Law & Justice

File contains a summary of the preceding round table discussion on the Oka Crisis of 1990, and related issues of Aboriginal Non-Aboriginal relations in the Oka area by Pierre Trudel, rapporteur. Trudel highlights a variety of themes in the discussion by Non-Aboriginal people which shows the difference in perception of the root causes of the Oka crisis between the Mohawk and Quebecois populations. For a full transcript of the round table discussion see Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples 115: Round table No. 1 on this site.

File contains a presentation by Professor James Dumont. Dumon discusses "native values" as opposed to "white values" based on his research, and then applies his finding to the operation of the justice system.

File contains a presentation by Professor Patricia Monture-Okanee. She discusses her identity as a Mohawk woman and as a lawyer, about different conceptions of justice, and about patriarchy and colonialism.

File contains a presentation by Regena Crowchild, President of the Indian Association of Alberta. Crowchild discusses Aboriginal lands in Canada, and argues that the Canadian government uses a racist approach to land claims questions based on the outdated notion of terra nulius. To ameliorate this, Crowchild suggests the Canadian government must recognize "Indigenous ownership to lands and resources." Crowchild then discusses Treaties and the need to discuss the benefits that non-Aboriginal people enjoy from the Treaty relationship.

File contains a presentation by Richard McKay, Traditional Resource User. McKay covers a wide variety of topics related to his life as a trapper and fisherman in northern Saskatchewan. McKay expresses frustration by the uneven application of vague resource laws towards Aboriginal peoples by the provincial government, and the unwillingness of the government to consult or make policy in colloboration with trappers. McKay also expresses his problems with the regulations regarding land use in the north, and how they seemingly benefit Americans and other outsiders more than the actual northerners.

File contains a presentation by Robert Sam, Councillor from the Songhees Band. Sam has five areas of concern: employment equality, child protection, Treaty rights, justice reform and education. Sam answers questions from Co-Commissioner for the Day Chief David Paul and from Co-Chair Georges Erasmus.

File contains a presentation by Roderick A. MacDonald, Professor of Law at McGill University. MacDonald discusses "to what extent would the process of adaptation of the existing system of Canadian law involve reforms beneficial of society such as the poor, women and cultural minorities."

This file contains a presentation by Rosemary Brown focusing on education, the First Nations Chartered Lands Act and the Lubicon Lake Cree land claim. Education funding cutbacks are threatening to close the Plains Indian Cultural Survival School, an important facility for Aboriginal youth education in Calgary. The Lands Act will empower Chiefs and Council to request that reserve lands by privatized and available for mortgages, and Brown requests that the Act be scrapped.

This file contains a presentation by Sam Horton whose organization recently acknowledged that "Ontario Hydro is really a company which failed to respect the Aboriginal people as individuals and nations with a proud history that were inhabitants of this land since time immemorial." Horton states that the presentation is more a status report on Ontario Hydro's experiences in working with Aboriginal people in Ontario.

File contains a presentation by Samuel Stevens. Stevens, representing the government of the Northwest Territories, discusses initiatives that his government has taken with regard to Aboriginal people and the justice system.

The file contains a presentation by Wes Whetung and Sanford Cottrelle of Newberry House (a halfway house). Whetung and Cottrelle discuss the prison system and Aboriginal offenders offering a comparative view of Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal halfway houses, compensation for former residential school residents, accessible moneys to implement both cultural and non-cultural programs for children and youth, and stereotypes of Aboriginal people in text-books. Commissioners Dussault and Sillett discuss some of the issues raised with the two presenters.

File contains a presentation by Sharon McIvor, Spokesperson, Native Women's Association of Canada. McIvor gives an overview of the history and condition of Aboriginal women in Canada, who at the time of the Commission made up 52% of the Aboriginal population.

File contains a presentation by Steven Katz. Katz discusses justice issues in Canada, and the need for an overhaul of the system due to systemic discrimination toward Aboriginal peoples. Following the presentation Katz discusses some of these concerns with Commissioners Chartrand and Sillet.

File contains a presentation by the Abitibiwinni Band (Pikogan), Chief Harry McDougal and Edward Kistabish. The Band representatives discuss their land claim, and their unique position as the only Algonquin band in the area who are signatories to Treaty 9. In addition to this they discuss how some members of their communities are subject to the James Bay agreement, which makes for a complex legal situation for their people. Following the presentation the two presenters discuss some of these issues with the assembled Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by the Council of the Huron-Wendat Nation. Participants include Grand Chief Jocelyne Gros Louis, Deputy Chief Francois Vincent, and Legal Adviser Michel Pouliot. Gros Louis presents a brief on the case for Huron-Wendat self-determination and self governance, and comments on its economic and political components. Gros Louis makes reference to the Murray Treaty her people made with British Govenor James Murray of Quebec. Pouliot elaborates on the land claim concerns of the Huron people.

