Oratory Skills & Practises

File contains a presentation by Gilbert Anderson that describes the people of his First Nations as being "a little island by outselves." Anderson describes the events leading to the formation of the reserve and 1958, its surrender. Anderson states that descendants of the original Michel Band still select leaders and maintain social ties, and the Band's goal now is to secure a land base. A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.

File contains a presentation by Chief Hammond Dick relating to land claims and self-government for the Kaska Nation. He states that the Kaskas would agree only to an offer that provides exclusive control over lands selected for use by their people. The Kaskas also want to play a significant role in the management of renewable and non-renewable resources on their traditional lands. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Chief Harold Turner discussing seven issues that affect First Nations people: self-government, treaties, natural resources and Aboriginal title to land, economic development, taxation, education and First Nations government financial concerns. Following the presentation is a discussion with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Chief Harry Cook, La Ronge Indian Band. Cook welcomes Commissioners Erasmus and Chartrand to La Ronge, and expresses his solidarity with other Aboriginal peoples such as the Metis. Cook also discusses the importance of Treaties to his people.

File contains an individual presentation by Chief Ignace Gull. Gull discusses the living conditions faced by Aboriginal people in the area which he describes as third or fourth world. Specifically he discusses water and sewer issues, fire protection, energy, social development, drug and alcohol abuse, and a lack of economic oppotunities and education. Gull also discusses trapping concerns, concerns with the justice system, problems with RCMP and Conservation Officers regarding game law enforcement, proposed hydro developments, and protection of burial sites.

File contains a presentation by Chief Councillor Jack Thompson regarding the distribution and structure of Social Services on the reserves of the Nuu-chah-nulth (Nootka) First Nation. Thompson makes some suggestions about how resources could be better utilized, and discusses the amtter with Commissioners Erasmus, Robinson, and Keitlah.

File contains a presentation by Chief James Ross of the Gwich'in people. Chief Ross delivers some remarks on the Gwich'in Final Agreement (a land claim) and introduces Diane Petersen and George Nurysoo who will present after him.

File contains a presentation by Chief Katie Rich detailing the effects of relocation, substance abuse and hopelessness that the Innu of Davis Inlet suffer from. She describes the early history and relocation of Davis Inlet and feels that the only hope for residents is to relocate again, due to the lack of proper housing, sewer and water in their present location. The mortality rate of children is very high, and Rich calls on the Commission to assist Innu people with resources to regain control of their lives through culture, traditions, values and spirituality.

File contains a presentation by Chief Lindsay Cyr and Felix Musqua addressing the failure of the Charlottetown Accord and the position that their organization will still pursue; "the inherent right to nationhood, self-government, jurisdiction, systems of laws, resource rights, distinct languages, cultures and values." Cyr then states that his organization will table its documentation later in the year. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Chief Lorne Waditaka of the Wahpeton Dakota First Nation. Waditka discusses the history of his people and its contacts with other Dakota, Lakota, and Nakoda groups. He discusses the First Nations participation in both local organizations like the Prince Albert Tribal Council alongside the Cree, and in larger organizations of Dakota people on a province wide, and international basis. Wakitawa also discusses some of the distinctions between "Sioux" peoples and future aspirations for unity.

File contains a presentation by Chief Norm Wesley of the Moose Cree First Nation provides a brief history of the Moose Factory area, mentioning in particular the fur trade and the Hudson's Bay Company. Wesley states that Aboriginal peoples can't go back to their original way of life and calls upon the Elders in the community to keep the traditional ways alive by sharing their knowledge with the youth.

File contains a presentation by Chief Pascal Bighetty and Darryl Linkletter, Junior Chief, representing the Missinipi people of the Churchill River area. Bighetty describes systems of indigenous self-government in other countries and the limits put on band councils by the Canadian government. He states that if South Africa can "invite the First Nations of Africa to sit side by side in the Parliament," then Canada should have Aboriginal Members of Parliament in the near future. Following the presentation is a discussion with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Chief Sidney Sam Senior of the Ahousaht Education Authority. Sidney Sam discusses his views on the on-reserve education system and makes a series of reccomendations (including funding and cultural concerns) regarding what he thinks should be done to enhance it. Following the presentation is a discussion between Sam and Commissioners Erasmus, Robinson, and Keitlah regarding the issues raised in the presentation.

File contains a presentation by Chief Simon Lucas, Hesquiat Tribe Access to Sea Resources. Lucas discusses the relationship of his people with the ocean and the resources therein, as well as how it forms part of their worldview. He critiques contemporary Western views of resource usage, and discusses the importance of sea resources. Following the presentation is a discussion between Lucas and Commissioners Erasmus, Robinson, and Keitlah regarding sea issues.

File contains a presentation by Chief Stanley Sanquez of Jean Marie River Band and Kerry Hardisty, Grade 9 student, Linowejen School, Jean Marie River Band. Sanquez focuses on land claims and self-government, while Hardisty questions exactly what the rights are of youth relating to self-government.

