Substance Use, Abuse & Treatment

Examines the phenomenon of suicide among Native Americans, with emphasis on youth.

Study examined medical records of 160 people who completed suicide in Greenland between 2012 and 2015. Findings were compared with a control group of 160 people who had not suicided in order to assess if risk factors could be identified through medical contact in the six months prior to suicide completion.

Results of a study on the social, economic, and behavioural factors related to drug use among Aboriginal people as compared to non-Aboriginal people.

Concludes that Native American adolescents have higher risk prevalence across indices of anitsocial behavior and substance abuse, with females presenting the highest.

Looks the need for Aboriginal health workers to educate Aboriginals on the effects of smoking and exposure to smoking. Covers the risks during pregnancy and asthma in children.

Study indicated there is a scope for community pharmacists to undertake screening and brief intervention for risky drinking and that customers find this to be acceptable.

Examines the alarming rate at which Aboriginal people are contracting HIV and AIDS.

Video discusses harm reduction programs for drug users, nature of addiction, therapies for treatment, and the Niigan Mosewak youth initiative. Launched in conjunction with the Little Spirit Moon Conference Duration: 33:08.

Book review of: Rivers of Sand by Christopher D. Haveman.

Book review of: Rock, Ghost, Willow, Deer by Allison Adelle Hedge Coke.

Psychology Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Arizona, 1992.

Discusses the importance of core foundational beliefs and values being integrated into programs including experience, world view, community, family, relationships, respect, atmosphere and open door policy.

Looks at how the concepts of ‘Kijigabandan’ and ‘Manadjitowin’ can assist Aboriginal social work to address two key barriers that often impede Aboriginal-specific harm reduction discussions, widespread support for abstinence and prohibition, and the belief that harm reduction and Aboriginal culture are incompatible.

Sociology and Anthropology Thesis (M.A.)--Carleton University, 2007.

Discusses the role of an Elder in counseling sessions with Aboriginal clinicians trained in Western healing intervention, providing insight into their problems both from an Aboriginal perspective as well as from a western clinical perspective.

Argues that federal institutions have created systemic sociocultural problems and there is a need for community-based intervention strategies to promote cultural healing.

Family Relations and Applied Nutrition Thesis (M.Sc.)--University of Guelph, 2011.

File contains a discussion paper by Robin Bellamy. Bellamy gives his "opinion to the years of what I've seen in the inner city of Saskatoon" as a person who has worked for the Friendship Inn and other community service organizations. Bellamy raises issues such as prostitution, substance abuse, physical abuse, verbal abuse, racism, and poverty. Following the presentation Commissioners Dussault and Robinson discuss some of the issues raised with Bellamy.

The file contains an opening prayer, drum ceremony, and opening comments by Moderator John Stiffarm for the Youth Circle sitting held by the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, Tuesday, May 25, 1993, at the Lethbridge Lodge, Ballroom A, Lethbridge, Alberta. Following a sweetgrass ceremony, opening prayer, and drum ceremony, Moderator John Stiffarm discusses the significance of the ceremony and the circle hearing, as well as its' format. Commissioner Georges Erasmus also makes some brief remarks on the sitting's format.

RCAP 138 contains a transcript of a portion of a sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples in the Hunters Room, Skyline Plaza Hotel, Calgary, Alberta. This portion includes presentations of individuals made at Round Tables concerned with addictions, racism, women's and elders' issues, urban affairs, business and economic development, Bill C-31 and Metis rights.

RCAP 138 contains a transcript of a portion of a sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples in the Hunters Room, Skyline Plaza Hotel, Calgary, Alberta. This portion includes presentations of individuals made at Round Tables concerned with addictions, education, business and economic development and employment. Each presentation can be viewed individually on this site.

The file contains an open forum presentation by Ron-Wayne Hoekstiza. Hoekstiza, an Ojibwa man who was removed as a youth from his family by social services and raised by a Dutch couple in Europe, discusses his personal struggles to reclaim his identity, his views on the Royal Commission, and his views on Aboriginal peoples. Following the presentation Commissioner Sillett thanks Hoekstiza for his comments and discusses the situation in northern Labrador and Davis Inlet which he referenced, and where she is originally from.

RCAP 148 contains a transcript of a portion of a sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at the Westbury Hotel, Toronto, Ontario. Subjects discussed include community policing, substance abuse, Metis and Non-Status rights, the arts, the environment. Each presentation can be viewed individually on this site.

RCAP 163a contains a part of a transcript of a portion of a sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples in Fredericton, New Brunswick. This part includes presentations, questions and a discussion by the assembled youth, who attend both high school and university, and the Commissioners at a Youth Circle.

RCAP 33 contains files from the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at Samson Bingo Hall, Hobbema, Alberta. This sitting of the Commission contains presentations on a variety of subjects such as post-secondary education, health care, child and family welfare, and substance abuse. Each presentation can be viewed individually on this site.

RCAP 42 contains files from the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples in Sheshatshiu, Labrador. This sitting of the Commission contains presentations relating to education, land claims, self-governemnt, alcohol and drug abuse issues, and Metis, Inuit and women's issues. Each presentation can be viewed individually on this site.