File contains a presentation by Raymond Laliberte and Sylvie Paquerot of the First Nations Support Committee. Laliberte gives an overview of the organization and its history which is composed entirely of non-Aboriginal Quebecois and functions as a pressure group making statements on current events regarding Aboriginal-non-Aboriginal relations in Quebec. Following his presentation, the assembled Commissioners discuss some of the issues raised with Laliberte and Paquerot.

File contains a presentation by the Gaming Commission by Councillor Ed Hayden in charge of Economic Development and Gaming, Carl Roberts, and General Manager Ernie James of the Gaming Commission. The three presenters discuss relations with the province, gaming developments on the First Nation, Treaty rights, self government, self determination, economic and jurisdictional concerns. Following the presentation the assembled Commissioners discuss some of the issues raised with the presenters.

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

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.

File contains a presentation by the Regroupement des Montagnais hors reserve de Sept-Iles/Maliotenam. Presenter Raymond Hamilton accompanied by Raymond Mainville, and Merilda St-Onge, presents a short history of the movement which seeks to represent off-reserve Indians who were registered with the Department of Indian Affairs since 1985. Hamilton discusses the lack of assistance for his people, education, health, housing, and other concerns.

File contains a presentation by Thomas Loft. Loft, presenting as an individual, discusses his views on the Commission and its work. Loft argues that the problems facing Aboriginal peoples have been over studied in the past with few concrete results, and analyzes a speech by former Prime Minister Trudeau with regard to First Nations issues, and particularly with reference to citizenship issues. Loft also emphasizes the need for the Commission to talk to individual Aboriginal people, rather than just political or organization officials.

File contains a presentation by Tom Sampson, Doug Campbell, and Bob Gillen. Sampson introduces Doug Campbell and Bob Gillen. Campbell gives a conceptual framework for the work their group has done on south Vancouver Island, discussing his work in judicial education with the Western Judicial Education Centre. Campbell discusses the need to form personal relationships and trust in reforming the justice system, and some traditional Salish concepts.

The file contains a presentation by Tony Hall, Professor of Native American Studies Education, University of Lethbridge. Hall discusses his interpretation of the Commission's role and powers, Treaty right issues (particularly as they pertain to Treaty 7), International law, Federal-Provincial-Aboriginal governmental relations, the Oldman River dispute between the Peigan and the Canadian and Alberta governments, and a host of related issues. Following the presentation Commissioner Erasmus discusses some of the issues raised with Hall.

File contains a presentation by Tony Mandamin. Mandamin (a lawyer) discusses the legal system in Canada and Aboriginal societies' interactions with it. Mandamin highlights associated issues such as Aboriginal over-representation in the penal system, and a lack of cultural appropriateness in legal proceedings. Following the presentation is a discussion between Mandamin and Commissioners Blakeney and Chartrand on some of these issues.

File contains a presentation by Vernon Roote, Deputy Grand Chief of the Union of Ontario Indians. Roote's presentation topic if "Building a Nation" and he discusses "the big topic of nationhood and sovereignty." Roote highlights some of the opinions gathered from a conference the past August held in Garden River, Ontario from the viewpoints of "the political people right down to the grassroots people" concerned with the topic of Anishnabek nationhood.

File contains a presentation by Violet Monday, Wife of the Chief Councillor of the Ucluelet First Nation for Health Affairs. Monday reads a presentation compiled by the First Nations' family care worker and health worker for the Commission.

File contains a presentation by Walter Madonick who states that past educational policies destroyed generations of Aboriginals, and that "education being a right to Aboriginal peoples has to be constitutionally protected." He also briefly mentions the Aboriginal Justice Inquiry.

File contains a presentation by Wilson Plain. Plain, an Aboriginal Community Liaison and Resource Co-ordinator with Corrections Canada discusses his own work, community based justice, and rehabilitation concerns. Following the presentation Commissioner Erasmus discusses some of the issues raised with Plain.

File contains a presentation by Frank McKay, Gerry Wesley, and Elder Jowin Quequish of Windigo First Nations. McKay discusses how the Windigo First Nations Council represents the First Nations of Sachigo Lake, Bearskin Lake, North Caribou Lake, Cat Lake, New Slate Falls, and New Saugeen in Northwestern Ontario.

File contains a presentation by Zebedee Nungak. Nungak discusses traditional justice amongst the Inuit, and the impact of colonial justice systems on their communities.

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 of the Regina Friendship Centre and Urban Indians of Regina given by Gordon Westeste concerned with the distribution of social services to the Aboriginal Community in Regina.

