Commissions & Inquiries

The file contains a presentation on behalf of Central Interior First Nations Community Futures, Arthur Manuel and Geri Collins. Manuel discusses the overall economic and business situation for First Nations people in the British Columbia interior, and makes a variety of recommendations to the Commission to improve it. Following the presentation Commissioner Mary Sillett discusses some of hte issues raised with Manuel and Collins.

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 on behalf of Dr. Dave Bridgeman, a chiropractor working in Whitehorse, Yukon. His presentation, read by Antonia Jack, discusses "the ongoing and seemingly discriminatory practice by the Non-Aboriginal system which outright prevents the Aboriginal from choosing the care of the chiropractic doctor for his or her ills in time of need, and having it covered by the insurance program that is in place for Native people." Antonia Jack continues with her presentation. A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.

File contains a presentation by Doug Willy, Human Resources Manager and Tom Holford, General Manager of NWT Chamber of Mines. Willy and Holford discuss the involvement of Aboriginal people in development, employment, and training. Following the presentation Willy and Holford discuss some of the issues raised with the assembled Commissioners.

The file contains a presentation on behalf of Inter-tribal Forestry Association by Harold Derickson. Derickson discusses Aboriginal participation in the forestry sector, barriers to participation, co-management practices, problems with Department of Indian Affairs forestry policy, job training issues, and business development issues. Derickson makes a variety of recommendations with regard to forestry. Following the presentation Commissioner Mary Sillett discusses most of the issues raised with Derickson.

The file contains a presentation on behalf of the Interior Indian Friendship Society by Executive Director Ruth Williams. Williams discusses the organizational structure of the Friendship Centre, its funding, the demographic situation in Kamloops, and some of the issues facing urban Aboriginal populations. Williams also makes a series of recommendations to the Commission with respect to Friendship Centres and urban Aboriginal concerns generally in the economic, social, and cultural spheres. Following the presentation Commissioner Mary Sillett discusses some of the issues raised with Williams.

File contains a presentation on behalf of MLA John Todd in letter form read aloud by Mayor Paul Kaludjak. Kaludjak reads the letter which includes best wishes for the Commission and expresses regret that Todd is unable to meet with them due to inclement weather (Todd is in the capital of NWT, Yellowknife). He states that he will send the Commissioners a written submission soon, and Commissioner Robinson states that she looks forward to receiving it.

File contains a presentation by Elder Dorothy Day on behalf of the N'Amerind Elders Group of London, Ontario. Elder Day discusses Aboriginal history, colonization, education, reserve life, government policy, and crime concerns. Following Elder Day's presentation Commissioner Erasmus thanks her for sharing her views with the Commission.

File contains a presentation by President Bernice Ireland and student Roly Williams on behalf of the Nokee Kwe Adult Education Centre. President Ireland discusses the unique needs of Aboriginal adult students, the centre's history and mandate. Williams discusses funding cutbacks, racism and discrimination, cultural concerns, and self-governance issues. Following the presentations the two presenters discuss some of the issues raised with Commissioners Chartrand and Erasmus.

File contains a presentation by Mayor Paul Kaludjak. He is also facilitator of the day's proceedings, gives a brief overview of the communities history and discusses its economic and social composition. Kaludjak also discusses his hopes for the creation of Nunavut, Rankin Inlet's role as an administrative centre, and the possibility of it becoming capital of the new territory. Following his presentation, he introduces the next presenter.

The file contains a presentation on behalf of Red Crow Community College by Marie Marule. Marule discusses post-secondary issues with respect to Treaty rights, First Nations relations with the provincial and federal governments, and self-governance. Marule discusses these issues in both a general and specific sense with relation to her own institution in Southern Alberta. Following the presentation Commissioner Georges Erasmus discusses some of the issues raised with Marule.

The file contains a presentation on behalf of Secwepemc re: Chiefs Memorial 1910 by Chief Nathan Matthew, Chief Antoine Archie, Chief Lenny Sellars, and Bob Manuel.