File contains a presentation by Chief Tony Mercredi, of the Athabasca Chipewyan Band. Mercredi welcomes the Commission, and remarks on his participation at the World Summit Conference in Rio. Mercredi then proceeds to deliver a presentation on the relationship between Canada and Aboriginal peoples and how he thinks it must be renogiated based on new principles of trust and understanding. Mercredi also disucsses the impact of pollution on his community with regard to the uranium mining, oil sands extraction and pulp mills.

File contains a presentation by Claudine Louie relating to Aboriginal post-secondary education in Canada. Samson Cree First Nation falls under the government's Post-Secondary Student Support Program, and Louie questions the fairness of the program regarding Aboriginal students. Following the presentation is a brief question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Clifton (Francis) Simon, resident of Big Cove, New Brunswick. Simon touches on a number of areas of concern for him: self-government, economic development, discrimination against Aboriginal women, justice and education. Following the presentation is a discussion with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Clint Buehler, Executive Director, Metis Nation of Alberta. Buehler outlines the steps the MNA has taken towards self-governance both in terms of consultation within its membership and negotiations with the provincial and federal governments.

File contains a presentation by Commission Co-Chair Georges Erasmus during the first public meeting of said Commission. Erasmus spoke about how Chief Thunderchild viewed the need to hold on to Aboriginal land rights, and how this was still important in the nineteen-nineties.

File contains a presentation by Commission Co-Chair Rene Dussault during the first public meeting of said Commission. Dussault discusses the importance of discussion, and listening in the Commission process. “We know that many Aboriginal people are tired of being studied by others. They want to speak directly to us, and we want to hear from them. We want to hear their views of history and of what the future could or should hold for them. Similarly, we want to hear from the non-Aboriginal Canadians, who have not only a right, but an obligation to participate in this debate.

File contains a presentation by Corinne Chappell, a Micmac woman. Chappell describes the effect of Bill C-31 on Aboriginal people who have married outside their community, and argues that all succeeding generations should retain their status. Following the presentation is a discussion with the Commissioners on this issue.

File contains a presentation by Counsellor Cy Standing of the Wahpeton First Nation. After some introductory remarks in Dakota (not provided), Standing gives a brief summary of his personal history.

File contains a presentation by Dale Awasis, Native Educator. Awasis discusses education, and his general concerns regarding Aboriginal people with Commissioners Blakeney and Chartrand.

File contains a presentation by Dan Haggerty, President and CEO, Robert Hartog, Chairman, and Claude McCabe, Vice-President Canadian Native Programs, Canadian Executive Services Organization. Haggerty discusses the Canadian Executive Services Organization, a non-profit, non-governmental organization with the mandate to provide volunteers as consultants to support the development and management of the Aboriginal businesses and communities in Canada, and of the business and social sectors of developing countries around the world.

File contains a presentation by Daniel Daniels and Delilah Young speaking about the need for concerned adults becoming involved in the lives of Aboriginal youth. Without positive adult role models, Aboriginal youth may fall prey to alcohol, drug and solvent abuse and youth centres would allow Aboriginal youth to spend free time constructively. A discussion with the Commissioners follow the three The Pas Youth Project Committee speakers.

File contains an individual presentation by Danny Henry who relates his experiences as an athlete and how it helped him be a role model for others. Henry does not see the same possibilities available for his children and asks the Commission for more sports funding. He draws attention to the numerous national and international Aboriginal sporting events that have been established in the last 20-25 years and asks that government funding of sport activities be increased for Canadian Aboriginal youth.

File contains a presentation by Danny Pottle, representative, St. John's Native Friendship Centre. He introduces two women from the Friendship Centre as co-presenters. An overview and brief history of the Centre with available services and programs are presented. Among other points, Pottle recommends that the work of interpreting be recognized by government agencies. Following the presentation is a discussion with the Commissioners.

File contains a brief individual presentation by Danny Whetung relating to the White Paper, described by Whetung as "a systematic description...for the cultural and racial genocide of the First Nations people of this country." He commends the Commissioners for coming to Esquimalt Reserve and knows they "have come with an open heart," and hopes that examination of the White Paper by the Commission may lead to positive changes for Aboriginal people.

File contains a presentation by Darlene Grexton relating to the Infant Development Program, a part of a continuum of preventive service provided by the Ministry of Community and Social Services for the at-risk population, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal alike. The program works with infants from to 30 months. She calls for the training more Aboriginal social workers and for more public awareness of the Infant Development Program. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Darlene Spiedel, Dakota Nations of Canada, Saskatchewan Cultural Centre. Spidel presentes from "two points of view, one from the Dakota/Lakota Nations and the other from the Saskatchewan Indian Cultural Centre."

File contains a presentation by Darrell Bretton, First Nations Freedom Network. Bretton discusses his organization which he says is "a unique agency which deals with the transition from incarceration to reintegration of our people into overall society...developing a network of aboriginal groups and professionals to address the widespread societal problem of aboriginal recidivism."

File contains a presentation by Dave Barron of the Pacific Metis Federation. Barron discusses the story of his people, their neglect by government, his views on Bill C-31 and how the government has divided Aboriginal peoples starting at the family level. Barron concludes by recommending that "some form of legislation be enacted within the near future to release our people from the bonds of Bill C-31, if they should desire." Following the presentation is a discussion between Barron and Commissioner Erasmus on the ideas raised in the presentation.

