Oratory Skills & Practises

File contains opening remarks by Michael Thrasher of Victoria, B.C. Thrasher relates his experiences of learning from Elders, engaging people across the country in addressing addictions and culture reclamation issues, the importance of solidarity amongst Status Indian, Metis, Non-status Indian, and Inuit peoples, the reality of racism and discrimination in Canadian society, and the need for people to be committed to addressing these issues rather than just involved with them.

File contains opening remarks by Peter Katuk(via a translator) regarding the situation for Inuit people in the Northwest Territories: the struggle for survival, his own birth in an igloo in 1921, how life is a learning experience, how the Inuit people have been left out of Canada, how the Cree and the Hudson Bay Company were condescending and bossy to the Inuit, an incident between his father and the RCMP who made his father relocate his home from Repulse Bay, the need to amend what Katuk describes as the defeat of Aboriginal people in Canada, how his people assisted southerners who came to th

File contains opening remarks by Ruth Skead of Raw Portage, Ontario. Skead relates how the way of life for her First Nation has changed over her life time, and the importance of learning about her culture as a way to survive.

File contains opening remarks by Samaria Reynolds of The Pas, Manitoba. She touches on a variety of issues including education accessibility, medical care for northerners, her own disability and the issues that has raised for her, issues arising with her reinstatement under Bill C31 (which gave many Aboriginal women back their Status under the Indian Act), her children and grandchildren and the experiences they've faced, the problem of youth suicide, and the importance of learning from Elders.

File contains opening remarks by Silpa Edmunds(via a translator, in addition to a few in English) regarding the economic and cultural problems faced by her people in Labrador and her hopes that the Commission will address these issues. She reiterates some of Boas Jararace's concerns, and also adds the problems of alcoholism, family breakdown, and a loss of cultural identity amongst Inuit, First Nations and Metis people in Labrador. Edmunds is an Inuit woman from Hopedale, Labrador.

File contains opening remarks by Vital Morin of Ile A La Crosse, Saskatchewan. Morin discusses his own life including a stint in World War 2, and his actions in helping to organize the Metis Society of Saskatchewan, how the Metis were overlooked by government, hunting rights, and his hope that the Commission will lead to concrete action on behalf of Metis people.

File contains a presentation by the Reverend Verna Jebb and Mr. Ron Buck of the Moose Lake Bible Group. Jebb and Buck discuss some of the social problems afflicting their community including gas sniffing, a lack of recreational opportunities for youth, alcholism and other substance abuse, illicit drugs, gambling, violent crime, property crime, and the need for community based funding. Following the presentation is a short discussion between the presenters and Commissioners Blakeney and Chartrand on the issues covered, as well as community policing and police resources.

This file contains a part of a transcript of a portion of a sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at The Fern Resort, Orillia, Ontario. This part includes a presentation given by Neil Monague at the Round Table discussion on Healing issues(Body, Mind and Soul) in the Aboriginal Community.

File contains a presentation by Chief Andrew Kirkness in English and Cree (translation provided in text). Kirkness discusses the historical relationship between Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal Canadians, land claims, intergovernmental affairs, the Constitution, the status of off reserve First Nations people, Education, nothern conditions, the Indian Act, economic issues, cultural issues, the importance of Elders to First Nations governance, and the situation of Aboriginal youth.

File contains a presentation by Mayor Bruce Unfried in which he discusses his views on the Commission and how he sees it as an opportunity for education and reconciliation between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Canadians. Following the presentation is a discussion between Unfried and Commissioners Blakeney and Chartrand regarding Unfried's views.

Describes local recollections of various British explorers in the Canadian Arctic in the 19th century.

Describes a innovative program in which teachers developed their own curriculum rather than having it imposed on them from above.

Examines program models presently used in heritage language learning and revitalization in Norway and compares them to other models used worldwide.

Findings indicate that greater language proficiency by physicians can improve Sami-speaking patient satisfaction.

Looks at the introduction of a mother tongue program to the Aboriginal school system in James Bay to protect the Cree language and culture.

