinator of native services for the northeast region of Alberta.
File contains a presentation regarding Child Abuse by Patricia Darling. Darling discusses the use of play therapy to treat troubled children in the school setting on reserve. Following the presentation Commissioner Chartrand engages in a discussion with Darling on the ideas raised.
Canadian Journal of Criminology, vol. 34, no. 3-4, July-October 1992, pp. [403]-416
Description
Argues that an integrated approach, incorporating both deprivation (influences external to the individual) and importation (internal to the individual) theory, is necessary when analyzing risk factors for suicide in the inmates.