File contains a presentation by Charlie Thompson, President of hte Port Alberni Friendship Centre. Thompson tells the history of his people, the problems caused by colonialism and the government's approach, his personal experience with residential schools, some issues of self-governance, and the story of his particular Friendship Centre. Following the presentation is a discussion between Thompson and Commissioners Erasmus and Robinson on the challenges facing urban Aboriginals.

File contains a presentation by President Jim Evoy, Northwest Territories Federation of Labour. Evoy discusses Aboriginal employment and labour unions as a vehicle for social change. Following the presentation the assembled Commissioners discuss the issues raised with Evoy.

File contains a presentation by Professor James Dumont. Dumon discusses "native values" as opposed to "white values" based on his research, and then applies his finding to the operation of the justice system.

File contains a presentation by Professor Patricia Monture-Okanee. She discusses her identity as a Mohawk woman and as a lawyer, about different conceptions of justice, and about patriarchy and colonialism.

This file contains a transcript of a part of a portion of a sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at Vancouver, British Columbia. This part includes presentation by Professor Vance Peavy concerning the health system in the Aboriginal community. Questions from the assembled Commissioners follow the presentation.

File contains a presentation made by Frank Morin for the Protectors of Mother Earth on environmental issues pertaining to Northern Saskatchewan communities and the lack of proper government representation. Also contained are comments and questions from the assembled Commissioners and those of the Commissioner-of-the-Day.

File contains a presentation by Ralph Richard on behalf of Native Employment Services in High Level, Alberta. Richard discusses his organizations history as a formerly federally funded, and now provincially funded agency that acts as an "honest broker" between non-Aboriginal employers and Aboriginal people. Richard discusses some of the issues his organization faces in this respect and their work with pipeline companies in Alberta. Following the presentation is a discussion between Richard and Commissioners Beaulieu, Robinson, and Dussault.

File contains a presentation by Ralph Tooktoshina and Alex Saunders, whose organization represents fishermen from the Upper Lake Melville area of Labrador. Tooktoshina discusses the lack of advancement opportunities for Aboriginal fishermen. Saunders discusses the new fish plant in Makkovik, Labrador, despite fish depletion at that settlement. Following the discussion is a lengthy question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Randy Sawyer. Sawyer discusses Aboriginal languages in Canada and their importance. Following the presentation Commissioners Wilson and Sillett discuss some of the issues raised with Sawyer.

File contains a presentation by Randy Tindale, Gabriel Dumont Non-Profit Homes. Tindale discusses the composition of his organization, its structure and mandate. He then goes on to relate difficulties it has experienced with the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, and what he describes as a minority of government bureaucrats with prejudicial attitudes towards Aboriginal organizations. Tindale reccomends that the federal government appoint an ombudsman to look into such concerns.

File contains a presentation by Ray Fox relating to a the establishment of an Aboriginal communications system in Canada. Fox is also president of the National Aboriginal Communications Society and he states that an Aboriginal communications system "must be non-political and protected from politicians" for it to work. A discussion with the Commissioners regarding Friendship Centres and CRTC policies follow the presentation.

File contains a presentation by Ray Katt and Bob Narcisse expressing concern for the high rate of Aboriginal students dropping out of high school in northern Ontario. The presenters state that non-Aboriginal teachers should have cultural sensitivity training and that more Aboriginals in the education field are needed. Katt states that because of numerous staff who are Aboriginal, his high school has the best rate of graduation for Aboriginal students in northern Ontario. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

This file contains a transcript of 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 Elder Ray Prince of the Northern Region of the National Aboriginal Veteran's Association on the topic of the situation of Aboriginal veterans in Canada compared to non-native veterans.

File contains a presentation by Raymond Laliberte, Metis Addictions Council. Raymond discusses his organization which aids all people with addictions regardless of legal status, including Status Indians and Non-Aboriginals. Laliberte discusses the disorganized state of Metis youth, his views on the Canadian Constitution and makes some specific recommendations for facilities to help address some of the social problems afflicting Aboriginal people.

File contains a presentation by Rebecca Johnson that acknowledges the need to work with Aboriginal businesspeople. She believes that changes to the Indian Act would permit Aboriginals to be more involved in business, and that GST makes accounting practices difficult for Aboriginal businesspeople. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Reed Gauthier in French. The presentation relating to the Canadian government's "systematic destruction of the cultures of Aboriginal peoples." Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners in English.

File contains a presentation by Reg Louttit of the Attawapiskat First Nation, Nation Justice Project. Louttit discusses the project on his First Nation, its origins, aims and difficulties encountered.

File contains a presentation by Regena Crowchild, President of the Indian Association of Alberta. Crowchild discusses Aboriginal lands in Canada, and argues that the Canadian government uses a racist approach to land claims questions based on the outdated notion of terra nulius. To ameliorate this, Crowchild suggests the Canadian government must recognize "Indigenous ownership to lands and resources." Crowchild then discusses Treaties and the need to discuss the benefits that non-Aboriginal people enjoy from the Treaty relationship.

