Oratory Skills & Practises

File contains a presentation by Vern Cheechoo. Cheechoo discusses the diversity of people in the Moose Factory area (both in terms of Aboriginal groups, and non-Aboriginals) making various distinctions, and stating that the inherent right to self-government comes from a relationship with the territory itself. Cheechoo also discusses the need to acknowledge diversities and begin to "cherish and begin to give honour to each other because of our distinctiveness."

File contains a presentation by Vern Harper. Harper discusses some of his views on Aboriginal people's place within Canadian society, and on artistic and cultural concerns. Harper also relates some of his own personal life story.

File contains a presentation by Vice Chief Alphonse Bird of the Prince Albert Tribal Council. On behalf of the Tribal Council (which represented 12 First Nations at the time), Bird welcomes the Royal Commission to the area and discusses how his organization will be making a more comprehensive presentation on areas of concern to them in La Ronge, Saskatchewan on May 28th. Areas of concern to be highlighted include Treaty Rights, the Constitution, housing, poverty, northern food costs, employment, resource revenue sharing, taxation, infrastructure, health and justice issues.

File contains a presentation by Vice-Chief John McDonald, Prince Albert Tribal Council. McDonald discusses his problems with the Nunavut settlement and requests that "the Royal Commmission on Aboriginal Peoples...undertake a review of the impact of the Nunavut Settlement Agreement on the treaty and aboriginal rights of the Athabasca Denesuline Bands and this review, including recommendations, be completed by the fall of 1992."

File contains a presentation by Violet Gellenbeck focusing on the role her organization plays in the economic development of her community. She provides a brief history of her organization and states that its goals include assisting in the initiation, expansion, improvement and promotion of viable business opportunities for the Gitksan-Wet'suwet'en people, and to pursue federal, provincial and other sources of funding to assist Gitksan-Wet'suwet'en people in achieving individual economic independence. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Violet Monday, Wife of the Chief Councillor of the Ucluelet First Nation for Health Affairs. Monday reads a presentation compiled by the First Nations' family care worker and health worker for the Commission.

File contains a brief presentation by Violet Soosay relating to Aboriginal self-government and self-determination. Following the presentation is a lengthy question-and-answer session with the Commissioners and Cara Currie, previous speaker.

File contains a presentation by Micmac Wallace Libillois. Libillois discusses the history of colonization and his people in Canada, the commonalities between indigenous people across the country in their relationship with the state, residential schooling, proseltization, Aboriginal fishing rights, threats to Aboriginal people's rights, an indigenous view of resource use, the Aboriginal roots of many European democratic concepts, and the importance of Constitutional recognition and inclusion for Aboriginal peoples in Canada.

File contains a presentation by Wally Samuel concerning how off-reserve Aboriginals "are treated by our own people because of the Indian Act." When off-reserve Aboriginals try to access programs on-reserve, they are denied. Samuel calls for more funding to help those off-reserve people recover and retain their culture. He introduces the next speaker, Wilfred Price.

File contains a brief individual presentation by Walter Davis, a [retired health care worker] who, years ago, travelled by boat doing health education work along the coast of Labrador. He apologizes, as a non-Native, for his ancestors who "exploited your resources for all they were worth." He believes that attitudes are changing, but notes that only two years earlier [1990], there was no government support at any level regarding a proposed commemorative tablet in the Peace Park in honour of the Beothuk people. In closing, Davis thanks the Commission for their work.

File contains a presentation by Walter Madonick who states that past educational policies destroyed generations of Aboriginals, and that "education being a right to Aboriginal peoples has to be constitutionally protected." He also briefly mentions the Aboriginal Justice Inquiry.

File contains a presentation by Warner Goodvoice, Social Development Administrator, Wahpeton Band. Goodvoice discusses self governance, funding and bureaucratic issues particualarly with regard to the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations. Goodvoice argues that it is neccessary to get more grassroots engagement and funding into these structures. Following the presentation Comissioner Wilson questions Goodvoice on what he thinks self-governance would mean in pratice and he answers here.

File contains a presentation by Chief Wayne Goodwill of the Standing Buffalo Dakota First Nation. Goodwill relates the history of his particular band, and claims that "prior to 1850 our ancestor used to roam right up to the Saskatchewan Rivers and they migrated with the buffalo. In the 1860s when the wars began in the southern area along the Black Hills [South Dakota], most of the people did not migrate anymore." Goodwill protests of being unable to attain adequate funding to complete his people's study of its history in Canada.

File contains a presentation by Wayne Helgason, Director, Mamawewitchta Tonta Centre. Helgason discusses his organization in Winnipeg and its mandate to provide Aboriginal people with child and family services, as well as some of the issues he has encountered in such a capacity over the years. Following the presentation is a discussion with the Commissioners regarding both his and Marilyn Fontaine's presentations.

