Land Claims

File contains a presentation by three Algonquin bands: Jean-Maurice Matchewan (Lac Barriere), Harry St. Denis (Wolf Lake), and Carol McBride (Timiskaming). This presentation on behalf of all three First Nations gives a brief historical background of the Algonquin people, an overview of their contemporary conditions, the outstanding claim of the Algonquin nation, relations with the Department of Indian Affairs, and a summary and policy recommendations to the Commission.

File contains a presentation by Toby Andersen, Labrador Inuit Association. Andersen addresses the issue of the Inuit land claims agreement for northern Labrador which he has been involved with negotiating for several years. Andersen gives his own views on the process and the agreement (including discussion of tourism and fisheries issues), and asks that the Commission intervene on his organization's behalf. Following the presentation is a discussion between Andersen and Commissioners Dussault and Sillett.

File contains a presentation by Tony Belcourt, Constitutional Advisor, Metis National Council. Belcourt adds some remarks to the previous presentation by Marc Leclair, spokesperson for the Metis National Council. Belcourt asks the Commission to act on behalf of Metis peoples to let their history be known to Canadians, and to have them included as equals under the designation of Aboriginal peoples. Belcourt points out that often Metis people have been disregarded and Aboriginal used as a blanket term for First Nations and Inuit people in general parlance.

File contains an individual presentation by an unidentified speaker from the Tl'azt'en Nation. The speaker touches on a number of issues affecting their community, including lack of economic development and employment, land claims and self-government.

File contains a presentation by Vice-Chief John McDonald, Prince Albert Tribal Council. McDonald discusses his problems with the Nunavut settlement and requests that "the Royal Commmission on Aboriginal Peoples...undertake a review of the impact of the Nunavut Settlement Agreement on the treaty and aboriginal rights of the Athabasca Denesuline Bands and this review, including recommendations, be completed by the fall of 1992."

File contains a presentation by Wilfred Jacobs of the Lower Kootenay Band. Jacobs briefly discusses research into land claims by his band in the Lower Kootenay River area.

File contains a presentation by William Anderson III pertaining mainly to a submission made to the Commission regarding a Government of Newfoundland and Labrador discussion paper, dated November 1991, on an accelerated approach to Aboriginal land claims in Newfoundland and Labrador.

This file contains a presentation by William Andersen III focusing primarily on land claims of the Labrador Inuit. Andersen expresses disappointment with the Commissioners being unable to "intervene in difficulties between any individual organization and the governments that it has to deal with." Andersen has been involved with land claims negotiations in the past and is frustrated with the lack of progress in negotiations.

File contains a presentation by Willie Seymore discussing the loss of resources Aboriginals used to survive pre-contact and believes that land claims must be expanded "so that our future generations will know what a salmon is."

File contains a presentation by Yvon Dumont of the Manitoba Metis Federation regarding the history of the Metis in Canada and the issues they face, particularly the need for a land base, and self-government, for the Metis people. Dumont tells the Commissioners what he expects to come out of the Commission, and what he views as their role in redressing past injustices towards the Metis by Canada.

This file contains a transcript of a portion of a sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at Elizabeth Metis Settlement, Alberta. This portion includes a presentation for the East Prairie Metis Settlement by Harry Supernault concerning the cultural differences between the Metis community and that of others.

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 Ernie Benedict and Lloyd Benedict on the subjects of St. Lawrence Seaway - Expropriation of Land. As well as closing comments by Grand Chief Mike Mitchell.

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 Ernie Benedict and Lloyd Benedict on the subjects of St. Lawrence Seaway - Expropriation of Land. As well as closing comments by Grand Chief Mike Mitchell.

The file contains a presentation on behalf of British Columbia Federation of Agriculture by Cor Vandermeulen. Vandermeulen discusses his organization's role and view towards the British Columbia treaty negotiation process. Vandermeulen discusses the uncertainty his farmer and rancher constituency experiences when Aboriginal leaders discuss changes in land management practices, and power structures.

File contains a presentation by Chief Larry Johnson of the Caldwell Nation. Chief Johnson discusses his peoples negotiations for a land base in southwestern Ontario, and the history of the Nation including their war service on behalf of Britain and Canada. Following the presentation Chief Caldwell discusses some of the issues raised with Commissioners Erasmus and Chartrand.