This file contains a presentation by four members of the Indian Association of Alberta. The first speaker, Regena Crowchild, expresses disappointment with the Royal Commission's recommendation that "the right to self-determination is to 'pursue self-government within the structure of Confederation to join in the process of building a country that derives its strength from the contributions of all its peoples' is to misconstrue the meaning of the right of self-determination." Chowchild believes that "states have a duty to accommodate the aspirations of Indigenous peoples.

This file contains a presentation by Remi Kurtness and Alain Nepton relating to Aboriginal self-government. Among the recommendations: "(T)he right to self-government beyond the restrictive federal policy which still reflects a paternalistic federal responsibility; and the implementation of an authentic formula for self-government that gives political effect to what we consider was won in Charlottetown." A lengthy question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.

File contains a presentation by Rene Tenasco, Councillor of the Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg Council. Tenasco delivers an address on Aboriginal history in Canada, and his opinion on the ongoing move towards reconciliation of which the Royal Commission is a part. Following the statement Commissioner Dussault thanks Tenasco, and Commissioner Robinson discusses Indian Act concerns with Tenasco.

File contains a presentation by Renee K. Abram, Coordinator of the Ontario Literacy Coalition. Abram discusses the history of her organization and "the healing that is taking place in the communities at this time in the form of Native literacy programs." Following the presentation is a discussion between Abram and Commissioners Dussault, Wilson, and Blakeney on literacy issues.

The file contains a presentation by Reuben Ploughman. Ploughman discusses his perspective on the High Arctic Relocation as a Hudson's Bay Company employee at Inukjuaq (Port Harrison) and other locations in Northern Canada. Following the presentation Ploughman discusses some of his testimony with the assembled Commissioners.

This file contains a presentation by Rev. Dr. Raymond Hodgson and Rev. Peter Hemel. Their organization is a national ecumenical coalition, one of 12 national coalitions of the major Christian churches in Canada. The Taskforce assists the members in implementing policies adopted by the churches in the areas of corporate, social and environmental responsibility. For example, the Taskforce worked with the Nisga'a relating to a mine built in Alice Arm, British Columbia.

File contains a presentation by the Rev. Ken Forrester of the Roman Catholic Church Development and Peace Group. Forrester discusses some of his organizations views on issues like reconciliation, justice, solidarity, and the fight against racism and discrimination. Following the remarks Commissioners Dussault and Chartrand thank Forrester for his thoughts.

File contains a presentation by the Reverend Doug Greenough of the St. Clair United Church. Reverend Greenough, pastor of a Church on the Sarnia Reserve, discusses the United Church of Canada's views on Aboriginal spirituality, his own personal ones, and cross-cultural understanding.

File contains a presentation by Reverend Walter Edmunds of the Moravian Church of Labrador. He provides a brief history of the Moravian Church in Labrador and discusses the overlapping land claims of the Moravian Church and the Labrador Inuit Association. Following the discussion is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

This file contains a presentation by Reverends Douglas Crosby, OMI, Marc Lortie, OMI and Achiel Peelman, OMI. Their presentation makes a number of points, including recognition and implementation of Aboriginal self-government, Aboriginal input concerning decisions about Aboriginal lands leading to self-sufficiency, and the federal government's recognition of its fiduciary responsible to on- and off-reserve Aboriginals, Metis, non-status and registered Aboriginal people. A lengthy question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.

This file contains a transcript of a part of a portion of a sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at Vancouver, British Columbia. This part includes presentation by Rhea Joseph of the British Columbia Native Brotherhood concerning the health care system and social issues in the Aboriginal community. Questions from the assembled Commissioners follow the presentation.

This file contains a presentation by Rhonda Alain discussing her group's research project that identifies concerns and issues that impact on the lives of Aboriginal youth and finding solutions to those concerns. She calls for Canada-wide Aboriginal youth groups; school curricula to include an accurate history of Aboriginal peoples; healing circles that include involvement of elders; and recreation programs that promote positive self-image for Aboriginal youth. A lengthy question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.

File contains a presentation by Rhoda Fiander, social worker at Waterford Hospital, St. John's, Newfoundland. Waterford Hospital has the only psychiatric facility in Newfoundland. She presents five recommendations to assist in the treatment of mental health issues for Aboriginal people, including improved access to interpreting services, training of social work staff that includes Aboriginal culture issues, and support and advocacy must be given to Aboriginal peoples' desire to heal themselves. Following the presentation is a discussion with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Richard Chaske, President of the Manitoba Association of Friendship Centres. He discusses the history and role of Friendship Centres in assisting urban aboriginal peoples in Manitoba, believing that more government resources should be available to implement programs to ease the transition from reserve life to urban life. Commissioners Allan Blakeney and Paul Chartrand provide questions and comments.

File contains a wide ranging presentation by Richard Francis and Darrell Paul of the Kingsclear Maliseet First Nation. The presentation is given on behalf of Chief Stephen Sacobie who was unable to attend due to other commitments. Francis outlines a wide variety of concerns to his people centering around the right to self-determination and autonomy, as well as offering a critique of what he sees as a governmental system driven by greed.

