Provides clarification of the Canadian law of class actions and gives guidance for anyone considering a class action suit regarding residential school abuse.
Book review of: Out of the Depths: The Experiences of Mi'kmaw Children at the Indian Residential School at Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia by Isabelle Knockwood, with Gillian Thomas.
RCAP 23 contains files from the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at The Long House, Teslin, Yukon. This sitting of the Commission contains presentations by on a variety of subjects such as land claims and self-government, Inuit health care, and the impact of residential schools. Each submission can be viewed individually on this site.
File contains an individual presentation by Barbara Becker describing the effects of residential schools, Bill C-31 and discrimination against Aboriginal women have had on her family. She urges Canadian non-Aboriginals to understand their history because without that background, she feels that understanding Aboriginal history is impossible. Becker suggests having Commissioner Viola Robinson lead a closed hearing for Aboriginal women to present their concerns and ideas. Following the presentation is a discussion with the Commissioners.
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples - Transcriptions of Public Hearings and Round Table Discussions
Documents & Presentations
Author/Creator
Darrell Boissonea
Description
File contains a presentation by Chief Darrell Boissoneau that focuses on treaty violations and particularly on the Indian Act. He calls on the Commission to help begin the healing and to ensure funding for the essential programs that are necessary to help Aboriginal people reclaim their culture. 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 Chief Edmond Metatawabin describing the arrival of missionaries in the James Bay and the missions and residential schools that were constructed. He describes the St. Anne's Residential School Reunion and Conference in August 1992 as the beginning of healing for those former students in attendance. He urges the Commission to look at the findings of the Conference and to help address the healing of the survivors in his community and throughout Canada. A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.
File contains a presentation by Edward Morin of the Enoch Cree Nation. Morin describes his life experiences as a Status Indian in Alberta, including residential schooling, relations with government officials, discrimination in the justice system, and other problems. Morin also offers up his own views on the Constitution and the need to provide people with economic opportunity in Canada, both Aboriginal and non.
File contains a presentation by John Joe Sark, Captain of the Micmac Grand Council. Sark discusses the need to tell Aboriginal history, particularly the positive side, in schools in New Brunswick. He also discusses the Micmac's struggle to hold onto their culture through generations of assimilative pressures. Following Sark's presentation is a discussion with the Commissioners.
File contains a presentation by Micmac Wallace Libillois. Libillois discusses the history of colonization and his people in Canada, the commonalities between indigenous people across the country in their relationship with the state, residential schooling, proseltization, Aboriginal fishing rights, threats to Aboriginal people's rights, an indigenous view of resource use, the Aboriginal roots of many European democratic concepts, and the importance of Constitutional recognition and inclusion for Aboriginal peoples in Canada.
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples - Transcriptions of Public Hearings and Round Table Discussions
Documents & Presentations
Author/Creator
Stan McKay
Description
File contains opening remarks by Stan McKay from Fisher River, Manitoba. McKay relates that his expectations for the Commission are not as high as previous presenters as his life experiences, including a stint in residential school, have made him cynical about such endeavours. He also expresses grave doubts about the presence of political will to make changes in Canada. That said, McKay expresses his hope that the Commission can be an educational opportunity for all Canadians, Aboriginal and Non, to right the wrongs of the past and work for a better future.
In the video produced in 1992, residential school survivors relate their experiences; includes archival photographs and footage that reflect the attitude of the Anglican Church during that era.
Duration: 23:58.
6 Part video series outlines the history of the residential school system and how it personally affected generations of First Nations people.
Features the voices of many former school residents and their families, including Elijah Harper, Art Solomon, Shirley Cheechoo and the songs of Maria Linklater.
Duration: 51:00.
Click "play all" to see all six videos or click each part separately.