File contains an individual presentation by Gordon Sinclair that touches on many issues such as scrip and Indian Registration, relocation of burial grounds, pollution, spirituality, band elections and elders' rights. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains an individual presentation by Greg Kjos who has ministered with people who either live near or work near Aboriginal First Nations in Saskatchewan and Alberta. He believes that our society should regard Aboriginal spirituality as having equal status with other established faiths. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains an individual presentation by Greg Newley of Fort Liard, NWT. His focus is on Aboriginal and government relations, in particular issues which affect the Dene of the Northwest Territories. Commissioner Allan Blakeney invites Newley to submit a brief when the Commission visits the area again, as the Commission will be looking for solution-oriented presentation when they return.

File contains an individual presentation by Gregory Andrew and Mary Andrew questioning "[H]ow did Canada gain our territory when there was no treaties ever signed by Innu people." He shows a map where the Innu people have lived in northern Canada for 9000 years and Andrew's mother, through an interpreter, shows the places she once lived that are now mine sites and lands are flooded by dams. Following the presentation are brief remarks by the Commissioners.

File contains an individual presentation by Hank Shouse, businessman and former mayor of Happy Valley-Goose Bay. He states that Labrador is not served well politically by having only 4 of 52 members of the Provincial House of Assembly, the rest being Newfoundlanders. The control of Labrador is held in St. John's, Newfoundland, and Shouse believes that the Inuit, Innu, Metis, non-Aboriginals and other groups should form their own territorial House of Assembly. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains an individual presentation by Harry Maksagak focusing on the life of the Inuit pre-contact and the negative impact of losing their nomadic way of life. He foresees the future government of Nunavut as being able to negotiate with the federal government for much-needed schools, employment and housing for the Cambridge Bay area. A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.

File contains an individual presentation by Helen Charlie focusing on education in Old Crow. She states the elementary school teaches students how to sew, cook, fish, hunt, trap and numerous other traditional ways of the Vuntut Gwich'in First Nation. She calls on the Commission to help secure a high school in Old Crow, which she feels would encourage students to remain in school and hopefully lead to post-secondary education. A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.

File contains an individual presentation by Ian Hinksman focusing on the lack of services and programs available for disabled Aboriginal people, both on- and off-reserve, in Canada. Hinksman answers questions from Co-Chair Georges Erasmus and Commissioner for the Day Norman Evans.

File contains an indivdual presentation by Irene Neeposh, a trapper, expressing personal dissatisfaction with government restrictions on Income Security and the use of wood for shelters and campfires. She calls on the Commission to ensure that her way of life on the trapline will not be phased out of existence with more government restrictions.

File contains a presentation by Jack Penashue who speaks from the perspective of Innu youth. He learned very little about his culture in high school and feels it should be taught by Aboriginal teachers throughout all grades. He feels elders are very important in passing down traditions and stories and they should be utilized by the education system as well.

File contains an individual presentation by Jean-Pierre Ashini discussing low-level flying by Canadian Forces jets in Labrador. His ability to hunt and provide for his family is compromised by the jets flying 15-20 feet above ground. Ashini calls on the Commission to stop the flights as they affect wildlife and scare small children.

File contains an individual presentation by Jimmy Ayalik focusing on his life in Cambridge Bay and how the once-plentiful hunting grounds have been damaged by area mining. He was a skilled hunter and can no longer support his extended family. His lack of education means that he must go on welfare and he can't gain employment because of that.

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 a presentation by John Cheechou relating his experiences as an Aboriginal student from the Moose Factory, Ontario area in the non-Aboriginal educational world. He states that "there is no plausible reason why our First Nations cannot help develop a customized school year calendar which could be quite different from the current calendar, and to develop an appropriate learning environment." Cheechou calls on the Commission to help in the establishment of Aboriginal elementary, high school and post-secondary education facilities in northern Ontario.

