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 by Greer Atkinson of the United Indian Councils, at a Round Table discussion of Self-Government.

File contains a presentation by Greg Johnson, a Micmac social worker from Hants County, Nova Scotia. Johnson discusses his hopes for the Commission, experiences growing up as an Aboriginal youth, relations with the Indian Agent and Department of Indian Affairs, his views on the Indian Act, sovereignty, governance, and prejudice.

File contains a presentation by Gregory Penashue expressing frustration with his years of "futile activism" on behalf of the Innu people of Labrador. He protests yearly funding cuts for a multitude of programs in Sheshatshiu and other neghboring communities that would keep Innu culture and language from extinction. He calls on the Commission to consider Innu culture and language important enough to preserve through proper funding. Following the presentation are remarks by the Commissioners.

This file consists of a presentation by Gus Ashawasega and Judi Hall focusing on housing for Aboriginals in Metropolitan Toronto. The Native Men's Residence is one of five urban Aboriginal housing organizations in Toronto perspective on Aboriginal housing in Toronto. Housing is required for families, singles, homeless, two-spirited peoples, seniors and the disabled. The federal government announced as of 1 January 1993 that new funding commitments for urban Aboriginal housing initiatives would no longer be provided.

File contains a presentation by Gwen Phillips Clement of the Ktunaxa Independent School System. Clement discusses a variety of educational concerns related to funding, taxation, cultural curriculum, language instruction, and related issues with reference to both the Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal people in British Columbia. Following the presentation are comments by Commissioners Dussault and Phillips.

File contains a presentation by Harold Prince relating to the overwhelming demand for housing on the Nak'azdli First Nation, due to Bill C-31 reinstatement, members returning home for economic reasons or upon completion of their education. He calls on the Commission to help secure more funding for proper housing for band members. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Harry Baikie focusing on economic development in the Happy Valley-Goose Bay region. He discusses the Trans-Labrador Highway, the industry of pilot training, the resolution of land claims in Labrador, and development of a forestry industry and hydro power. Following the discussion is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Harry Maksagak, whose organization supports territorial Aboriginal training and employment policies, and provides a territorial forum for discussion and possible adaptation of policy that will encourage programs and services for Aboriginal people seeking to enter the unique labour markets of the Northwest Territories. Citing census statistics, he calls on the Commission to help provide more funding for Aboriginal youth to obtain the necessary post-secondary education to fill urgently needed jobs.

File contains a presentation by Harry Sock, Director, Child and Family Services, Big Cove, New Brunswick. Sock discusses the effect of unemployment, lack of housing and social problems have on Aboriginal families on his home First Nation. Following the presentation is a discussion involving Harry Sock, Leon Sock and the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Harvey Thunderchild relating to high rates of illiteracy among Aboriginal inmates, and the high proportion of incarcerated Aboriginal people for crimes committed involving drugs and alcohol. He states that Aboriginal inmates are prevented from entering treatment programs due to a shortage of programs. He also expressed concern with Aboriginal young offenders lacking appropriate programs as well. He introduces Alfreda Trudeau.

The file contains a presentation by President Rocky Simpson of the Hay River Metis Nation. Simpson summarizes a group discussion and its' findings held to discuss a new relationship between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people of Canada, self-determination for Aboriginal peoples within Canada through self-government, economic self-sufficiency for Aboriginal people, and personal and collective healing for Aboriginal people and communities. Simpson makes a variety of recommendations to the Commission on these points.

This file contains a presentation by Henoch Obed focusing on his organization's mandate to reduce the percentage of substance abuse among the Inuit population of Labrador. The organization encourages and assists the Labrador Inuit to live independent lifestyles without the misuse and abuse of alcohol and/or other drugs by offering community-based programs in prevention, treatment and aftercare. Obed recommends to the Commission that the federal government continues to give the Labrador Inuit control over monies for service programs.

