File contains a presentation by Marvin Frost that begins with a brief biographical sketch of Grafton Njootli, longtime political leader with the Vuntut Gwitch'in First Nation. Frost touches on a number of issues, including justice, alcohol abuse, taxation, unfulfilled treaty obligations and health problems. A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.

File contains a presentation by Marvin Sampson focusing on the social problems caused by residential schools, forms of abuse, and alcohol and drug abuse. Sampson states the programs in place in his community are under-funded and under-staffed, resulting in broken families and individuals. He states that self-government is ineffective if Aboriginal people are unable to recover from negative events in their past. Following the presentation is a brief question-and-answer session with Georges Erasmus, Co-Chair.

The file contains a presentation by Mary Ann Crow Healy. Crow Healy discusses the Indian Act, and the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs, arguing that both should be abolished. Crow Healy's second recommendation is that the federal government invite Aboriginal people's into Confederation, and claims that this kind of partnership is a necessity to move forward. Presenters Kurtis Eagle Speaker, Amber Flett, Kelly Healy, Kristen Many Bears, and Michelle Spear Chief also contribute comments on this second recommendation.

The file contains a presentation by Mary Ann Crow Healy. Crow Healy, a Native liaison worker with the Lethbridge Public School Districts No. 9 and 51, introduces the next series of presenters and discusses the format which will follow.

File contains a presentation by Mary Ann Felle, Cross Cultural Information Committee. Felle advances a proposal for an Aboriginal child care structure which she "believe[s] would work to maintain a child's sense of identity and encourage the development of self-worth and self-esteem." Following the presentation is a discussion with the Commissioners regarding issues raised.

File contains a presentation by Mary Anne Wilson, Skidegate Caregivers. Skidegate is a small reserve of the Haida Gwaii people on the Queen Charlotte Islands. Wilson discusses the administrative structure of the band, its' health needs, and her organization's composition and mandate. Wilson discusses the need for a healing house for the people there, and some of the needs it could address in the community such as addictions, general and cultural education.

File contains a presentation by Mary Charleson of Victoria, British Columbia, via sign language interpreter. Charleson attended the Jericho Hill School for the Deaf in Vancouver where there were few Aboriginal people. She would like to see a program for assisting hearing-impaired Aboriginal people who want to return to their reserve. A discussion with the Commissioners follows the presentation.

File contains a presentation by Mary Desmoulin providing a brief history of the Sault Ste. Marie Friendship Centre. She describes the Friendship Centre's goal as "improving the quality of life for Aboriginal people in an urban environment by supporting self-determined activities which encourage both equal access to partnership in Canadian society and in Aboriginal culture. Desmoulin also expresses concern for children, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal, with recent government cutbacks on child care.

File contains a presentation by Mary Ellen Arnup, Research Officer, Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Province of Alberta. Arnup presents statistical information on the prevalence of unnatural deaths in the Aboriginal communities of Alberta due to alcohol or drug abuse with relation to the rate in the non-Aboriginal community. Arnup presents her findings. Following the presentation Arnup and preceding presenter John Butt discuss their findings with Commissioners Blakeney and Chartrand.

File contains a presentation by Mary Ellen Turpel, Professor, Dalhousie University, Constitutional Advisor to the Assembly of First Nations. Turpel discusses her own background, her work with land claims, and gives a critique of some of the fundamental concepts behind Canadian law.

File contains a presentation by Mary Ford. Ford discusses traditional customary adoption amongst Labradorians, then goes on to discuss how this has changed for the worse since the Department of Social Services came in. Following the presentation Ford and Commissioner Dussault discuss some of the issues raised.

File contains a presentation Mary Guilbeault, Vice-Chairperson, Aboriginal Council of Winnipeg. The presentation contains some personal background on Guilbeault and her experiences as an Aboriginal woman and community/political leader in Winnipeg. She raises a number of issues, most importantly the neccessity to recognize Treaty Rights and provide services regardless of geographic location. Following the presentation is a brief discussion with the Commissioners regarding both this presentation and Eric Robinson's similarly themed one on urban Aboriginal issues in Winnipeg.

