Rights

Attempts to define indigenous, indigenous rights, inherent rights, treaty rights, community rights, and other legal aspects of the Constitution.

Describes a community exchange between Guatemala and Belize that seeks to raise awareness and understanding of the right to Free, Prior and Informed Consent.

Looks at the progress towards commitments made at the 1992 UN Conference on Environment and Development and discusses the importance of cultural and biological diversity to support sustainable development policies.

Looks at the past decade in the United Nations and how getting Indigenous leaders to the UN and other forums has changed lives in Africa. To access this article, scroll down to page 40.

Discusses Aboriginal groups' viewpoints on the Constitution Act, 1982 and how readings of it by the Supreme Court of Canada varied from the Aboriginal interpretation. Chapter 14 from Contested Constitutionalism: Reflections on the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms edited by James B. Kelly, Christopher P. Manfredi.

Call to action states: "We call upon the federal government to establish multi-year funding for community-based youth organizations to deliver programs on reconciliation and establish a national network to share information and best practices."

Discusses how Robert Houle communicates with his Aboriginal heritage by relaying personal and cultural histories in his work.

Discusses a brief submitted to the Supreme Court in 1997 which distorts the language from the court's 1886 United States v. Kagama decision, and disregards tribal values and traditions. Reprint from Indian Country Today.

Discusses the factors contributing to the inclusion of Indigenous doctors and institutional change into the health care system.

Study conducted on the Chimane Amerindians in Bolivia's rain forest had two tentative conclusions: conservation is enhanced when land rights of Indigenous peoples are protected and high private discount rates do not necessarily increase deforestation.

RCAP 113 contains files for a sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at Kahnawake, Quebec. This sitting of the Commission includes presentations relating to economic development, women's issues, education and health care.

File contains a discussion paper by Robert Doucette, Don Kossick, Marlene Larocque, and Emil Bell. The first three presenters discuss their work with CUSO, the Canadian University Services Overseas, an International Development organization confronting what they term "structural apartheid in colonial countries including Canada. Included in this discussion is public education on institutional racism. Bell discusses the particular problems faced by people in prostitution and the lack of support services available for them.

RCAP 133 contains files for a sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at Hotel Bonaventure-Hilton, Outremont Room, Montreal, Quebec. This sitting of the Commission includes presentations relating to forestry, women's rights, land claims, self-government and tourism.

RCAP 141a contains a transcript of a portion of a sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at Prince George, British Columbia. This portion includes presentations of individuals dealing with various topics concerning self-sufficiency and Aboriginal self-government; social issues confronting Aboriginal families; Aboriginal health issues; concerns of the Metis people provincially and nationally; youth activities and concerns; relationship with the RCMP and the Aboriginal Community; and finally the right of Aboriginals in British Columbia.

RCAP 151 contains a transcript of a portion of a sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at Vancouver, British Columbia. This portion includes opening remarks from Elder Vincent Stogan and moderator Lou Desmarais. Also included in this portion are presentations of individuals and groups dealing with various topics concerning treaty rights; self-sufficiency and Aboriginal self-government; economic development and housing issues; Metis issues; education and employment; legal issues and the justice system; health systems and services and social issues confronting Aboriginal women.

RCAP 153 contains a round table discussion from a sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at the Winnipeg Convention Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba, on Wednesday, June 2, 1993.

RCAP 157 contains a transcript of a Special Consultation sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at the Little Wound School, in Kyle, South Dakota, United States of America. Commissioner Georges Erasmus explains the purpose of the Commission's visit to the Lakota as addressing cross-border issues for peoples like the Dakota-Lakota-Nakota whose territory lies on both sides of the Canada-U.S. Boundary. Issues discussed include hunting, fishing, trapping, land, jurisdiction, the Jay Treaty and mobility rights, and other issues of international significance.

RCAP 163 contains a transcript of the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at the Crystal Palace Convention Centre, Moncton, New Brunswick. Subjects discussed are housing, Aboriginal war veterans, women's rights and self-government.

