File contains a presentation by Mr. Ron Nadeau of Native Communications Inc. Nadeau discusses the history of his organization and the importance of Aboriginal broadcasting, government funding, broadcasting in the Cree language, and their relationship with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Following the presentation is a discussion between Nadeau and Commissioner Blakeney and Paul Chartrand on broadcasting in northern Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

File contains a presentation by Ron Swain of the Southern Ontario Metis and Aboriginal Association focusing on Metis self-government. He provides a brief history of the Metis in Canada. Swain states that the Metis are recognized as Aboriginal people in the Canadian Constitution, but do not have any negotiated rights. He introduces the next speaker, Sheilagh Chief.

File contains a presentation by Rosemarie Kuptana, President, Inuit Tapirisat of Canada. Kuptana discusses the Royal Commission and her organizations hopes for it, as well as some structural concerns they have with it related to incorporating Inuit perspectives. Kuptana discusses the Inuit's experiences with land claims and modern treaty processes, and tells the Commission that there is much that can be learned from it.

This file contains a portion of a transcript of a sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at Regina Friendship Centre, Regina, Saskatchewan. This portion of the Commission includes presentations made by Roy Bird, Clive Diller and Del Anaquod of the Saskatchewan Indian Equality Foundation, concerning economic development, loans and banking in the Aboriginal Community. Questions from the assembled commissioners are also included.

File contains a presentation by Roy Littlechief focusing on the misuse of power by the chief and band council relating to his unidentified First Nations. Accountability is needed with money and policies and he says reserve residents are denied better housing because of the greed.

File contains a presentation by Rt. Hon. Len Simms, Leader of the Official Opposition in Newfoundland. Simms focuses on Aboriginal self-government. He provides the history of Newfoundland as a province and sees parallels between that and Aboriginal self-government. Following the presentation is a discussion with the Commission members.

File contains a presentation by Russ Brown, Battlefords Tribal Council. Brown makes a statement on behalf of the Battlefords Tribal Council asking that they be allowed to make a written submission to the Commission due to their participation in the fall assembly of First Nations in Saskatoon and its discussions on the recent failure of the Charlottetown Accord. Georges Erasmus accepts offer of a written submission.

File contains multiple presentations on the topic of Gaming related issues. The first presentation is by Mary Star and Gary Courchene of the Sakeeng Gaming Commission (pg. 82-84). Star discusses the creation of the Gaming Commission and the hope that proceeds could be used for the betterment of the community. Star also discusses conflict with the provincial government over their plans. Courchene introduces himself but declines to comment on these issues.

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 Sandra Delaronde, Vice President of the National Action Committee on the Status of Women. Delaronde discusses the status of Aboriginal women in their relationship within Aboriginal organizations, and Aboriginal communities, as well as offering a few suggestions to the Commission. Following the presentation is a discussion between Delaronde and Commissioners Blakeney and Chartrand on some of the issues raised.

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.

The file contains a presentation by Sandra Delaronde, President, Metis Women of Manitoba. Delaronde discusses the history of the Metis people, land issues, issues with curricula, the need for rights recognition, social problems, environmental issues, self-governance,and international women's issues. Following the presentation Commissioners Chartrand and Wilson discuss some of the issues raised with Delaronde.

File contains a presentation by Sandra Green, First Nations Women's Group. Green, a member of the Haida Nation and Eagle Clan, discusses the mandate and issues of the First Nations Women's Group of Prince Rupert. Their mandate is to "preserve the First Nations family in a healthy and positive way" and their issues include "social issues of family violence, alcohol and drug abuse, sexual abuse" AIDS, and high youth mortality generally. Green goes on to highlight a number of root causes of these problems, and recommend solutions to the Commission.

This file contains a presentation by members of the Coalition Against First Nations Genocide, a group representing the grassroots of First Nations across Canada.

This file contains a presentation by Sarah Webb relating to the citizens' advisory committee, called Sapitjigiajet, whose purpose is to maintain open communication between the community and the Nain RCMP detachment. She describes the positive changes in Nain and area during the three years of the group's existence. A question-and-answer period with the Commissioners follows the presentation.

