File contains a presentation by Saalie Peter, Chairman of the Apex Education Council. Peter describes the history of his people and the challenges they have encountered, particularly the depletion of whale stocks, and the assertion of federal control over Inuit communities in the 1950s. Peter also describes the challenges faced across cultures in education and the issues his organization encounters. Following the presentation is a discussion between Peter and the Commissioners on the issues raised.

The file contains a presentation by Sadie Parnell of the Kermode Friendship Centre. Parnell discusses the Friendship Centres operations and goals. Parnell requests more assistance from the government in terms of programming and education, particularly with reference to disabled people and non-Aboriginals to foster cross-cultural understanding. Following the presentation Commissioners Chartrand and Wilson comment on the presentation.

The file contains a presentation by Samantha Bastien, a student at Piegan School on the Piegan Reserve, Alberta. Bastien states that she "basically agree[s]" with everything previous presenter Robin Weasel Bear had to say in his presentation. Robin Weasel Bear's presentation can be viewed on this site.

File contains a presentation by Sandra DeLaronde and Doug Lovestead focusing on post-secondary education, giving the history of Keewatin Community College and statistics on Aboriginal student graduation rates. Proposals include the establishment of an Aboriginal council that participates in the decision making process of Keewatin Community College, and the establishment of an Aboriginal learning centre at The Pas and Thompson campuses. Following the presentation is a discussion with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Saqiasi Sauluapik, Education Council, Pangnirtung. He provides a history of education in Pangnirtung and notes that only until the 1980s that the emphasis was on Inuit language and culture. In 1986, the hamlet was the first Inuit community outside Northern city centres with a high school program. He cites the Baffin Division Board of Education study that set a goal of more Inuit teachers, principals and school administrators by the year 2000. He calls for the Commission to ensure funding to achieve that goal.

File contains a presentation by Sara Jerome. Jerome, (sometimes speaking in Gwich'in which is provided in English translation) discusses her experiences with the education system (post-secondary), and her views regarding the culture and language of the Gwich'in people. She expresses frustration with Commissions visiting the Western Arctic in the past which lead to no changes. She also discusses her frustration with the Canada 125th birthday celebrations which ignored aboriginal peoples languages but put a high emphasis on English and French.

File contains a presentation by Sarah Anala. Anala is an Innu woman originally from Labrador, a member of the New Brunswick Aboriginal Peoples' Council, and a board member of the New Brunswick Native Indian Women's Council Inc. Anala relates her personal, spiritual, and cultural background.

This file contains a portion of a transcript of a sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at Hotel Saskatchewan, Regina, Saskatchewan. This portion of the Commission includes a presentation by the School of Human Justice given by Jim Harding concerning the Justice System as it pertains to the Aboriginal Community. Questions from the assembled commissioners are also present.

The file contains a presentation by Schuyler Webster. Webster discusses matters related to First Nation partnerships and promoting educational opportunities from his position as Coordinator of Human Native Services at the School of Social Work, Laurentian University.

File contains a presentation by Sharon Pelletier at the University of Manitoba regarding her personal experiences as a mature student, single parent, and Bill C31 person. Following this is a discussion with the Commissioners also involving the preceding presenter, Dave Mowat, also a student at the University of Manitoba, regarding the issues raised in their two presentations.

File contains a presentation by Sheena Jackson. Jackson discusses racism, particularly in the field of education. Jackson critiques racist portrayals of Aboriginal people in Social Studies curricula, media representations, and related issues.

File contains a presentation by Sheilagh Chief of the Southern Ontario Metis and Aboriginal Association discussing the role of elders in community politics. She is also concerned with funding for adult education. She introduces the next speaker, Joe Major.

The file contains a presentation by Shelly Yellow Horn. Yellow Horn discusses the Youth Group Program on the Peigan Reserve which she is involved with. Yellow Horn explains its' mandate which involves alcohol and drug abuse prevention, education, cultural identity, and the development of youth leaders.