RCAP 43 contains files from the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples in Sheshatshiu, Labrador. This sitting of the Commission contains presentations relating to employment, land claims, self-governemnt, alcohol and drug abuse issues, and Metis, Inuit, Innu and women's issues. Each submission can be viewed individually on this site.

RCAP 45 contains files from the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples in Stoney Creek, British Columbia. This sitting of the Commission contains presentations relating to education, housing, land claims, self-government, alcohol and drug abuse issues, and elder and women's issues. Each presentation can be viewed individually on this site.

RCAP 45 contains files from the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples in Stoney Creek, British Columbia. This sitting of the Commission contains presentations relating to employment, land claims, self-governemnt, alcohol and drug abuse issues, and women's issues. Each presentation can be viewed individually on this site.

RCAP 48 contains files from the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples in Slave Lake, Alberta. This sitting of the Commission contains presentations relating to education, land claims, self-government, alcohol and drug abuse issues, and women's and Métis issues. Each presentation can be viewed individually on this site.

RCAP 49 contains files from the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples in the Oak Room, Ramada Inn, Thunder Bay, Ontario. This sitting of the Commission contains presentations relating to land claims, self-government, alcohol and drug abuse issues, education and tourism. Each presentation can be viewed individually on this site.

RCAP 65 contains files for a sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at the Senator Hotel, Timmins, Ontario. This sitting of the Commission contains presentations relating to land claims and self-government, health and addiction programs, economic development, education and friendship centres. Each submission can be viewed individually on this site.

RCAP 67 contains files for a sitting of the Royal Commission for Aboriginal Peoples in the Luke Novoligak Hall, Cambridge Bay, Northwest Territories (Nunavut). Subjects include residential schools, alcohol and drug abuse, the Katimavik Society, education, self-government and lack of employment and housing. Each submission can be viewed individually on this site.

RCAP 80 contains files for a sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples in Nain, Labrador. This sitting of the Commission contains presentations relating to land claims and self-government, health and addiction programs, culture, economic development and education. Each presentation can be viewed individually on this site.

The file contains a closing prayer, closing remarks by Moderator John Stiffarm, and an Honour Song. Moderator Stiffarm thanks the participants, some of the organizers, and states that as young people "I pray that we will be able to take some action and be able to come together, regardless of tribes or whatever, and help each other out -- help ourselves most of all." Following this is an honour song after which the day's sitting is concluded.

File contains a conversation between Commissioners Erasmus, Robinson, Terry Legge, Wilbert Wesley, Christina Delaney, Elie Chilton, and Phoebe Sutherland at the Northern Lights School in Moosonee, Ontario. The wide ranging conversation addresses a variety of topics including educational policy, cultural retention and rejuvenation, and social problems.

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.

The file contains further comments by Babette Bastien. Bastien discusses his youth on reserve and the struggles he had, leaving the reserve to attain an education, his views on the current drive towards self-government, the federal government capping education funding for First Nations, under-representation in the professions, and related policy issues.

The file contains further comments by Moderator for the day John Stiffarm. Stiffarm recounts some of his personal experiences and the struggles he faced as a youth with racism, discrimination, alcohol, and drug abuse. Stiffarm discusses how he found meaning through traditional culture and spirituality, particularly through drumming, and its importance in healing people and communities.

The file contains further comments by Keith Weasel Head. Weasel Head, who works at the Laverne Elementary School on the Blood Reserve, and is also a post-secondary student, discusses the problems youth face with drugs and alcohol. Weasel Head offers his personal perspective on how people can cope with and overcome these problems.

The file contains further comments by Sheldon Wells. Wells, a part-time student at the University of Lethbridge, discusses his view that there should be support groups for Aboriginal children, including youth treatment centres for drug and alcohol abuse, suicide prevention, and increased cultural programming.

File contains an individual presentation by Alice Frost relating to the necessity of elders teaching the Vuntut Gwitch'in language to youth and to social problems in Old Crow. Frost states that her community's social problems must be solved before "land claims is settled because we need educated people to run our self-government." A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.

File contains an individual presentation by Chief Francis Penashue describing the culture and values of the Innu people pre-European contact, and now Innu communities are dealing with substance abuse, family dysfunction and high unemployment and welfare rates. Following the presentation are brief remarks by Rene Dussault, Co-Chair.

File contains an individual presentation by Marion Nukon focusing on the ineffective alcohol ban in Old Crow. She states the ban cannot work if there are no youth workers, organized sports programs and community activities for adults. Nukon believes unemployment is a large contributing factors to the social problems in Old Crow. A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.

File contains a brief individual presentation by Mrs. Crachit that reiterates the thoughts of the day's previous speakers concerning education.

File contains an individual presentation by Randall Tetlichi that touches on a number of subjects, including self-government, residential schools, the loss of Aboriginal languages, substance abuse, health services, economic development and education. A lengthy question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.

File contains a presentation by Randy Nepoose relating to social issues, off-reserve Aboriginals, natural resources, and the justice system. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains an individual presentation by Rhoda Karetak of Rankin Inlet. Karetak discusses social and health issues facing the people of her community, including the cost of travelling to facilities in the south, problems with fatigue among elders, sniffing activity, and suicide concerns. Following her presentation Michael Kugak asks a question on childcare which Kartak answers. Following this, Facilitator Paul Kaludjak makes some comments and welcomes the next presenter.