File contains a presentation by Mary Jane Litchard, Baleen Artist. Litchard, an Inuit-Comanche woman from Alaska, discusses her experiences in Canada and issues with the international border, her difficulties transporting the Baleen she works on as a medium across boundaries, language issues, midwifery, tuberculosis and other health issues, prejudice, and the value of community counselling and healing services. Following the presentation is a conversation between Litchard and Commissioners Dussault and Sillet on some of the issues raised.

File contains a presentation by Mary Jane Moses relating to health services in Old Crow. Because of the high turnover of nurses, Moses suggests shorter rotations for nurses in the district to prevent burnout. Moses also recommends that courses on Aboriginal and Inuit culture be included in the education of nurses who work in the North. A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.

This file contains a presentation by Mary Moore, Margaret Bernard, Barbara Bernard and Laura Bernard relating to the lack of input by Aboriginal women relating to future decisions about Aboriginal self-determination and self-government. The presenters also state that no shelter exists for women and children in crisis in Prince Edward Island, and the group is working towards funding a shelter and training Aboriginal staff to operate it. A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.

File contains a presentation by Mary O'Donnell focusing on parental involvement in education at all levels. She states that Aboriginal parents have a responsibility to sit on committees and PTAs to share information, give advice and generally support their children during their educational years. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

This file contains a portion of a transcript of a sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at Hotel Saskatchewan, Regina, Saskatchewan. This portion of the Commission includes a presentation by Mary Pitananakwat concerning the employment of Aboriginals in the Community and human rights. Questions from the assembled commissioners are also present.

File contains a presentation by Mary Rose Maksagak discussing the lack of recreation facilities, housing and educational opportunities in Cambridge Bay. She hopes that Grades 11 and 12 will be offered soon as students must leave home to finish high school in Yellowknife. She calls on the Commission to help with proposed funding for a new building that would hold Grades 9-12 under one roof. A lengthy question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.

This file contains a presentation by Mary Roulette stating that an "Aboriginal justice system would provide justice equitably to all Aboriginal people in Canada in terms that are authentic, efficient, productive and, most importantly, less costly if measured in success in a broad social and economic sense than the existing system." Her organization is the only Aboriginal-controlled unit in Manitoba and believes that more Aboriginal-controlled justice organizations would help Aboriginals more.

File contains a presentation by Mary Simon, Melva George, Christine Keechago and Amanda Blackbird. The presenters discuss education concerns in their Ojibwa and Oneida communities, particularly with regard to Aboriginal language curricula.

File contains a presentation by Mary Veltri focusing on the delivery of Aboriginal legal services in the District of Thunder Bay, Ontario. Veltri's organization has been very successful in assisting Aboriginal people with legal issues, and believes that other communities in northern Ontario could benefit from the same services her organization provides. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Mary Wiegers, President, Provincial Metis Women of Saskatchewan. Wiegers highlights her concerns with the notion of Metis self-governance in Saskatchewan. She is highly critical of how Metis institutions have been functioning in the province, and argues that self-governance as things are currently consituted will lead to abuses by the Metis leadership. Wiegers highlights examples of electoral fraud, and undemocratic behaviour within the Saskatchewan Metis organization.

File contains a presentation by Matt Vickers discussing the downsizing of the Hazelton, British Columbia district office of the Department of Indian Affairs and the adverse effect upon the Aboriginal people it serves. He also discusses Bill C-31 and what he believes is inadequate alternative funding arrangements offered by the Canadian government.

File contains a presentation by Matt Vickers focusing on the impact of the imposed political, educational, social and religious systems on North American Aboriginal peoples. He lists statistics for offences committed in the Kispiox area and calls on the Commission to ensure that "immediate steps are taken to ensure that documented cases of dysfunctional relations that are mostly a result of the residential school systems receive immediate assistance regarding their recovery process. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Maureen Larkin containing some general impressions on the Commission and the issues it faces. Larkin discusses racism, education, self-government, land claims, and external representations, as well as her hopes for the Commission.

File contains a presentation by Maureen Sager, Environmental Coalition. Sager states that she did not realize she would be on the agenda at the hearing, then goes on to outline the views of her group on First Nations issues in a brief presentation. She discusses their interpretation of Canadian history, the need for new negotiations between Canada and First Nations on a nation-to-nation basis, environmental issues regarding the local pulp mill, and why her organization feels the ongoing Constitutional talks (at the time of the presentation) were inadequate.