File contains a presentation by Shirley Cook. Cook, an aboriginal student enrolled in a television production course at the Native Communications Society in Yellowknife, discusses the role she thinks television can play in Aboriginal communities and culture. Cook also discusses the importance of the North to Canada, and the importance of telling the stories of the people there. Following the presentation the assembled Commissioners discuss some of the issues raised with Cook.

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."

File contains a presentation by Simeonie Weetaluktuk. Simeonie is an elder who corroborates the preceding presenters take on history in the region. Specifically she discusses the lack of assistance available from the police, and the hardships her people faced. Weetaluktuk discusses relations with the Hudson's Bay Company, the introduction of the snowmobile, and housing concerns in the context of her communities history.

File contains a presentation by Simon Brascoupe of Apikan Ltd. Brascoupe discusses economic development, the role culture plays in it, and concludes with general economic strategy advice. Brascoupe emphasizes the interrelatedness of development and spirituality, the importance of traditional and local economies, and his belief that the future lies in education of people. Following Brascoupe's presentation Commissioners Dussault and Blakeney discuss some of the issues raised with him.

File contains a presentation by Snowden Parsons. Parsons discusses the importance of education for young Labradorians. He points out that 85 percent of Labradorians have never completed high school, and that the time has come for "a center to press for workforce education and quality education."

The file contains a presentation by Abbey Crook of the Soaring Eagle Friendship Centre. Crook, Executive Director of the Centre, makes a variety of recommendations to the Commission on behalf of Northwest Territories Friendship Centres. These include culture and language recommendations; education recommendations; justice recommendations; social recommendations (in terms of delivery of social services); and economic recommendations all based on a survey conducted by the Friendship Centres of their constituencies.

File contains a presentation by Sonny Flett, President of the Fort Chipewyan Metis Local. Flett presents on the concerns of the Metis people of the area, mainly with regard to the impact of industry on the Metis way of life. Flett discusses the negative impact of the Bennett Dam on the Athabasca Delta, polluted water, and a lack of access to education and assistance. Flett also discusses the state of local fisheries and relations with the rest of the Metis Nation of Alberta and the provincial government.

File contains a presentation by Stan Sinclair and Brian Sinclair of the Moose Lake Metis Federation. The Sinclairs discuss how they feel that the Metis' aboriginal rights have been suppressed, that government assistance provided is completely inadequate, and that the Metis have lost many of their cultural traditions. Following the presentation is a discussion between Commissioners Chartrand and Blakeney and the two presenters on some of the issues raised in the presentation.

File contains a presentation by seven students from the Henry Gordon Academy in Cartwright, Labrador. The presenters are as follows: Janice Clark, Sharon Bird, Fabian Green, Norman Frieda, Lee Pittman, Janet Paul, and Barbie Mesher. Commissioners Erasmus and Sillet discuss Metis identity in Labrador and educational issues with the students.

The file contains a presentation by Sydney McKay of the Manitoba Metis Federation (Thompson Region), and Freda Lundmark, Metis Women of Manitoba. Lundmark discusses Metis youth, employment, cultural, recreational, education, Elders, housing, child care, child support, gender and employment, curricula, Aboriginal languages (including Michif, Cree, and Saulteaux), jurisdiction, justice, health, and general concerns of Metis women and youth in Northern Manitoba.

File contains a presentation by T'mas Young of the Micmac AIDS Task Force. Young makes a wide array of recommendations to the Commission related to Aboriginal AIDS awareness and treatment. Following the presentation Commissioners Erasmus, Robinson, and Morris, thank Young and discuss some of the issues raised with him.

File contains a presentation by Tat Tatoosh, Linguistic Graduate, University of Victoria. Tatoosh discusses Nuu-Chah-Nulth language programs for children within the British Columbia School District No. 70/Nuu-Chah-Nulth Tribal Council area. Tatoosh discusses the Nuu-Chah-Nulth language, its importance to the culture, Euro-Canadians difficulty in learning it, and curriculum development. Following the presentation is a discussion on language and culture issues in education between Commissioner Georges Erasmus, Commissioner Viola Robinson, Tatoosh, and previous presenter Denny Grisdale.