File contains a presentation by Dave Mowat, a University of Manitoba student, regarding education funding, band governance, self-government, and issues he's encountered as a Bill C-31 person.

File contains a presentation by David Murray, Regional Director General, Employment and Immigration Canada (EIC). He first introduces Yvonne Myers, Pathways Co-ordinator for Newfoundland and Labrador. Murray provides the history of Pathways, a program developed by EIC to help Aboriginal people enter the workforce. Pathways works with other educational institutions in Newfoundland and Labrador to provide the necessary services for Aboriginal people to secure employment.

File contains a presentation by Dawna LeBlanc expressing concern for the acceleratred rate at which Aboriginal languages are becoming extinct. The death of community elders plays a large part in the elimination of languages today. She states that "language has a direct bearing on how we see ourselves as a people and our role in self-government, on land claims and our claim to a distinct society." Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Debbie Groat that focuses on the lack of Aboriginal cultural content, a drop-out rate of students and the lack of parental support as roadblocks to improving the educational system for Aboriginal youth. Groat states that the problems continue when students graduate from high school and seek post-secondary education. Following the presentation is a discussion with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Debra Alvisatos, a Mohawk woman and executive director of the Fredericton Native Friendship Centre. Alvisatos presentations deals with her organization whose purpose is to help Aboriginal people (the majority of whom are Micmac and Maliseet) to adjust to urban life. She discusses how urban Aboriginal people have been ignored in the past, and the need to both consult with them and define their rights in order to facilitate self-governance and effective administration.

File contains a presentation by Delores Trudeau relating to counselling of Aboriginal students as an integral part of the education process. Trudeau recommends that counsellors be given adequate resources to fulfill their duties, be given the opportunity to acquire a university degree, and that a salary grid be based on experience and qualification. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Denis Tardif that begins with a brief history of Aboriginal and Francophone relations in Alberta. He states that "Canadian society consists of three major national communities; the native national community, the Francophone national community and the anglophone national community." These groups must work together "to succeed in the great goal of building a just Canadian society." A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.

File contains a wide-ranging presentation by Dennis Gedeon, New Brunswick Aboriginal Peoples' Council, with brief remarks by Carol Wortman of the same organization. Gedeon discusses the history of his organization, its aims, his views on the Constitution, intergovernmental relations, non-status Indians, self-governance, economic development, the Indian Act, Bill C31, Justice and Education issues.

File contains a presentation by Dennis McLeod, Presdient of the Stanley Mission Metis Local, and Gabriel Dumont Institute Area Representative.

File contains a presentation by Dennis Thorne. Thorne, whose Oglala Lakota (Sioux) name is Tungan Cikala, speaks on the topic of "Protection of Traditional Spiritual Beliefs." Included in his presentation are problems with the Canadian border and the guards measures there against Aboriginal holy people (Thorne argues that the Jay Treaty enshrines freedom of movement for Aboriginal people across the Canada-U.S.

File contains a presentation by Denny Grisdale, District No. 70 School Board. Grisdale discusses the trust and relationship between his School District and the Nuu-Chah-Nulth Tribal Council. He relates several anecdotes about the importance of First Nations language instruction, First Nations teaching approachs, and respect for First Nations culture in a more general sense. Grisdale then introduces the next presenter who is also from his school board, Donna Brett.

File contains a brief presentation by Desmond Peters focuses on community development. He mentions government policy aimed at assimilation and particularly Bill C-31 that has left Aboriginals "in a dysfunctional state in our own communities. He then introduces the next speaker, Leonie Rivers.

File contains remarks by Diane Delaronde of the Pas Region, Manitoba Metis Federation. Delaronde welcomes the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples to The Pas, Manitoba on behalf of her organization.

File contains a presentation by Diane Ludwig and Elaine Boucher relating to educational issues concerning Aboriginal students in Lac La Biche and area. Both women address a number of concerns with students, such as assisting those in unstable family situations or those who are abusing drugs and alcohol. Ludwig feels that if a co-ordinator was hired, then the small groups and committees within the Native Education Program would be streamlined and thus serve the students better. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Diane Schribe-MacPherson, relating the apathy of Aboriginal students towards improving campus life and the lack of co-operation between the Students Union and the BU Native Organization. She also deals with several issues personally affecting her life as a post-secondary student. A discussion with the Commissioners follows the three Brandon University presentations.

File contains a presentation by Don McLean, a status Indian Micmac man who lives off reserve. McLean lists two issues he would like the Commission to discuss: namely, the allocation of federal funding to bands not reaching off-reserve members, and compensation for women who lost their status by marrying non-Aboriginal men. Following the presentation are a few brief remarks by Georges Erasmus.

File contains a presentation by Don Ryan focusing on Aboriginal rights and title. He gives the Commission documents that his organization wants recorded in the official record for the purposes of the Commission. He introduces Herb George, speaking for the Wet'suwet'en people.