The file contains a presentation on behalf of the Peigan Indian Band by Chief Leonard Bastien, Rod North Peigan, and Edwin Yellow Horn. Chief Basiten discusses some of the issues which face the Piegan people including water rights (including with reference to the Oldman River dispute), and reserve land expropriation. Chief Bastien also relates some of the history of his people, their creation story, the signing of Treaty 7 in 1877, the implications and aftermath of the Treaty process, and grievances against the government.

The file contains a presentation on behalf of Secwepemc re: Chiefs Memorial 1910 by Chief Nathan Matthew, Chief Antoine Archie, Chief Lenny Sellars, and Bob Manuel.

The file contains a presentation on behalf of Secwepemc re Self-Government, Chief Willie Alphonse. Chief Willie Alphonse, Chief of the Cariboo Lake Band, discusses self-government concerns of the Secwepemc with reference to the Treaty making process, land claims, jurisdiction, and Indian Act concerns. Chief Alphonse makes a variety of recommendations with respect to these issues. Following the presentation Commissioner Mary Sillett discusses some of the issues raised with Moderator Chief Nathan Matthew.

The file contains a presentation on behalf of Ska-hiish Holdings Limited by Arthur Manuel. Manuel discusses the company which is owned and operated by his extended and immediate family. Manuel discusses land, taxation, and start-up capital issues. Following the presentation Commissioner Mary Sillett discusses some of the issues raised with Manuel, after which a closing prayer concludes the day's sitting of the Royal Commission.

File contains a presentation by Robert George on behalf of the Stony Point First Nation. George discusses his peoples history, how he says they were defrauded of their lands and kicked off their reserve by the government, how the Kettle Point Council claims they were one reserve together but that they dispute this, and details of the dispute between his people, Indian Affairs, and Kettle Point. Following the presentation Commissioners Georges Erasmus and Paul Chartrand discuss the issues raised with George.

File contains a presentation by Henry Zoe, MLA, on behalf of the Dogrib Treaty 11 Council. Zoe outlines some of the problems facing the Treaty 11 Council and presents solutions on settling their land claim, institutions of self-governance, and regional economic development. The Treaty 11 Council represents the communities of Rae/Edzo, Lac la Martre, Rae Lakes, and Snare Lake. Following Zoe's presentation the assembled Commissioners discuss some of the issues raised with him.

The file contains a presentation on behalf of the Shuswap Okanagan Metis Association by Greg Mazur and Tim Low. Mazur, Vice-President of the Shuswap Okanagan Metis Organization, discusses the composition of his organization which represents approximately 650 Metis citizens as part of the larger Pacific Metis Federation. Mazur discusses the definition of Metis. Tim Low, Director of the SOMA, delivers a brief history of the Metis Nation.

File contains a presentation by Chief Jerry Paulette on behalf of the South River First Nation (formerly known as the Fort Smith Native Band). Paulette discusses a variety of concerns including treaties, programs and services, self-governance, and "how title and a bilateral process eveolves around self-government." Following the presentation the assembled Commissioners discuss some of the issues raised with Paulette.

The file contains a presentation on behalf of the Tsuu T'ina Nation by Bradford Littlelight and Regina Crowchild. The presenters discuss two issues: taxation and the proposed First Nations Chartered Land Act. Commissioner Erasmus discusses some of the issues raised with the two presenters.

The file contains presentations by Allana Dams, First Nations Confederacy, and Rod Young, West Tribal Council, First Nations Confederacy. Dams, a policy analyst, discusses concerns with the Chartered Land Act, Bill C-103, Treaty and inherent Aboriginal rights. Young discusses the organizational history of his tribal council, justice issues, Treaty and other Aboriginal rights issues, economic issues, natural resources and revenue sharing.

The file contains spresentation by Cheryl Pascal, Gwich'in Youth and Eugene Pascal, Chief, Aklavik Indian Band. Cheryl Pascal discusses Gwich'in language; cultural; post-secondary education; and general youth concerns.

File contains a presentation by Chief Thomas Bressette of the London District Chiefs. Bressette, Chief of the Chippewas of Kettle and Stony Point First Nation, London District, discusses his peoples land dispute with the Department of National Defence over an area known as Stony Point. Chief Bressette goes on to discuss land and self-governance issues generally, recommending to the Commissioon that an arbitration board be set up to resolve such disputes similar to the practice employed in labour relations, and that the federal Department of Indian Affairs be dismantled.