File contains a detailed presentation by Herb George focusing on Aboriginal rights and title. He discusses the effects of the McKinnon-McBride Commission of 1913-1915 and provides legal decisions that favor the Gitksan-Wet'suwet'en people in their present-day quest for self-government. Following the presentation is a lengthy question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

This file contains a presentation by Herman Saulis focusing on the injustices suffered by Canadian Aboriginal veterans upon returning home after the end of World War II. These veterans have not reached equalization regarding wartime contributions of benefits throughout the years. Saulis calls on the Commission to play an advocacy role on behalf of Aboriginal veterans to secure funding to create a non-profit Aboriginal veterans' association in New Brunswick. A brief question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Howard Restoule of the Southern Ontario Metis and Aboriginal Association that responds to a questionnaire sent by the Commission prior to the hearings. The questions involve topics such as acquiring a land base, self-government, the implementation of treaties, the constitutional and legal position of Metis people and off-reserve Aboriginals, the Indian Act and social issues. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the previous five presenters and the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation made by Garnet Angconeb for the Independent First Nations Alliance on the topic of the Canadian Justice System pertaining to Aboriginals in general as well as personal remarks referring to the Anishnawbe and their community identity and language. Also contained are comments and questions from the assembled Commissioners. Comments of the Commissioner-of-the-Day are translated to English from his own language.

File contains a presentation by seven members of the Indian Band Members of Faust Society, an organization representing registered band-listed treaty Indian people who live off-reserve. The presenters discuss numerous topics including the Faust local model government, land claims, hunting and trapping, Improvement District 17 and housing. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Irene Ness focusing on Aboriginal economic programs and Bill C-31 funding. She calls on the Commission to make housing funds available to Bill C-31 persons for use either on or off reserves as per personal situations. She also requests a review of Aboriginal economic programs to ensure the needs of Aboriginal people are met. She speaks personally of being denied program funds for her business despite meeting the required standards for funding. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

This file contains a presentation by Irene Tschernomor, Executive Director; Dr. Louis T. Montour and Keith LeClair of the Kateri Memorial Hospital Centre in Kahnawake. The speakers discuss a wide range of health-related topics, including pediatric services, holistic medicine, diabetes education prevention, physical activity to improve one's health and elder health care. A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.

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 Irma White-Pattmore, founder and president of the National Urban Aboriginal League (NUAL). NUAL's goal is to "provide a co-existing solution that supports the need for an adequate and comfortable relationship between Aboriginal peoples, the Canadian government and the non-Aboriginals of Canada. She calls for an Aboriginal Embassy in Canada that would provide programs and assistance to Aboriginal women, on-reserve people, Metis people, off-reserve people and Inuit.

File contains a presentation by Isabelle Smith relating to programs and services for disabled Aboriginal people in Saskatoon. She expresses frustration with the lack of funding for programs for health issues, employment, housing and education for her clientele. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Jack Harris, Member, House of Assembly, St. John's, Newfoundland. He introduces Clee Newhook, Leader, Newfoundland and Labrador New Democratic Party, who makes a brief statement. Harris is a Member of the House of Assembly for St. John's East district. He states that Aboriginal people in Newfoundland receive different treatment from their provincial government as compared to Aboriginals elsewhere in Canada.

File contains a presentation by Jack Houle that describes the difficulty of opening a business in Edmonton while being an off-reserve resident. Roadblocks for funding come from various Aboriginal organizations and his own First Nations. He calls on the Commission to help him secure funding. A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.

File contains a presentation by Jack McDonald, Port Alberni Native Council. McDonald discusses what it means to be a Metis in British Columbia, and the challenges that confront his people as well as what he characterizes as an ignorant government and populace when it comes to Metis issues. Following the presentation Commissioner Georges Erasmus discusses some issues of Metis identity in British Columbia with McDonald.

File contains a presentation by Jack Yard and John Farrington, members and fund-raisers for the Porcupine United Way. They make a video presentation to the Commission and discuss the 11 member agencies of the Porcupine United Way. They express hope that the Aboriginal community in Timmins and area will actively use the United Way's services, so there is help "for all those who need our help." A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.