The file contains a presentation on behalf of Secwepemc re Gonzaga University and Secwepemc Cultural Education Society. Elizabeth Pete, John Hart, and Chief Nathan Matthew discuss the programs available at the University, and the role of Secwepemc Cultural Education Society in Secwepemc communities. Commissioner Sillett discuss some of the issues raised with Pete, Chief Matthew, and Hart.

The file contains a presentation on behalf of Secwepemc re Housing by Bruce Mack. Mack discusses two main problems with regard to Secwepemc housing: a lack of funding and a lack of resources. Mack also makes a recommendation to the Commission regarding housing.

The file contains a presentation on behalf of Secwepemc re Justice, Charlene Belleau. Belleau, Family Violence Co-ordinator of the Cariboo Tribal Council, discusses justice issues with reference to Secwepemc communities, and makes a variety of recommendations to the Commission on these matters.

The file contains a presentation on behalf of Secwepemc re Resource Management. Fred Fortier and David Moore, both of the Shuswap Nation Fisheries Commission, discuss declining salmon and steelhead populations, mismanagement of fish stocks, the B.C. Fishermen's Survival Coalition's "racially-oriented campaign against the Aboriginal Fisheries Strategy," and recommendations to deal with these problems. Chief Lenny Sellars, Caribou Tribal Council, discusses enviornmental protection, land stewardship, and co-management.

The file contains a presentation on behalf of Secwepemc re Self-Government, Chief Willie Alphonse. Chief Willie Alphonse, Chief of the Cariboo Lake Band, discusses self-government concerns of the Secwepemc with reference to the Treaty making process, land claims, jurisdiction, and Indian Act concerns. Chief Alphonse makes a variety of recommendations with respect to these issues. Following the presentation Commissioner Mary Sillett discusses some of the issues raised with Moderator Chief Nathan Matthew.

The file contains a presentation on behalf of Secwepemc re Taxation. Presenter Chief Manny Jules discusses First Nations taxation issues, specifically with respect to the situation around Kamloops, relevant federal and provincial legislation, property tax and land issues, sales tax, income tax, corporate tax, the Charlottetown Accord, and infrastructure. Bob Manuel, an entrepreneur, discusses business taxation. Andre Ledressay discusses the Shuswap contribution to tax coffers. Commissioner Sillett and Moderator Chief Matthew also discuss some of the issues raised with the presenters.

The file contains a presentation on behalf of Ska-hiish Holdings Limited by Arthur Manuel. Manuel discusses the company which is owned and operated by his extended and immediate family. Manuel discusses land, taxation, and start-up capital issues. Following the presentation Commissioner Mary Sillett discusses some of the issues raised with Manuel, after which a closing prayer concludes the day's sitting of the Royal Commission.

The file contains a presentation on behalf of the Sto:lo Tribal Council by Chief Clarence Pennier. Chief Pennier gives an overview of his organization's composition and activities representing 11 of the 24 Sto:lo Bands. Chief Pennier discusses the importance of culture to the Sto:lo, historical wrongs committed by the Canadian government upon them, problems with the Indian Act elections structure, and explains the traditional Sto:lo governance principles.

File contains a presentation by Robert George on behalf of the Stony Point First Nation. George discusses his peoples history, how he says they were defrauded of their lands and kicked off their reserve by the government, how the Kettle Point Council claims they were one reserve together but that they dispute this, and details of the dispute between his people, Indian Affairs, and Kettle Point. Following the presentation Commissioners Georges Erasmus and Paul Chartrand discuss the issues raised with George.

The file contains a presentation on behalf of the Coalition Against First Nations Genocide by Stewart Phillip and Pierre Kruger. Phillip discusses the organization's demographic composition and mandate which involves pressuring federal and provincial governments to ensure their policies are involve "credible processes of community level consultations" and "full and complete democratic participation and decision-making based on informed consent."

File contains a presentation by Irene Tiktaalaaq and Joan Scottie of the Concerned Citizens of Baker Lake. Tiktaalaq discusses unemployment and poverty among the people of Baker Lake, and her efforts with others to establish a community food bank without any government assistance to alleviate these problems. She concludes by recommending that the government raise welfare and pension levels to the amount that northerners do not run out of food money before the end of the month.