File contains opening remarks by Werner Kurpath, a representative of the Canadian Ethnic Culture Council comprised of immigrants in Canada who arrived after the Second World War. Kurpath offers greetings on behalf of both the CEC and the German Canadian Congress.

File contains a presentation by Wilbert McLeod. McLeod represents the Moose Factory Claimant Group, whose grandparents were "arbitrarily exluded from Treaty No. 9 in 1905 by the Treaty Commissioners." McLeod lays out his organizations claim and discusses how the ancestors of his organization were left out of Treaty 9, and how that Treaty was negotiated in an arbitrary manner by officials who did not consider how the people defined themselves.

File contains a presentation by Wilbert Wesley. Wesley discusses the Cree language and his views on its incorporation into the education system. Wesley states that he thinks Cree should be made compulsory, and that it should also be publicized via media. Commissioner Viola Robinson then responds to his remarks.

File contains a presentation by Wilfred Price discussing self-government and he states that "70 percent of our people who are living off-reserve do not get proper representation." He presents the idea that having a small group of people from a population of tens of thousands of Aboriginal people in BC elect a select few to represent them is wrong. He wants self-government where all are involved, not just a few. Comments from Co-Chair Georges Erasmus follow the presentation.

File contains a presentation by William Andersen, Sr. of the Makkovik Fishermen's Committee. Andersen discusses fisheries issues in Makkovik.

File contains a presentation by William Anderson III pertaining mainly to a submission made to the Commission regarding a Government of Newfoundland and Labrador discussion paper, dated November 1991, on an accelerated approach to Aboriginal land claims in Newfoundland and Labrador.

File contains a presentation by William Koe Councillor, Tetlin Gwich'in Council. William Koe presents on his concerns regarding education and the economy in Fort McPherson. He discusses drop-out rates, upgrading programs, local training courses, trades training, business support courses, writing workshops, and getting jobs for the community. Following the presentation a discussion ensues between Commissioners Rene Dussault and Allan Blakeney with Mr. Koe regarding Education issues.

File contains a presentation by William Lathlin. Lathlin, a Councillor of The Pas First Nation, discusses his views on the workplace, worker's compensation, and discrimination in the workplace. Following the presentation is a discussion between Commissioner Blakeney and Mr. Lathlin on some of the workplace issues he raised.

File contains a presentation by Wilson Okeymaw, executive director of an additions facility on Ermineskin First Nation. He addresses the problem of addictions among Canada's Aboriginal peoples and speaks of his own struggle with alcohol. Following the presentation is a brief question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Woody Elias, of Fort McPherson. Elias discusses residential schools, government and the fur trade (accusing the government of collusion with the anti-fur lobby), oil companies, and unemployment. Following the presentation is a discussion between Elias and Commissioners Dussault, Snowshoe, and Blakeney.

File contains a presentation by Yance Sheehan and Lisa Blandford, Aboriginal youths concerned with education (particularly the teaching of Metis history and culture) and the lack of recreational facilities for Aboriginal youth. They suggest that the Royal Commission plan a session only for Aboriginal youth to hear their ideas. Following the presentation are comments made by the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Yvon Allard, Member of the Manitoba Metis Federation regarding Employment Equity for Aboriginal Peoples and Post-Secondary Institutions. In particular Allard discusses discrimination in employment, and the promotion and protection of Aboriginal cultural identity in educational institutions.

File contains a presentation by Yvon Dumont of the Manitoba Metis Federation regarding the history of the Metis in Canada and the issues they face, particularly the need for a land base, and self-government, for the Metis people. Dumont tells the Commissioners what he expects to come out of the Commission, and what he views as their role in redressing past injustices towards the Metis by Canada.

File contains a presentation by Yvonne Myers, Pathways Co-ordinator for Newfoundland and Labrador. Pathways works with other educational institutions in Newfoundland and Labrador to provide the necessary services for Aboriginal people to secure employment. Myers requests that government funding not be cut. Following the presentation is a discussion with the Commission.

File contains a presentation on behalf of Chief Pat Martel, Hay River Dene Band. Commissioner Allan Blakeney reads aloud Martel's letter to the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development. Martel is seeking federal assistance with establishing agreements in the Northwest Territories regarding reserve funding.

File contains a presentation by Alana Dams of the First Nations Confederacy Inc. Dams delivers a pre-prepared statement regarding her organizations views on the Commission, and what it sees as the Commission's failure to properly consult and engage with Aboriginal peoples thus far. Commissioner George Erasmus addresses some of the concerns raised, and the Commissions hearings for the day conclude with a closing prayer by Thelma Chalifoux. First Nations Confederacy Inc. is an organization of Manitoba First Nations which represented 16 band governments in Manitoba at the time of the Commission.