Linguistics Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Arizona, 1983.

Linguistics Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of California, Berkeley, 1966.

Education Thesis (Ed.D.)--Arizona State University, 1991.

Discusses the roles of silence and humor in the Anishnaabe culture.

Project to find the connectedness in Indigenous language and and to put the mother back in the English language.

Geography & Anthropology Thesis (Ph.D.)--Louisana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, 2013.

Identifies schools issues including: student attendance, the legacy of residential schools, lack of resources to promote the Inuktitut/Inuinnaqtun language and transient teachers.

Linguistics Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of British Columbia (Vancouver), 2008.

Outlines grammar of the Chippeway language.

Discusses the Klamath language of Southern Oregon from the publication The American Antiquarian.

Presents the Kwakiutl or Kwak'wala language which is a Wakashan language of the Northwest Coast (British Columbia).

Linguistics Thesis (M.A.)--Memorial University, 2008.

Linguistics Thesis (M.A.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 2009.

Study evaluated speech performance in terms of delivery, with special attention given to paralanguage, using a sample of Aboriginal and Euro Canadians. Bicultural approach then used with Aboriginal students and results discussed.

File contains a copy of Diefenbaker's speech at the inauguration of construction on the South Saskatchewan Dam, in which he thanks the Chief, Little Crow and the braves of the Dene tribe for making him a honorary Chief. He also speaks of the proud history of the Dene, their contributions to Canada, and the appointment of an indigenous man to senate.

Examines how educators can use stories to facilitate healing and recovery in Indigenous adults.

Looks at the Mi'kmaq or Mi'kmaw language.

This speech describes the struggle to have Aboriginal issues such as poverty and lack of education addressed by the Canadian Department of Indian Affairs. Cardinal also disputes the Department's charge that monies were misspent by the Native Council of Canada and presents a defense. Handwritten annotations in pencil by unknown author.

Historical note:

This file contains a handwritten manuscript, probably by Annie Cameron, about Lucy M. Baker in Makoce Waste Indian Reserve. In the story Lucy hosts a prayer time with the Indians, and together they pray for rain so their crops will germinate.

Interdisciplinary Studies Thesis (MIDST)--University of New Brunswick, 2016.

File contains notes from speeches by Eric Neilson on the Northern Development Policy and how Aboriginal people can aid in implementing it, and by John Diefenbaker for the PION-ERA festival in Saskatoon noting that the first day is to honour Aboriginal people.

Orthography and spelling of the Chipeyan, or Chipewan, language.

Argues that communication needs to be studied at a spiritual level "especially in intercultural settings". Examples are given from the Plains Cree tradition and Christian tradition.(Abstract in French/English, article in French only)

File contains a copy of Diefenbaker's speech at Cornwall, ON. in which Diefenbaker notes that there is an indigenous person (James Gladstone) in the senate.

Audiology and Speech Sciences Thesis (M.Sc.)--The University of British Columbia (Vancouver), 2011.

In a statement, Jean Chretien rejects criticism from Aboriginal leaders relating to the publishing of the "White Paper,", and emphasizes that the Federal Government's proposals were "made in good faith" and that negotiations with Aboriginal leaders were essential in establishing a new policy for Aboriginals.

Expresses the organization's disappointment with the Federal Government's new "Indian Policy", claiming that despite consultation with Aboriginal leaders, the policy was "evading the responsibility" of the government under the British North America Act.

Historical note:

Examines government documents and the media to discuss the abandonment of bilingual education programs.

Examines innovative culturally-rooted programs that mix traditional academics with life skills and courses to promote economic, social and cultural well-being.

Comparative Literature Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of British Columbia, 1999.

Describes a program set up to develop and support a network of Hawaiian educators whose goal is to preserve Hawaiian culture and practices.

Discusses how Silko manages to employ oral traditions through a multiplicity of storytellers in her novel, Storyteller. Entire issue on one PDF. To access article, scroll down to appropriate page.

Presents stories from the Mi’kmaq, Métis and Cree, Inuvialuit, Algonquin, Nisga'a, and Abenaki tradition.