File contains a presentation by Henry Zoe, MLA, on behalf of the Dogrib Treaty 11 Council. Zoe outlines some of the problems facing the Treaty 11 Council and presents solutions on settling their land claim, institutions of self-governance, and regional economic development. The Treaty 11 Council represents the communities of Rae/Edzo, Lac la Martre, Rae Lakes, and Snare Lake. Following Zoe's presentation the assembled Commissioners discuss some of the issues raised with him.

File contains a presentation by Mayor Paul Kaludjak on behalf of the Hamlet of Rankin Inlet. He discusses education, health care, justice, self-governance, and alcohol and drug problems in the North. Following his presentation Commissioner Robinson thanks Kaludjak, and Commissioner Blakeney discusses the different municipal categories and funding frameworks in operation in the Northwest Territories.

File contains a presentation by Ollie Itinuar on behalf of the Inuit Cultural Institute. He is an elder who speaks Inuktitut. His address is given in English translation and covers topics such as cultural preservation and the importance of the transmission of traditional culture to younger generations. Following his presentation Commissioner Robinson thanks Itinuar, and Commissioner Blakeney discusses transportation and the preservation of oral records on tape with him.

The file contains a presentation on behalf of the Inuvik Community Corporation by Vice-Chairman Pauline Gordon and Chairman Glenna Hanson.

The file contains a presentation on behalf of the Inuvik Regional Multicultural Society by Louis Beck and Simon Jozzy. Beck discusses "the society and what it stands for" through the use of a parable. Simon Jozzy discusses what the multicultural society means to him personally as an immigrant to Canada and stresses that "learning and education is the foundation of understanding." Louis Beck then goes on to discuss racism and combatting it, while Jozzy ads the need for increased education and the important role that parents play in forming children's attitudes about race.

File contains a presentation by Elizabeth Palfrey of the Keewatin Regional Health Board. Palfrey introduces herself as a Southern Aboriginal woman who has relocated to the North.

File contains a presentation on behalf of the Metis Association of the Northwest Territories by Gordon Lennie, Vice-President. Lennie, presenting on behalf of President Gary Bohnet, raises concerns with underrepresentation of Metis peoples in the first round of Royal Commission sittings, as well as Commission composition and funding issues. Following the presentation the assembled Commissioners discuss the issues raised with Lennie.

File contains a presentation by Lynda Powless and Dan Smoke on behalf of the Native Journalists Association. The presenters discuss the composition and mandate of their organization which is national in scope, its' history, and upcoming founding convention. They also discuss some of the journalistic work their members have done. Following the presentation the presenters discuss some of the issues raised with Commissioners Chartrand and Erasmus.

File contains a presentation by Miles Morrisseau on behalf of the Native News Network. Morrisseau discusses bias towards Aboriginal people in the mainstream Canadian media, the role of Aboriginal media in achieving self-determination, its role in healing Aboriginal communities, and his personal experiences as an Aboriginal journalist. Following the presentation Commissioners Chartrand and Erasmus discuss some of the issues raised with Morrisseau.

File contains a presentation by Commissioner Betty Harnum of the Northwest Territories Language Commissioner Office. Harnum discusses official languages status and other Aboriginal language issues. Harnum discusses the NWT unique classification of six Aboriginal languages (in addition to English and French) as official languages, and a variety of language concerns dealing with the country as a whole. Following Harnum's presentation the assembled Commissioners discuss language concerns with her.

File contains a presentation on behalf of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Mackenzie by Sister Marie Karowny. Karowny discusses "the rebuilding of the relationship between the church and Aboriginal people, as well as Aboriginal governments, economic development, health and social issues." Following the presentation the assembled Commissioners discuss some of the issues raised with Sister Karowny.

File contains a presentation by Mark French on behalf of the Seven Bands Community Futures Committee. French discusses the history of Aboriginal-European relations in Canada, colonization, assimilation, and his own ideas on self-determination and self-governance. Following the presentation Commissioner Erasmus discusses some of the ideas raised with French.