File contains a presentation by Jacques Girardin of an unspecified local Chamber of Commerce. Girardin discusses the composition of his Chamber of Commerce, and its relations with the Manawan First Nation. The Chamber's territory includes the "whole northern part of the County Regional Municipality, Matawinie, St. Zenon, St. Michel and Manawan, and the unorganized territories." Girardin discusses the participation of Atikamekw organizations and businesses in the Chamber, as well as some its programs and philosophy.

File contains a presentation by James Kavana and Moses Koihok that first provides a brief history of Cambridge Bay. The presenters state that "we would have been better off out in our own hunting grounds away from the settlement" of Cambridge Bay but with the forced 1950s relocation of Inuit into the settlement created a culture and lifestyle crisis for those Inuit who were relocated. John Maksagak, Commissioner for the Day, adds some remarks about the history of Cambridge Bay and his experiences growing up in an alcohol-free environment.

File contains a presentation by James McNinch and Donna Doepker concerning the financial debt incurred by Metis students as they access post-secondary education. They call for "the reinstitution of the bursary program based on academic merit and financial need for students of Metis and non-status Indian ancestry." Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by James Murray that recommends that post-secondary institutions strike a task force on curricula to critically examine criteria of all courses, as there is no guarantee there would be any Aboriginal content taught at Brandon University. Murray states that lack of education "fosters ignorance of non-Aboriginal people toward Aboriginal people...which re-enforces racism."

File contains a presentation by James Panioyak that initially describes a harsh life in the bush for Inuit children pre-contact, but a fulfilling one as children learned to respect their parents, their elders and the land. By a person's late teens, survival skills had been learned and upon marriage, a man was capable of fishing and trapping to feed his family and a woman was able to make and repair clothing and to prepare and cook food. Panioyak hopes the Inuktitut language will not die out and believes that elders should be utilized to teach children and youth the old ways and language.

File contains a presentation by Jamie Farrell discussing the role of group homes in the rehabiliation of young offenders in Labrador. She states that often the youth need to escape a bad home life so they commit crimes and enter the group home, often a safer environment than their own home. Farrell also discusses the high rate of suicide among Labradorian youth. Following the discussion is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

This file contains a presentation by Jan Reimer, Mayor of Edmonton, Alberta, who first provides the Commissioners with a recent issue of a publication titled Tracking the Trends. The publication provides an overview of socio-demographic information and monitors significant trends that will affect the delivery of human services in Edmonton. A recent issue featured Edmonton's Aboriginal population. Reimer lists a number of Aboriginal groups and organizations in Edmonton who attempt to help Aboriginals adjust to urban life and states that more work needs to be done.

File contains a presentation by Jane Tennyson, Community Studies Researcher, Corporate Relations Planning and Research Department, Ontario Hydro. Tennyson's group is responsible for addressing the cultural environment of a proposed project site and to take an active interest with Aboriginal issues and concerns in the environmental impact assessment process. Her group seeks to promote employment for Aboriginals for future projects and to be aware of opposition to projects that may alter the landscape negatively and affect Aboriginal life negatively.

The file contains a presentation by Jason Goodstriker. Goodstriker, President of the Native American Students' Association at the University of Lethbridge, discusses that organization's activities specifically what they have been doing for the past year. Goodstriker discusses Aboriginal enrollment rates, financial assistance, the importance of peer support, employment opportunities as they pertain to post-secondary education, and his organizations work with the Canadian Federation of Students.

This file contains a presentation by Jeff Loenen, Deloras Huff and James Mackay relating to the Native Brotherhood of the Edmonton Maximum Security Institution. The Native Brotherhood is incorporated presently under the Societies Act in Alberta as a not-for-profit organization whose objectives are to promote native culture and spirituality at the Institution. The group offers sweat lodge ceremonies, drumming ceremonies, elders' meetings and family support groups. But with the recent change in status of the Institution from medium to maximum security, a number of programs have been cut.

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.