File contains an individual presentation by John Hart relating to existing affirmative action programs, particularly the Saskatchewan program and the federal program. The goal of affirmative action is to bring Aboriginal people into the workforce equivalent to the numbers in the total population. Hart concludes his presentation by saying affirmative action in Saskatchewan and Canada is not working and calls on the Commission to help make employers aware of it. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains an individual presentation by Jonah Kilabuk, who attended school in Winnipeg to become an interpreter. He states that "I am still not recognized by my own people because I was never taught how to hunt. He hopes that culture-preserving programs will soon be available for younger generations

File contains an individual presentation by July Papatsie expressing frustration with government policy on research. Papatsie seeks a grant to interview elders in her community but she needs a diploma to apply. Rene Dussault, Co-Chair, states that "grassroots research" should be acknowledged as being equally useful, despite the lack of education of the researcher.

File contains an individual presentation by Kathleen Nuna focusing on aspects of Innu culture she feels have been lost; fishing, hunting, trapping, folklore and spirituality. She calls on the Commission to provide Innu communities with funding to teach younger generations traditional and survival skills to keep Innu culture alive. Following the presentation are brief remarks by Rene Dussault, Co-Chair.

File contains an individual presentation by Ken Ward, an Aboriginal man from Enoch First Nations who is living with AIDS. He asks how can Aboriginals have a strong economic base "when these employed people are hurting." He calls for an after care program for Aboriginals leaving the correctional system, which includes elders.

File contains an individual presentation by Larry Gilbert discussing the recurring problem of discrimination against Aboriginal women and their children and the policies and practices at Indian Affairs which are designed and succeed in frustrating the legitimate claims to entitlement.

File contains a brief presentation by Lawrence Standing-On-The-Road that touches on economic development, treaty rights, land claims and self-government.

File contains an individual presentation by Leo Jacobs, an educator and businessman, focusing on education and economic development. Jacobs credits a large support system behind him as he completed a Master's degree in Education Administration. He envisions a strong Aboriginal tourism industry in Canada, which would showcase Aboriginal culture and not exploit it. A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.

File contains an individual presentation by Leo Rutledge, one of twelve advisors to the heritage conservation branch of British Columbia. Rutledge invites the days participants to comment to him on potential heritage sites to be designated for provincial protection. Following Rutldege's remarks the Commission adjourns the day's session.

File contains an individual presentation by Lionel Rich relating to youth and the RCMP in Sheshatshiu. Rich alleges the RCMP did not treat several young people properly and calls upon the Commission to look into the conduct of the officers involved. Following the presentation are brief remarks by Rene Dussault, Co-Chair.

This file contains an individual presentation by Lisa Maracle discussing a number of topics, including on- and off-reserve life, Canada's role as a model of human rights, racism and discrimination, Bill C-31, the Oka Crisis of 1990, and the speaker's perceived ineffectiveness towards the Six Nations Confederacy leadership. An exchange with the Commissioners follows the presentation.

This file contains an individual presentation by Lloyd Augustine discussing Aboriginal land claims and self-government. Augustine states that "(I)f a new relationship with Canada is to exist, then there must be some way that will obligate Canada to honour and respect our people and our original institutions, our agreements and our treaties, our rights as nations and to honour that status fully." A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.

File contains a brief individual presentation by Looie Nowdla, young citizen of Pangnirtung, expressing concern for the youth in her community who use alcohol and drugs. Despite the ban on both, usage of alcohol and drugs is responsible for youth crime and high dropout rates from school. Nowdla calls for more recreational facilities for the youth of Pangmirtung.

File contains an individual presentation by Lucienne Robinson detailing her frustrating personal experiences with Bill C-31 and her attempt to return to her home First Nations in northern Ontario. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains an individual presentation by Lyla Andrew, a non-Aboriginal woman raised in Toronto and a resident of Sheshatsiu for 15 years. She acknowledged in her an unconscious discrimination toward Innu people and the Innu would be better served if they "would aspire to be more like me." Andrew shares stories of her experience living among the Innu and calls on the Commission to have the Canadian government "recognize the value in their growth and development as a separate and distinct culture." Following the presentation are brief remarks by Rene Dussault, Co-Chair.