File contains a presentation by Mavis Henry, social worker for the [Pauquachin] Band. Her presentation illustrates the need for better housing, mental health services and increased personal safety on First Nations. Henry states to the Commissioners that without basic security in one's own home, children grow up "victimized as there is no support from the local community or from the justice system." She hopes the Commission will ensure that "our people become powerful, healthy and strong again."

File contains a presentation by Maxine Noel. Noel, a professional artist, discusses the difficulties for female Aboriginal artists, and lauds the Canadian Native Arts Foundation for its endeavours and assistance to artists. Following the presentation are comments by Commissioners Erasmus, Dussault, and Chartrand for Noel. Following this are brief remarks by John Kim Bell on behalf of the Canadian Native Arts Foundation.

File contains a presentation by Maxwell Yalden, Commissioner of the Canadian Human Rights Commission, regarding his organizations past advocacy on behalf of Aboriginal peoples (including its support for the creation of the Commission), a universalist approach to Charter of Rights and Freedoms rights, his view that the Charter is complimentary to collective Aboriginal rights, the need to redress and relieve discrimination and abuses against Aboriginal Canadians, the importance of acting now with regards to Aboriginal issues rather than later.

File contains remarks by Mayor Bruce Unfried of the town of The Pas, Manitoba. Unfried welcomes the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples to his community, and expresses his hopes for the process on behalf of himself and the town council.

The file contains a presentation by Mayor Clifford G. Branchflower, City of Kamloops. Mayor Branchflower discusses his views on Aboriginal self-government, how he sees the need for a flexible approach, and the history of his municipalities relationship with the Kamloops Indian Band. Following the presentation Commissioner Mary Sillett discusses some of the issues raised with Mayor Branchflower and Moderator Bob Manuel.

File contains a presentation by Mayor Lawrence Martin on behalf of the town of Sioux Lookout. Martin discusses his position as an Aboriginal person and Mayor, the changing demographics of the town, his personal background, the Wataway Native Communications Society, self-governance issues, education and the difficulty of separating non-Aboriginal and Aboriginal issues in a mixed town like Sioux Lookout, cultural education and race relations, the local friendship centre, Aboriginal language curriculum.

File contains a presentation by Mayor Pat McMahon. McMahon discusses a variety of concerns including urban Aboriginal issues generally, municipal governance issues, education, economic development, justice issues, family violence, self-governance, and the Constitution. Following the presentation the assembled Commissioners discuss some of the issues raised with McMahon.

File contains a presentation by Raymond Michaud, Mayor of Fort Simpson, Northwest Territories, providing the history relating to Treaties 8 and 11 and the subsequent broken promises and misinterpretation of those treaties. He states that land claims negotiations of the past 30 years also had promises were not fulfilled, either. Michaud wants the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly to remain intact, with regional and municipal councils. Following the presentation, Michaud answers questions from Commissioner Allan Blakeney.

File contains a presentation by Mayor Tom Lawson of Grand Bend, Ontario, and Walter Kornas. Lawson, presenting as an individual, discusses economic self-sufficiency with regard to reserves. Lawson discusses business partnership programs, on-reserve banking, and related security issues. Following the presentation Lawson and Kornas discuss economic self-sufficiency and entrepreneurship issues with Commissioners Chartrand and Erasmus.

File contains a presentation by Meeka Arnagia, Chairman, Mental Health Association, Pangnirtung, who gives a brief history of mental health services in the Pangnirtung area. The lease agreement on their building is up in 1993 and the group also lacks a shelter for family violence victims. Arnagia calls for considerably more funding to need the need for mental health services. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Meeka Kilabuk, Executive Director, Baffin Regional Council. She provides background information on the purpose of the Council and the large land base that the Council covers. Kilabuk states that the high cost of airfare is a deterrent when members of the Council, located great distances apart, attempt to meet. Kilabuk also relates a successful effort by the Baffin Regional Council to raise the quota on hunting Beluga whales from 5 to 35 and wonders why this number is always under review by the Canadian government, as the whales are essential for survival.

This file contains a presentation by Melanie Omeniho that first describes her organization's mandate as being a political activist group that continues to develop and/or improve social structures to meet the needs of Metis women. The group assists in developing economic bases for Metis women, as well as developing educational and culturally sensitive opportunities to better the lives of Metis women.