File contains presentations by Damon Johnson, Chief, Andrew Kirkness, Grand Chief, Donna Glover, Indian Council of First Nations of Manitoba.

File contains a presentation by Jean Allard (in English). Allard discusses colonization and the suppression of Aboriginal peoples, segregation, his problems with the concept of self-government, and the need for fiscal self-sufficiency and economic developments for Aboriginal (specifically Metis) peoples. Following the presentation is a discussion with the Commissioners regarding his views on these issues.

Covers a variety of topics including workplace integration, racial discrimination, sexual harassment, and colonization.

File contains presentations by Kathy Mallet, Co-ordinator, Sandy Funk, and May Louise Campbell of the Original Women's Network. The presenters discuss their organizations role, their personal backgrounds, resource royalties, history, Treaties, pay equity, the Indian Act, and a variety of other issues their organization has engaged with.

File contains presentations by the staff and students of Athabasca Delta Community School. Included are remarks by Principal George Vander Loose, students Skylar Nelson, Rebecca Flett, Nicole Martin, Nicole Fraser, and teacher Ms Armstrong. Principal Vander Loose welcomes the Commission and acts as Master of Ceremonies for the other presenters.

File contains opening remarks by Alex Skead in the Ojibway language (translation in English given as text). Alex discusses his personal spiritual beliefs, the importance of the sweat, and fasting, and the importance of a healthy culture in producing healthy individuals in the wider society.

File contains opening remarks by Alfred Genaille of Chelan, Saskatchewan. Genaille discusses his two hopes for the Commission which are the return of Metis hunting rights, and a land base for the Metis people.

File contains remarks by Art Wilson, Commissioner For the Day. He provides a history of the Gitksan-Wet'suwet'en people and the long house where the hearing is held.

File contains opening remarks by Boas Jararace (via a translator) regarding the economic and educational problems faced by his people in Labrador and his hopes that the Commission will address these issues. Jararace is from the Belcher Islands.

File contains opening remarks by Senator Dave Barron regarding his impoverished childhood, his father's service in World War 1, and his own service in World War 2. Barron discusses the contributions of Metis veterans to Canada, and stresses the need for Metis to celebrate their unique history, a history he sees as rooted in the Red River area. Barron also expresses his hope that the Commission will benefit his people.

File contains opening remarks by Senator Fred L'Hirondelle. Included are observations on his service in the Armed Forces and the need for the Commission to address veteran's issues.

File contains opening remarks by Georges Erasmus and Viola Robinson explaining the purpose and objectives of the Royal Commission.

File contains remarks by Harrison Bull, representative of the Louis Bull Cree Nation. Because of the political upheaval on that First Nation, a written submission will be forwarded when ready.

File contains remarks by three previous presenters that were missed in their initial presentation. Issues addressed include Inuit adoption, the Goods and Services Tax, and poaching of archaeological sites in the North.

File contains remarks by Jerome Syrette, Commissioner For The Day and elder, that briefly touch on a number of subjects such as the influence of elders upon youth, living in harmony with the Creator and Mother Earth, and the Clan system.

File contains opening remarks by Johnny Epoo(via a translator) who represents Inuit from northern Quebec in land claims negotiations. He speaks about the Elders from his part of Canada and their concerns regarding the education system in its current state and how it could be improved. Epoo also discusses social problems like suicide, chronic welfare, problems with the RCMP, general poverty, and the need to look towards the future rather than dwelling excessively on the past.

File contains concluding and opening remarks by Justice Sinclair. The closing remarks direct participants from the morning session to lunch. The opening remarks introduce the afternoon session which is an informal opportunity for the Elders of the Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal community present at the Winnipeg sitting to introduce themselves and say whatever they would like to say to the Commissioners about any issue they choose to address.

File contains brief remarks by Lawrence Saddleback who briefly discusses issues not mentioned earlier in the proceedings of the day. Issues he mentions are hunting and trapping and revenue from natural resources. Following the presentation is a brief question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains opening remarks by Leetia Tookaie (via a translator) regarding taxation, social programs, rent, hunting and fishing in the north.

File contains opening remarks by Menno Wiebe of the Mennonite Central Committee. Wiebe discusses how Mennonite aid workers overseas always get asked what they are doing for the First peoples of their own country, and how this often sparks their interest in the struggles of Aboriginal peoples in Canada. Wiebe also relates what he sees as signs of hope for Aboriginal peoples, and how they have successfully organized against hostile state and economic forces in the recent past at places like James Bay.