File contains an individual presentation by Madeleine Moonias, a Native language teacher and parent that focuses on Aboriginal culture, language and education. She states that when Aboriginal languages die out, so does Aboriginal culture. Moonias calls on the Commission to help ensure that school boards in northwestern Ontario encourage Native language maintenance and to foster positive attitudes to strengthen cultural identity for Aboriginal students. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains an individual presentation by Margaret Gladue, a Metis woman, relating to Crown Land at Eleanor Lake, Alberta. She and her family live close to the lake in an area that is frequented by weekend campers. Gladue has attempted to get the Canadian government to authorize her miscellaneous lease on the land she and her husband grew up on. She calls for the Commission to help cut through the red tape so her family can live on their ancestors' land. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

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 an individual presentation by Marlene Buffalo focusing primarily on self-determination - the right of every First Nations to choose its own form of government, to enjoy its spiritual and material patrimony without restriction, to live freely according to tradition and to be exempt from any form of subjection to any powerful nation or people. Buffalo states that self-government has been "effectively prevented by the due process of acculturation and the erosion of Aboriginal self-identification." Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains an individual presentation by Martha Hurry discussing her experience with going to the bush in the spring with her children. She was a kindergarten teacher at Peenamin School and took a leave of absence. Hurry was unsucessful in receiving unemployment benefits for those weeks in the bush and feels she was discriminated against. She asks the Commission for help in dealing with the local Canada Employment office. Following the presentation are brief remarks by Rene Dussault, Co-Chair.

File contains an individual presentation by Marvin Assinewai relating to Aboriginal post-secondary education. He recommends that the Canadian government recognize that all levels of education is an Aboriginal and treaty right, and that funding for post-secondary education increase so that each First Nation community could establish their own post-secondary policy. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains an individual presentation by Mary Ann Michel expressing frustration with the lifestyle her Innu people are living. Michel wants her people to be healthy, educated and productive members of Innu society but "the Canadian government's policies have destroyed the Innu way of life."

File contains an individual presentation by Mary Evik, resident of Pangnirtung, who provides historical background on health services in the community. Evik believes the old hospital that operated from the 1950s-1970s gave superior care to Pangnirtung and area residents, and feels the present nursing station is an inadequate band-aid solution to caring for residents.

File contains an individual presentation by Mary Lou Iahtail, teacher at Moosonee Public School in Moosonee, Ontario. She describes her experiences at the Fort Albany Residential School in Ontario where she learned to read and write in Cree. Iahtail states that a Cree immersion program is needed at her school and calls for the Commission to fund Cree immersion programs so the Cree language does not disappear.

File contains an individual presentation by Mavis Gillie focusing on "the idea of a moral and spiritual dimension to the right of Aboriginal peoples to be distinct peoples, to have an adequate land base and to be self-governing." Gillie works within the Anglican Church of Canada and describes her frustration with politicians who are unfamiliar with Aboriginal issues.

File contains an individual presentation by Michael Rich focusing on his experiences with the justice system in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He calls on the Commission to ensure that Aboriginal police officers, lawyers, judges and court workers work with Aboriginal people to negotiate through the justice system in a fair manner. Following the presentation are remarks by Rene Dussault and Mary Sillett.

File contains an individual presentation by Michael Voisey who seeks information on the land claims deal involving Sango Bay, Labrador. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains an individual presentation by Mrs. Millicent Loder, oldest elder in the community. She describes her childhood, the infrequent visits by doctors, her father's employment with the Hudson's Bay Company, nursing training in the United States, raising her children in Labrador, and her role as a valued elder in her community.

File contains an individual presentation by Moses Tom that touches on a number of issues, including elder care and inadequate child and family services programs. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

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 Nellie Carlson, founder of the Aboriginal women's group 'Indian Rights for Indian Women' in the early 1970s. She reads a letter from 30 April 1992 that was sent to Prime Minister Brian Mulroney outlining concerns with land claims and discrimination relating to Aboriginal women, and with the overall negative effects of Bill C-31 on Aboriginal women. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains an individual presentation by Norman Yellowbird asking why Treaty Indians, such as he, are not represented under the umbrella of "Aboriginal Peoples." He states that if self-government is to take place, the Canadian government must address the treaties. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioner Allan Blakeney.

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.

File contains an individual presentation by Pauline Johnson describing personal difficulties she has had with Bill C-31. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains an individual presentation by Peter Kelly that touches on a number of subjects that include the influence of elders, the drum and its meaning, legends and oral history, the Charlottetown Accord and the Indian Act. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.