File contains a presentation by Ted Andersen, Makkovik Economic Development. Andersen discusses training program, employment issues, trapping and fishing, and general economic issues facing the community.

File contains a presentation by Ted Langford relating to the development of the Alberta Vocational College (AVC) in Lac La Biche. Langford describes the education and training programs in place at AVC for Aboriginals that he sees as vital to the improvement of economic and social conditions for Aboriginals in that area. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Arnold Paul of the Temagami First Nation. Paul discusses his home community of Bear Island, education, and economic development; specifically M'Kwa Minissi Anishnabaquec which operates a craft shop and training program for local women. Paul recommends to the Commission that the government negotiate self-governance arrangements on a case by case basis to suit the needs of individual communities.

File contains a presentation by Terry Hawkins discussing the difficulties of hiring Aboriginal and Inuit construction workers, due to lack of education. He is aware that students must leave Cambridge Bay and complete high school in the south and believes that larger educational facilities in Cambridge Bay are needed to accommodate the student population. A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.

File includes a presentation by Vice-President Denis Gill of the Centre Block of the Atikamekw and Montagnais Council. Gill expresses his thanks for the preceding presenters position on land claims, then goes on to his topic which is the federal Pathways program for Aboriginal labour force training. Gill gives an overview of the program than highlights a variety of problems with it, particularly in terms of administration, allocation of resources, and implementation. Following Gill's presentation Commissioners Dussault and Chartrand thank him and discuss some of the issues raised with him.

File contains a presentation by the Centre de formation Nutshimiu Atusseun. Reginald Volland, accompanied by Ben Sylvestre McKenzie, and Bernard St-Onge, discusses the work of their centre whose purpose is to "provide traditional wilderness skills courses, activities such as hunting, trapping, fishing, [and] particularly life in the wilderness. These activities are taught by elders, elders of the community, elders who still today have many values and skills to pass on.

File contains a presentation by the City of Quebec. Participants include Deputy Mayor Claude Cantin, and Reginald Gravel of the City Planning Department. Cantin delivers a detailed presentation on the relations between Aboriginal and Quebec societies, Canadian municipalities and Aboriginal governments, and the specific relations between Quebec City and the Huron-Wendat Nation. A host of issues are covered including racism and discrimination, ignorance of culture, economic development, the need for jurisdictional clarity, the importance of history in education, and related topics.

The file contains a presentation by Jim Ivens and Bill Gagnon of the Hay River Chamber of Commerce. President Ivens welcomes the Commission, discusses his organization's mandate, and introduces Bill Gagnon. Bill Gagnon then delivers a presentation discussing the Hay River business communities views on Aboriginal relations, self-governance, culture, cross-cultural understanding, economics, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal business, self-government and definitions of self-government, education, and general business issues.

The file contains a presentation by Donna Harrison of the Hay River Council for Persons with Disabilities. Director Harrison discusses learning disabilities, and their effect on both children and adults in the community. Harrison recommends that the government make learning disabilities a higher priority, makes specific recommendations pertaining to the situation in the Northwest Territories. Following the presentation Commissioners Georges Erasmus and Paul Chartrand thank Harrison and discuss some of the issues raised with her.

File contains a presentation by the Honourable Stephen Kakfwi, Government of the Northwest Territories, Minister for Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs.

The file contains a presentation by the Metis Nation of the Northwest Territories by Gary Bohnet, and Garth Wallbridge. President Gary Bohnet discusses health, education (including post-secondary), economic, housing, trapping, and equity of access to programs for Metis people. Garth Wallbridge discusses the Metis Nation Accord, the failure of the NWT to develop a Metis curriculum despite developing a Dene curriculum, home ownership programs, government assistance for Aboriginal people generally, and the definition of Metis people.