This file contains a transcript of a part of a portion of a sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at Prince George, British Columbia. This part includes a presentation of the Nechako Fraser Junction Metis Association by Jim Pavich concerning National and Provincial concerns of the Metis community. Questions from the assembled Commissioners follow.

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 Louise Thompson and Joyce King-Thompson of the Akwesasne Justice Department, on the subject of the Akwesasne court system.

File contains a presentation by Donna Sears and Bernice Ireland on behalf of the Atenlos Women's Group. Sears discusses the "epidemic" of violence in Aboriginal communities, particularly with regard to family violence.

The file contains a presentation on behalf of the Blood Tribe Tribal Government External Affairs Committee by Les Healy. Healy outlines the history of the Blood (Kainai) people in their traditional territories, the concepts informing their understanding of the Treaty 7 relationship, their rejection of the Charlottetown Accord Canadian Constitutional proposal, and makes a series of recommendations to the Commission to enhance the Treaty relationship. Following the presentation is a comment by Commissioner Georges Erasmus.

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.

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 Justice, Charlene Belleau. Belleau, Family Violence Co-ordinator of the Cariboo Tribal Council, discusses justice issues with reference to Secwepemc communities, and makes a variety of recommendations to the Commission on these matters.

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.

The file contains a presentation on behalf of the Treaty 7 Tribal Council by Gregg Smith, Dorothy First Rider, and Chief Roy Whitney. Smith discusses the organizations activities representing Treaty 7 First Nations, and its relations with the federal government. Smith also gives a video presentation (not included in the transcript). Smith makes a variety of recommendations to the Committee with respect to self-governance, Treaty rights and responsibilities.

The file contains a presentation on behalf of the Westbank Indian Band by Tom Lindley. Lindley discusses difficulties with the Indian Act rules for band governance, disputes within the community and the desire to recall the band representatives, issues with taxation and non-Aboriginal people living on reserve, and concerns with self-government negotiations underway. Following the presentation Commissioner Mary Sillett discusses some of the issues raised with Lindley, after which the day's sitting of the Commission is adjourned with a closing prayer.

The file contains two presentations on behalf of University College of the Cariboo by Adrian Kershaw, Jane Teed, Marilyn James and Lisa Allgaier. Kershaw, Dean of Developmental and Regional Programs at the University, discusses Affiliation and Accrediation Agreements, and the critical role of Aboriginal control over post-secondary education for self-determination. Following his presentation Commissioner Mary Sillett discusses some of the issues raised with Kershaw.

File contains a presentation on Saskatchewan Justice by Annette Montgrand and Robert Woods. Mongtrand discusses property comepnsation by offenders on social assistance, and Saskatchewan Justice's work with parollees, the need for increased resources, family, and community support. Montgrand also discusses the need for distinct programming for nothern residents in the provincial context.

This file contains a transcript of a portion of a sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at The Fern Resort, Orillia, Ontario. This portion includes a presentation made on the topic of the Extinguishment of Treaty Rights by Roger Obonsawin. Also included are remarks made by Sherry Lawson, moderator and the Commissioners Bertha Wilson ans Mary Sillett.

File contains remarks by Verlin James. James expresses his agreement with the views already expressed, and then a discussion begins between Commissioner Wilson, Matthew Quequish, Karyn Cromarty, and James on justice issues.

File contains a presentation by the Reverend Verna Jebb and Mr. Ron Buck of the Moose Lake Bible Group. Jebb and Buck discuss some of the social problems afflicting their community including gas sniffing, a lack of recreational opportunities for youth, alcholism and other substance abuse, illicit drugs, gambling, violent crime, property crime, and the need for community based funding. Following the presentation is a short discussion between the presenters and Commissioners Blakeney and Chartrand on the issues covered, as well as community policing and police resources.

File contains an open round table discussion on Aboriginal justice issues in Canada with 34 participants. The theme of the discussion is whether the existing justice system can be remodelled to fit the needs of Aboriginal peoples, and examining the development of culturally appropriate dispute resolution mechanisms. Following the discussion is a closing prayer (pg. 548).

File contains an open round table discussion on Aboriginal justice issues in Canada with 24 participants. The theme of the discussion is the creation of a separate Aboriginal justice system(s), what such a system(s) would deal with, and whether it would be possible to establish such a system(s) under the current Constitutional framework.

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 Matilda Snache at the Round Table discussion on Healing issues(Body, Mind and Soul) in the Aboriginal Community.

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 comments made by the representatives of the Royal Commission, Bertha Wilson and Mary Sillett concerning the presentation made during the Round Table discussion on Healing issues(Body, Mind and Soul) in the Aboriginal Community.