File contains a presentation by Senator Head of the Metis Senate of Manitoba, followed by remarks by Senator Fortunate Guiboche of the same body. Head discusses the need for a level playing field for Metis people, and Guiboche goes on to make a series of remarks and observations on the importance and role of the Royal Commission, as well as his expectations of it. Following this is a wide-ranging discussion between the Metis Senators and the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Serena Francis, born in Big Cove and now a social worker with Child and Family Services in Big Cove, New Brunswick. Francis wanted to meet with members of the Family Respect Project, also located in Big Cove, to formulate a presentation but were unable to do so.

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 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.

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."

This file contains a presentation by Silpa Edmunds discussing a number of concerns including increasing doctor and dentist visits, lack of housing and employment and social problems in Nain. A short question-and-answer period with the Commissioners follows the presentation.

File contains a presentation by Simeon Tshakapesh, Youth Council and Tribal Police. Tshakapesh discusses the lack of control Innu youth feel over their own lives as the root of many of the serious social problems plaguing Davis Inlet. Tshakapesh stresses the need for community based education, treatment programs, and support groups. He discusses the rights of youth, need for recreational facilities, relocation to a new and better village site, funding, community policing, language and culture issues.

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 Stan Louttit that states the ultimate goal for First Nations organizations in Canada is to "attain a self-government structure suitable to their unique values and traditions." Louttit says that water claims should be an issue as well as land claims. Following the presentation is a lengthy question-and-answer session with Viola Robinson and Georges Erasmus, Commissioners, and Commissioner For the Day Chief Thomas Archibald.

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 Stanley Njootli relating to hunting and trapping, the Porcupine Caribou Management Agreement, land claims and self-government in the Yukon. A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.

File contains a presentation by Steeve Mathias, Director General, Algonquin Economic Development. Mathias, a representative of the largest Algonquin institution for economic development, discusses Algonquin economic concerns. Mathias discusses the current situation of the Algonquin economy, the steps he sees as being necessary to invigorate it, and some of the problems he sees with federal programs designed to aid it. Following his presentation Mathias discusses some of these issues with Commissioner Dussault, Polson, Blakeney and Robinson.

File contains opening remarks by Elder Stephen Augustine who explains the significance of the sweetgrass and drum ceremony. Augustine also provides a history of the Mi'kmaq First Nation of Big Cove, New Brunswick. Commissioners Rene Dussault, Mary Sillett and the honorary Commissioners, Elder Anthony Francis and grandson Justin Francis, are introduced. File also contains opening remarks by Commission Co-Chairs Rene Dussault and Mary Sillett about the history and purpose of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, and what the Commission hopes to accomplish.

File contains a presentation by Steven Jakesta that discusses the Cassiar mine closure scheduled for late 1992. There is no other economic base for the area and Jakesta foresees the deterioration of existing infrastructure in Good Hope Lake once the mine closes. He calls for funding to assist the town in maintaining services and programs. Following the presentation is a brief discussion with Commissioner Allan Blakeney and Blakeney's closing remarks.

File contains presentations by Mary John Sr., Ernie John, Celina John and Scott McIntosh focusing on working with the Aboriginal youth of the Stoney Creek area in teaching traditions and folklore. The Society has also attempted to encourage economic development with trapping and ranching on the First Nations but has encountered roadblocks due to a lack of funding from the federal government. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

This file contains a presentation by Susan K. Horne who provides a brief history of her organization. The mandate of the Foundation is to help fund and support health care services at the community level, with the focus on areas that are not covered or not fully covered by conventional government funding sources. Horne states that financial support from the Kahnawake community makes up for occasional shortfalls in money to buy inexpensive imaging equipment and vehicles for transportation, but the majority of funding is from the federal government.