RCAP 165 contains a transcript of the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at the Lodge Hotel, Kelowna, British Columbia. The file contains a variety of presentations by Okanagan and Stolo First Nations.

RCAP 172 contains a transcript of the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at the Citadel Inn, Ottawa, Ontario, Monday, June 28, 1993. Participants present on the High Arctic Relocation followed by a panel discussion on Canadian Sovereingty issues.

RCAP 174 contains a transcript of the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at the Citadel Inn, Ottawa, Ontario, Wednesday, June 30, 1993. Participants present on the High Arctic Relocation, related Inuit, and Canadian sovereignty issues.

RCAP 175 contains a transcript of the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at Boardroom, Fifth Floor, Monday July 5, 1993. Participants Andrew Orkin Nancy Carpenter present on the High Arctic Relocation, related Inuit, and Canadian Sovereignty issues.

RCAP 176 contains a transcript of a sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at The Citadel Inn, Ottawa, Ontario. The format is two informal round table discussions on education. Preceding the discussions are two presentations focusing on the topic.

RCAP 23 contains files from the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at The Long House, Teslin, Yukon. This sitting of the Commission contains presentations by on a variety of subjects such as land claims and self-government, Inuit health care, and the impact of residential schools. Each submission can be viewed individually on this site.

RCAP 26 contains files from the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at Watson Lake, Yukon. This sitting of the Commission contains presentations by on a variety of subjects such as land claims and self-government, Inuit education, employment and housing. Each presentation can be viewed individually on this site.

File contains closing remarks by Allan Blakeney and Viola Robinson, Commissioners. Blakeney summarizes today's presentations as giving a strong message of concern about treaty and Aboriginal rights and the fact that these are being ignored by the Canadian government.

File contains closing remarks by Justice Sinclair and each of the Commissioners present in relation to the days proceedings and myriad opening presentations on April 21, 1992 in Winnipeg. The Commissioners discuss highlights of the presentations from their own perspectives, and extend thanks to the participants, then the Commission meeting is adjourned and scheduled to resume the following day.

The file contains the presentation of a discussion paper by Marie Baker. Baker, "an active disabled woman doing research work with the Aboriginal Women's Council" discusses disabled Aboriginal people's issues in British Columbia. Amongst the issues Baker addresses are ignorance of services available, housing assistance, and their rights, and the issue of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Baker also makes a variety of recommendations to deal with these issues.

This file contains the first part of a presentation by Frank Palmater focusing on the rights of off-reserve, non-status and Metis people in New Brunswick. Recommendations include federal government recognition of treaty rights and rights to Aboriginal cultures, languages, traditions, values and spirituality; recognition of the right to self-determination; and the right to co-exist with other Canadians. A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.

The file contains a general discussion between Rocky Simpson, Robert Ross, Abbey Crook, and Commissioners Georges Erasmus and Paul Chartrand. The participants mainly discuss fisheries, Metis, and general Aboriginal identity issues. Rocky Simpson, Robert Ross, and Abbey Crook's earlier presentations to the Commission on this day can be viewed on this site.

File contains an individual presentation by Beatrice Watts focusing primarily on education. She provides a brief history of the Inuit in Labrador and relocation efforts in the 1950s and 1960s. In 1977 the first Inuit education conference was held, which laid the groundwork for the teaching of Inuktitut and cultural programs in schools. Watts also briefly discusses the Inuit radio station at Main, Labrador and a 1978 conference sponsored by Inuit women held in Labrador. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains an individual presentation by David Akpalialuk, resident of Pangnirtung, who expresses frustration with the application of Unemployment Insurance and the Canada Pension Plan and would like documents in both Inuktitut and English. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains an individual presentation by George Smith, via translator, that focuses on Aboriginal self-government from the perspective of elders. Smith states that elders were consulted in all facets of life pre-contact but with the Canadian government's policies over the years, elder input and influence have been irrelevant. He calls for the government to consult with elders during self-government negotiations. Smith also briefly discusses band relocation, natural resources, and the effects of residential schools. Following the presentation is a discussion with Commissioner Allan Blakeney.