The file contains a presentation by Mary Guilbeault and Jennifer Wood of the Winnipeg First Nations Tribal Council. Guilbeault and Wood discuss their organization's mandate, composition, and operations in Manitoba. Specifically they address concerns such as employment, off-reserve people's reasons for leaving, rights issues, overrepresentation in prisons, racism and discrimination, funding concerns, and identity issues. Following the presentation Commsisioner Wilson and Chartrand discuss some of the issues raised with the two presenters.

File contains a presentation by Jerry Noskiye that first details the history of the Loon River Cree Band. He seeks compensation from logging and oil companies working in the area, resulting in the destruction of traplines and the livelihood of band members. He calls on the Commission to assist in negotiate the band's land claim and to force logging and oil companies to consult with the band before starting work in the area. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Jerry Taylor relating to concerns of the African-Canadian community in Nova Scotia and the comparisons between that group and the Aboriginal peoples in Canada in "battling the ravages of racism." A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation, along with remarks by Valerie Firth, a previous speaker.

File contains a presentation by Jerry Wetzel of Conne River, Newfoundland, describing in detail the history of the Mi'kmaq people in Newfoundland and the French in the 1700s. He debunks the "Mi'kmaq Mercenary Myth," a common myth that the Mi'kmaq people were brought to Newfoundland by the French to exterminate the Beothuks. Wetzel states that the Royal Proclamation of 1763 has been used by the Canadian government to "try to oppress the Mi'kmaq people and to destroy, to usurp their lands and destroy their self-government.

File contains a presentation by Jill Harris that summarizes the presentations of the previous four speakers. She notes that students from the Aboriginal Government class at the University of Victoria are present and feels their presence represents the action being taken by Aboriginal governments to work for a better life for Aboriginal youth. Harris believes that "reconciliation between our Aboriginal governments and the Canadian governments must be a priority". A discussion between the presenters and Commissioners follows the presentation.

File contains a presentation by Jim Campbell, resident of Saturna Island, British Columbia. He states that despite the best intentions of government, "Many times in the past the individual has been disregarded" when laws are made. Campbell believes that "[F]reedom of the individual in a civil society...to realize his or her full potential is a worth object for all of us." He believes the Canadian government has obligations to Aboriginal peoples and until they are met, the potential of further conflict will remain.

File contains a presentation by Jim Learning focusing on recognition and acceptance of the Labrador Metis people. His organization works for "equity of the treatment of our our people in Labrador through the land claims process." He states that the Canadian government must not longer continue to deny the rights of the Labrador Metis people. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

The file contains a presentation by Jim MacLatchie and Lisa Allagaier, John Howard Society of Canada. MacLatchie and Allagaier discuss the composition, mandate, and work of the society with Canada's prison population and particularly with respect to Aboriginal prisoners. They discuss the importance of establishing Aboriginal representation amongst prison staff, and particularly the important role of Elders in the penal environment. Following the presentation the assembled Commissioners thank the presenters and comment on the presentation.

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.

File contains a presentation by Joan Ryan focusing on education for the Gitksan-Wet'suwet'en people, including programs offering fishery, carpentry, forestry and court worker training. She calls on the Commission to ensure continued funding for programs that educate Gitksan-Wet'suwet'en persons and return them back to their communities to help others. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

This file contains a presentation by Joanne De Laurentiis relating to Aboriginals and Canadian banking. As Aboriginal communities continue to acquire funds through treaty negotiations or land claims settlements, and as Aboriginal people continue to develop new business and entrepreneurial skills, banks want opportunities to respond to those new business demands. The banking industry is taking some steps to work with Aboriginal peoples by sponsoring a number of business training programs, providing loans to viable Aboriginal enterprises, and also providing non-lending services as well.

The file contains a presentation by Joe Karetak, Inuit Tapirisat of Canada. Karetak discusses programs to deal with suicide issues in the Keewatin Region of the Northwest Territories (now Nunavut). Karetak also discusses some of the language difficulties involved with operating the Keewatin Crisis Line, participation of elders, and costs.

File contains a presentation by Joe Major of the Southern Ontario Metis and Aboriginal Association focusing on health and justice issues and sport and recreation. He introduces the next speaker, Agnes Lidstone.