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 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 contains a presentation by spokesperson Mario Paradis, and Rene Boudreault, of the Association des Metis et Indiens hors reserves du Quebec Inc. Paradis and Boudreault discuss the status of non-Status, Métis and off-reserve Status Indians in Quebec. They also address the issue of urbanization, and present a history of their organization and its goals. The assembled Commissioners discuss some of the points raised with them, particularly with regard to eastern Métis identity.

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 Association of Friendship Centres given by Ivan Cody concerning the distribution of social services to the Aboriginal Community. Questions from the assembled commissioners are also present.

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.

The file contains a presentation by the Concerned Fishermen, Chairman Robert Ross. Chairman Ross discusses his Aboriginal fishermen's organizational viewpoint regarding the environment, conservation harvesting, marketing of their own fish, and tourism. Ross makes a variety of complaints regarding the fishing operations of the Freshwater Fish Corporation on Great Slave Lake, alleging serious environmental and labour abuses.

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.

This file contains a presentation by Matthew Coon Come, Grand Chief of the Crees of James Bay; Romeo Saganash, Deputy Grand Chief; Chief Billy Diamond; and Bill Nemagoose, Executive Director, Grand Council of the Crees of Quebec. Their presentation focuses on the proposed James Bay Phase II, consisting of two hydroelectric projects: the Great Whale River project and the Nottaway-Broadback Rupert project. The damming, flooding and construction done during the first phase of the project in the 1970s destroyed Aboriginal fishing and hunting grounds and animal migration paths.

File contains a presentation by Joan Moore, Atikamekw Health and Social Services Council. Moore delivers a presentation entitled "Autopsy of a Genocide" arguing that the current social problems faced by the Attikamek people are consequences of colonialism. Following the presentation Commissioners Dussault and Robinson discuss some of the issues raised with Moore.

File contains a presentation by Community Worker Monik Sioui from the Kitcisakik Welfare Society. Sioui gives a brief history of her organization which services a community made up of 18 camps spread throughout Laverendrye Park, Quebec (the community has no reserve). Themes Sioui addresses are the delivery of health and social services, relations with the province, and staffing issues. Commissioners Dussault, Robinson, and Blakeney ask questions and comment during the presentation.

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 Metis Local 87 given by Chris Blondeau-Perry concerning the inherent rights of the Aboriginal Community. Questions from the assembled commissioners are also present.

File contains a presentation by Chief Remy Kurtness, Yvon Parent, and Pierre Gill of the Montagnais Council of Lac-Saint-Jean, Quebec. The presenters discuss their organization's view of Montagnais self-governance, their inherent rights, land issue, and related matters. Following their presentation the assembled Commissioners engage them in a discussion on these issues.

File contains a presentation by Louis Bordeleau of the Native Aid and Friendship Centre of Senneterre. Bordeleau discusses the operations of his friendship centre which deals with support to drug addicts, help for the disadvantaged, liaison services in education and health care, organization of recreational activities, inter-ethnic awareness-raising, participation in socio-economic development, and the people they service who come from the Cree (50 percent), Algonquin (28 percent), and Atikamekw (22 percent) cultural backgrounds.

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 Laura Wynn, Executive Director of the Nishnawbe-Gamik Friendship Centre. Wynn discusses the Friendship Centre itself in terms of funding and service arrangements, and delivers their position on issues of land claims, self-governance, urban issues, and health issues. Following the presentation the assembled Commissioners discuss some of these issues with Wynn.

File contains a presentation by Serge Lefebrve, representative of the Central Council for Northwest Quebec, CNTU, an affiliated body of the Confederation of National Trade Unions. Lefebrve discusses his labour organizations relationship with the Cree and Algonquin peoples of Northwestern Quebec, a relationship he recounts as beginning in a common front to defeat a plan to store PCBs in the region.

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.

This file consists of a presentation by seven members of the Southern Ontario Metis and Non Status Indian Association: Tony Belcourt, Audrey Mayes, Kim Coyle, Dave Jacobs, Paul Day, Trevor Minnie and Christi Belcourt. Their presentation discusses the "inequality being subjected on the majority of Aboriginal people in Canada, the Metis and off-reserve Indian population." The presentation focuses on the Indian Act and other government policies.