File contains a presentation by Richard Long that examines concerns of the off-reserve Aboriginal person. Long states that off-reserve Aboriginal persons feel they have no political or financial power and he questions who will govern urban Aboriginals in the larger centres. He introduces Nora Houle, representative of the Native Council of Canada Board of Directors.

File contains a presentation by Richard McKay, Traditional Resource User. McKay covers a wide variety of topics related to his life as a trapper and fisherman in northern Saskatchewan. McKay expresses frustration by the uneven application of vague resource laws towards Aboriginal peoples by the provincial government, and the unwillingness of the government to consult or make policy in colloboration with trappers. McKay also expresses his problems with the regulations regarding land use in the north, and how they seemingly benefit Americans and other outsiders more than the actual northerners.

File contains a presentation by Richard Mills and Evelyn Buffalo focusing on the approach Aboriginals have toward health care: the mental, emotional, physical and spiritual aspects. The two presenters state that an Aboriginal health centre is required as non-Aboriginal health care workers do not understand the Aboriginal approach to health care. They anticipate the new health centre to be open in 1993.

File contains a presentation by Rick Krehbiel, Regional Director of the Ministry of Environment in Fort St. John. Krehbiel discusses a variety of issues from his perspective as an official of the British Columbia government, who previously worked for the Saskatchewan government in the north of that province.

File contains a presentation by Ricki Schock, Native Outreach Coordinator, Native Council PEI. Schock's presentation deals with a federal program called Pathways, and is intended to "point out that it is not only a bad policy, and entirely inconsistent with native self-government, but...also an example of the kind of thing you should be advising the government not to do." Following the presentation is a discussion with the Commissioners.

The file contains a presentation by Rita Corbiere. Corbiere, an Ojibwa Elder from the Wikwemikong Unceded Reserve, discusses the past of the Anishnabe people, economic and taxation issues, the state of the British Empire and Monarchy, the Chartered Lands Act, fisheries, environmental issues, Ojibwa service in the War of 1812, the 1836 Treaty on Manitoulin Island, and the Chartered Lands Act.

This file contains a presentation by Rivard Larouche and Jean-Benoit Gagnon that first provides a history of the organization. The presentation focuses on the cultural, sociological and economic aspects of trapping activity in Quebec. Trapping is vital for survival for some trappers; it is also culturally significant with generations of trappers in families. A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.

This file contains a presentation by Rix Rogers relating to his experiences traveling to a number of rural and remote First Nations in Canada and speaking with Aboriginal leaders about child welfare and family violence. People cannot heal themselves when they live in a threatening environment, so creating a new social climate is essential before dealing with patterns of violence. Rogers states that if there is to be a restoration of the full richness of Aboriginal culture, it likely will occur because of the efforts of women.

File contains a presentation by RMP (Ron Momogeeshick Peters), an Ojibwa man, relates his personal life story including relationship difficulties and the struggles he has faced in his life.

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 Rob Belfrey of the Ogemawahj Tribal Council, at a Round Table discussion of self-government.

This file contains a presentation by Rob Bomberry and Glen Foster relating to Aboriginals and the criminal justice system. Bomberry feels that if Aboriginal youth are educated in their culture and traditional ways, perhaps that could help them avoid criminal activity. The speakers feel that elders have been under-utilized to the detriment of the youth. A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.

File contains a presentation by Robert Alexis, Vice Chief for Trapping. Alexis is Vice Chief of Trapping for the Gwich'in people of Fort McPherson and discusses the problems and concerns of trappers in his presentation. The most important issue facing trappers he states is the switiching of traps from traditional leg holds to conibear traps. He contrasts trapping with office work and professes his love for the lifestyle of the trap line. He discusses how the conibear is a bad substitute for the traditional leg hold traps.

File contains a presentation by Robert Beaudin focusing on special education, as defined as a refinement of existing programs offered to children. He believes that the funding methodology used by the Department of Indian Affairs Canada should be re-evaluated to accommodate First Nations in meeting and satisfying the terms and conditions of the Department's funding arrangements. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

This file contains a presentation by Chief Robert Bone that begins with a history of Dakota people by Reverend Donald Pratt, also of the Sioux Valley Reserve. Bone focuses on the government red tape needed to negotiate through the Intervenor Participation Program and on a larger scale, through the self-government and land claims process. A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.

File contains a presentation by Robert Bruce Jr. that touches on a number of subjects, including preservation of Aboriginal culture, economic development, women's rights, lack of employment and funding for a local youth camp. A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.

File contains a presentation by Robert Doucette. Doucette discusses conditions for Metis people within the City of Saskatoon, and Saskatchewan generally. Doucette highlights problems of institutional racism, access to education, ignorance of Aboriginal identity and issues in the general population, migration to urban centres, and related issues. Doucette also discusses the need for a Metis land base and the differences in the way the government addresses Metis and Treaty people's issues.

File contains a presentation by Robert Doucette that begins with the history of the Metis Society of Saskatchewan and its locals. He states that Metis people need to have control over education, natural resources, relocation, hunting and trapping, taxation, trade, among other numerous issues. He feels that Metis people deserve the funding allocated to Aboriginal and Inuit people and calls to the Commission to help restore rights and funding to the Metis peoples. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.