File contains a presentation by the Metis Society of Saskatchewan, Clem Chartier (Consultant). Chartier discusses the historical background to the Metis view of their rights in the area beginning with the visit of the Scrip Commissioner to Ile a La Crosse in 1906. Chartier does so to show the Commission "a cursory overview to hopefully sensitize you to some of the reasons...why we are saying the Commission has to look at Metis issues specifically." In addition to the scrip issue Chartier discusses poverty, resources, and game laws.

The file contains a presentation by the Honourable Richard Nerysoo, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Government of the Northwest Territories.

The file contains a presentation by the Nisga'a First Nation by Herbert Morven, Reg Percival, Peter Squires, and Tommy Dennis. Herbert Morven introduces the other presenters; Reg Percival speaks on behalf of the Gitlakdamix Band Council and the Tribal Council, Peter Squires speaks on behlaf of the Health Board, and Tommy Dennis makes a presentation on behalf of the Nisga'a Nation's urban locals.

File contains a presentation by the Region of Nunavik Chairman Eli Weetaluktuk and Member Simeonie Nalukturak. Weetaluktuk discusses Inuit self-government, the Canadian Constitution, the history of the Quebec Inuit's movement towards self-government, justice issues, employment and job training, and economic development.

File contains a presentation by the Regional Council on Education and Culture by Therese Niquay, and Genevieve Neashit. Niquay presents on education, culture, and linguistic concerns amongst the Attikamek. Genevieve Neashit presents on the steps the Attikamek have taken with regards to educational control. Neashit also requests additional assistance from federal, provincial and Aboriginal governments. Charles Coucou also gives some observations on education, residential schools, and the importance of spirituality.

File contains a presentation by Managing Director Octave Deraps, and Ms Bernier, of the Sept-Iles CEGEP. Deraps delivers a presentation highlighting the CEGEP's programs for Aboriginal (mainly Montagnais) students, including its degree program, Amerindian Studies courses, etc. Deraps also discusses relations with the Aboriginal community in formulating such courses and programs.

File contains a presentation made by the Student Youth Group of Aglace Chapman Education Centre. Olivia Necan, Michelle Barkman, David Morris and Anne-Marie McKay all spoke to the topic of wants for the future of Aboriginal youth. Also contained are comments of an Education Director, Richard Morris as well as questions and comments from the assembled Commissioners.

The file contains a presentation by the Sudbury Youth Group. Presenters Adrea Chusan, Adrian Abel, Lana Perrin, Steven Hall, Mark Seabrook, and Wasayabeniquoi Dishnikas. The presenters discuss educational, addictions, suicide, recreation, employment, parental support, and general youth issues. Commissioners Dussault and Sillett discuss some of the issues raised with the presenters.

The file contains a presentation by Sharon Caudron, Claire-Anne Bouchard, and Jacquie Soroff of the Women's Resource Centre in Hay River, Northwest Territories. The three women present on "condensed information and possible solutions to address generational violence" including family violence and abuse of multiple varieties. The presenters also suggest some possible solutions to the intergenerational cycle of violence, and its' relation to the criminal justice and education systems.

File contains a presentation by Thelma Chalifoux, Senator Co-Chair, Metis Nation of Alberta. Chalifoux discusses the institution of the Metis Senate in Alberta. Chalifoux gives an overview of its composition and goals, and relates how it draws its inspiration from the Senate of the Metis provisional government of Red River in 1870.

This file contains a portion of Volume 2 of a sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at Akwesasne Mohawk School, Cornwall Island, Ontario. This portion of the Volume includes a presentation given by Theresa Cole on the subject of the Akwesasne Native Teachers Association.

File contains a presentation by Theresa Holizki focusing on the effects of racism toward Aboriginal people. The Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission deals with complaints from Aboriginals relating to culture, education, the criminal justice system, employment and housing opportunities. She calls on the Commission to help end the systemic and institutionalized racism in Saskatchewan. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Tim McNeill. McNeill discusses issues related to education. McNeil's presentation covers secondary education, housing for students, language issues, teacher training, literacy concerns, and cultural concerns. Following the presentations Commissioners Dussault and Sillet discuss these findings.