File contains a presentation by Joanasie Maniapik, representative of "the men's group in Pangnirtung" who states that the laws of the Canadian Government are not the ways of the Inuit. Maniapik calls for a separate Royal Commission on justice in the North. Rene Dussault, Co-Chair, says that previous commissions have dealt with particular justice issues and with the future government of Nunavut

File contains an individual presentation by Mrs. Hilda Lyall focusing on the rights of Aboriginal women. She describes her personal experience with attempting to find work after completing a two-year translator course and feels that men are automatically assumed to be better workers. She calls on the Commission to address the inequality of not hiring women who are as qualified as men. Following the discussion is a short question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains an individual presentation by Olassie Machmer who has lived overseas in the past. She compares the red tape involved with taking ill in England (none) to taking ill in the Canadian North (substantial). She states that "when you see overseas governments, they seem to run a lot better than here." Machmer concludes by saying the government has to change to meet the needs of the people.

File contains an individual presentation by Patrick Rich, an Innu man, asking for help from the Commission relating to the forced removal and subsequent adoption at birth of several of his children. He asks the Commission for help in locating his children.

This file contains an individual presentation by Terry Lusty titled 'Metis Land - An Incessant Saga', which first provides a brief history of Metis peoples in Canada. He states that it is essential that Metis people have a land base, training and/or education that is adequate and meets the demands of modern times. A brief question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.

The file contains an opening prayer and opening remarks from the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at the Lodge Hotel, Kelowna, British Columbia. Following an opening prayer by Elder Dave Parker of the Okanagan Reserve, Councillor Gary Swite of the Westbank Indian Band welcomes the day's participants and discusses the need for self-determination and self-governance for the Okanagan people.

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 opening remarks by Sherry Lawson, moderator for the afternoon discussion on youth activities in the Aboriginal Community; the subject of Aboriginal Women; the Orillia Fish Weirs and the subject of the Extinguishment of Treaty Rights.

File contains an individual presentation by Agnes Gendron describing the impact of Bill C-31 upon her personally. Relatives of the speaker were present at the signing of Treaty Six in 1876 and she questions whether Aboriginal women will ever enjoy the full rights that the treaties should have provided them. Following the presentation is a brief question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Albert Fisher, followed by a Closing Prayer for the day's sitting of the Commission at the Nipissing First Nations Band Complex, North Bay, Ontario, May 19, 1993. Albert Fisher offers some personal reflections on Aboriginal Non-Aboriginal relations in Ontario as they pertain to politics, the legal system, community and individual relations.

The file contains a presentation by Andrew Orkin. Orkin, presenting as a concerned citizen from the perspective of a legal professional, discusses his views on the events of the High Arctic Relocation program of the 1950s. Following Orkin's presentation the assembled Commissioners discuss some of the issues raised with him.

File contains a presentation by Anna Samisack, Atiraq Women's Group. Samisack presents on women's issues in the community including daycare, funding for her group, and the loss of traditional culture. Following the presentation is a discussion between Samisack, Mayor Jobie Epoo, and Commissioner Dussault on daycare facilities in the community.

The file contains a presentation by Art Petahtegoose. Petahtegoose, a Professor at Cambrian College from the White Fish Lake First Nation, discusses Government judiciary education and Treaties. Petahtegoose discusses the Indian Act, Aboriginal rights, traditional governance amongst the Ojibwa, and related issues in this context. Following the presentation Commissioner Dussault discusses some of the issues raised with Petahtegoose.

File contains a presentation by Barry Ravenhill, Mayor of Watson Lake relating to Aboriginal self-government as it affects municipalities and local bands. He also briefly discusses housing construction on First Nations without proper building standards. Following the presentation is a discussion with Commissioner Allan Blakeney.