This file contains a transcript of part of a portion of a sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at Prince George, British Columbia. This part includes opening remarks by Karin Hunt, the moderator for the session and presentations by Rena Kinney, Jessica Lafond, Geraldine Thomas, Brenda Thomas, Rosalind Caldwell, Gloria Lerat, Lillian George, Sophie Thomas, and Betty Ann Barnes and others on the various topics of racism, self-government, Aboriginal woman's issues, taxation, land claims, sexual abuse,healing and the issues of Metis women.

File contains a presentation by Shirley Adamson, Council for Yukon Indians. Adamson, chairperson for the Vuntut Gwich'in Council, discusses the self-governance negotiations which her organization has embarked upon with the Government of Canada. The respective First Nations parties involved in such negotiations included the Vuntut Gwi'chin Tribal Council, the Na-cho Ny'a'k Dun First Nation, the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations, and the Teslin/Tlingit First Nation.

File contains opening remarks by Alfred Genaille of Chelan, Saskatchewan. Genaille discusses his two hopes for the Commission which are the return of Metis hunting rights, and a land base for the Metis people.

This file contains a part of a transcript of a portion of a sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at The Fern Resort, Orillia, Ontario. This part includes a presentation given by Gary Edgar at the Round Table discussion on Self-Sufficiency issues and economic development in the Aboriginal Community.

File contains a presentation by Chief Andrew Kirkness in English and Cree (translation provided in text). Kirkness discusses the historical relationship between Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal Canadians, land claims, intergovernmental affairs, the Constitution, the status of off reserve First Nations people, Education, nothern conditions, the Indian Act, economic issues, cultural issues, the importance of Elders to First Nations governance, and the situation of Aboriginal youth.

File contains a second presentation by Chief James Ross. Chief Ross discusses the Gwich'in people's land claim in the Northwest and Yukon Territories; their history; Treaty No. 11; and general economic and political issues facing the Gwich'in people. Following the presentation Chief Ross discusses some of the issues raised with the assembled Commissioners.

File contains a summary of the preceding presentation (which can be viewed on this site) entitled "Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples 115: Round Table No. 2," by rapporteur Pierre Trudel. Trudel states that "It seems to me that Non-Aboriginal and Aboriginal people are finally getting together. They are rather unanimous in targeting the federal government." Trudel also discusses taxation and competitiveness issues, common projects, land questions, the specific nature of the Oka claim, and the difference between the situation in Quebec and that in Western and other parts of Canada.

Discusses issues involved in the withdrawal from the Assembly of First Nations with indications that Treaty issues and land claims were central precipitating factors.

Seven photographs of First Nation Chiefs, government representatives and Lieutenant-Governor Sylvia Fedoruk at ceremonies for signing of the Land Entitlement Agreement at Wanuskewin. Roy Romanow, Bob Mitchell, Roland Crowe, Bill McKnight, Cliff Wright and Brian Mulroney are among the dignitaries.

Argues that focusing on Aboriginal rights as a cause of economic uncertainty fails to take into account the instability inherent in capitalism.

File contains agendas for cabinet meetings including discussions on the Indian Act amendments, indigenous mining regulations (as applicable to surrendered indigenous lands), and nominal lists of indigenous voters.

"Proceedings of the Fourth IPSSAS Seminar, Kuujjuaq, Nunavik, Canada, May 22 to June 2, 2006".

Discusses the 1796, Seven Nations Treaty, the context in which it was concluded, whether entered into lawfully, not ratified by congress, and its applicability to Mohawk land claims in 1974.

Presents a speech presented at the 11th Annual National Land Claims Workshop, October 2003.

Overview of Conference held in Iqaluit, Nunavut February 2009, which brought together stakeholders committed to economic development for brainstorming and planning.

Paper written for the Action Canada Northern Conference, Haida Gwaii, September 2012.

History Thesis (M.A.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University, 1999

Review has shown that every land claim and settlement is different in a variety of terms, so as a result aspects of these treaty settlements will not necessarily be applicable to British Columbia.

Discusses the negotiating problems between Aboriginal groups and mining companies and the need to develop a long-term vision about mineral development.

Geography Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Saskatchewan, 1995.

Examines difficulties encountered in claims issues and research and suggests Universities can help.

Uses three social movement theories to illustrate the contentious actions that sparked mobilization among Aboriginal communities.