This file contains a transcript of a part of a portion of a sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at Prince George, British Columbia. This part includes a Presentation by members of the All Nations Youth Council, Author Thomas, Jolene Lalonde, Tracy Peters, Wanda Willier, Chris Brett, Jason Thomas, April Prince, Pearl Morgan, George Chapman, Carla Aubichon, Karen Aubichon and Dave Norbert concerning activities of youth in the Aboriginal community. Questions from the assembled commissioners are also included with the answers that were provided.

This file contains a transcript of a portion of a sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at The Fern Resort, Orillia, Ontario. This portion includes a presentation by the United Indian Councils given by Vice-Chief Cynthia Wesley-Esquimaux; Greer Atkinson; Laurie Flynn; Chief Jeff Monague and Vice-Chief Mel Jacobs, at a Round Table discussion of Self-Government.

This file contains a transcript of a portion of a sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at The Fern Resort, Orillia, Ontario. This portion includes a presentation by Merle Assance-Beedie of the Barrie Area Native Advisory Circle (BANAC), at a Round Table discussion of Self-Government.

This file contains a presentation by Merv Pedlow focusing on the Human Resources Opportunity Program, whose purpose is to attempt to respond to the high level of unemployment and high level of social assistance required in those communities. One service provided is procuring funding for students wanting a post-secondary education and Pedlow's organization helps students negotiate through federal, provincial and local government criteria and restrictions to receive funding. A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.

File contains a presentation on behalf of the Metis Addcitions Council of Saskatchewan by Ms. Georgina Jolibois. Jolibois discusses the demographic make up of La Loche, some of the problems facing its youth, and her personal experiences as a youth councillor. Jolibois highlights problems with a lack of recreation facilities, proper housing, family violence, alcohol and drug abuse, a high rate of teenage pregnancy, welfare dependency and a lack of employment options, and the lack of educational facilities.

File contains a presentation made by Brian Favel for the Metis Society, Local 21 on the topics of the justice system, the education opportunities for northern communities, economic development and self-government in Aboriginal communities. Also contained are comments and questions from the assembled Commissioners and those of the Commissioner-of-the-Day.

File contains a presentation by Armand Murray of the La Loche Local of the Metis Society of Saskatchewan. Murray discusses the need for recognition of Aboriginal rights on the part of government, land issues, a lack of capital in the community for utilizing resources, a conflict with the provincial government over Clearwater River park, fisheries issues, forestry issues, tourism and guiding, and related issues. Following the presentation Commissioner Dussault discusses some of the issues raised with Murray.

File contains a presentation made by Bernice Hammersmith on Aboriginal self-government issues pertaining to the Métis society. Also contained are comments and questions from the assembled Commissioners and those of the Commissioner-of-the-Day.

File contains a presentation made by Senator Vital Morin for the Métis Society of Saskatchewan on the topic of the justice system pertaining to native communities. Also contained are comments and questions from the assembled Commissioners and those of the Commissioner-of-the-Day.

File contains a presentation by Betty Thomas and Jean Clayton of the Metro United Way (Halifax). Thomas and Clayton discuss their organizational history and their Multicultralism/Anti-Racism Program. Following the presentation Commissioners Erasmus discusses the program with them.

File contains a presentation by Mgr Gerard Drainville, Bishop of Amos, Roman Catholic Diocese. Drainville discusses the territory for which he is responsible in the context of Aboriginal-Non-Aboriginal relations. Drainville reads a pastoral letter delivered originally by the Quebec Assembly of Catholic Bishops. Drainville discusses colonization, rights, land, tensions, spirituality, and related matters in relations between the two groups. The assembled Commissioners comment on and discuss the presentation with Drainville.

File contains a presentation by Chief Geraldine Kelly, Archaeologist Jerry Penny, Director of Education Edwina Wetzel, and Michael Joe, all of the Miawpukek Band, Conne River, Newfoundland. The presenters discuss the history of the Micmac people in Newfoundland, and claim that they have Aboriginal rights on the island. They discuss some of the archaeological and historical evidence for this, and the court case that the band is involved in with the federal government to have these claims recognized.