The file contains a presentation on behalf of the Shuswap Okanagan Metis Association by Greg Mazur and Tim Low. Mazur, Vice-President of the Shuswap Okanagan Metis Organization, discusses the composition of his organization which represents approximately 650 Metis citizens as part of the larger Pacific Metis Federation. Mazur discusses the definition of Metis. Tim Low, Director of the SOMA, delivers a brief history of the Metis Nation.

The file contains a presentation on behalf of Sik-ooh-Kotoki Friendship Society by Mike Bruised Head and Stan Knowlton. The presentation deals with general economic development issues.

File contains a presentation by Chief Jerry Paulette on behalf of the South River First Nation (formerly known as the Fort Smith Native Band). Paulette discusses a variety of concerns including treaties, programs and services, self-governance, and "how title and a bilateral process eveolves around self-government." Following the presentation the assembled Commissioners discuss some of the issues raised with Paulette.

File contains a presentation on behalf of the Student Association of Arctic College by President Georgina Franki, Maureen O'Hagan, and Vice-President Daniel Oteiza. The three presenters lay out their perspectives on the Native Studies program at Arctic College and why they think it is an important to have as preparation for self-governance. O'Hagan presents from the perspective of the only non-Aboriginal student in the program, while the other two are leaders of the student body. Following the presentation the assembled Commissioners discuss the Native Studies program with the presenters.

The file contains a presentation on behalf of the Treaty 7 Tribal Council by Gregg Smith, Dorothy First Rider, and Chief Roy Whitney. Smith discusses the organizations activities representing Treaty 7 First Nations, and its relations with the federal government. Smith also gives a video presentation (not included in the transcript). Smith makes a variety of recommendations to the Committee with respect to self-governance, Treaty rights and responsibilities.

The file contains a presentation on behalf of the Westbank Indian Band by Tom Lindley. Lindley discusses difficulties with the Indian Act rules for band governance, disputes within the community and the desire to recall the band representatives, issues with taxation and non-Aboriginal people living on reserve, and concerns with self-government negotiations underway. Following the presentation Commissioner Mary Sillett discusses some of the issues raised with Lindley, after which the day's sitting of the Commission is adjourned with a closing prayer.

File contains a presentation by President Clem Paul of the Yellowknife Métis Council. He discusses problems faced by the Northwest Territories Métis generally, and the Yellowknife Métis specifically. He argues that the government has created problems by funding the Dene organizations but not the Métis councils. Paul also discusses rights issues. Following the presentation the assembled Commissioners discuss some of the issues raised with Paul.

File contains a presentation on behalf of the Yellowknives Dene Band Council by Chief Jonas Sangris and Chief Darrell Beaulieu, as well as a closing prayer which concludes the days sitting of the Commission. The two Chiefs welcome the Commission to the community and then discuss health and social issues, job training, community development, education, culture and languages. Following the presentation is a discussion between the Chiefs and assembled Commissioners on some of the issues raised, followed by the adjournment of the days proceedings and a closing prayer.

The file contains a presentation on behalf of the Tsuu T'ina Nation by Bradford Littlelight and Regina Crowchild. The presenters discuss two issues: taxation and the proposed First Nations Chartered Land Act. Commissioner Erasmus discusses some of the issues raised with the two presenters.

The file contains two presentations on behalf of University College of the Cariboo by Adrian Kershaw, Jane Teed, Marilyn James and Lisa Allgaier. Kershaw, Dean of Developmental and Regional Programs at the University, discusses Affiliation and Accrediation Agreements, and the critical role of Aboriginal control over post-secondary education for self-determination. Following his presentation Commissioner Mary Sillett discusses some of the issues raised with Kershaw.

File contains a presentation by Jerome Kennedy and Tara Johnson of the Urban Native Parents Association. Kennedy discusses the historical background of Aboriginal-Non-Aboriginal relations in Canada and related educational concerns. Johnson discusses the importance of Aboriginal language rights and education. Following the presentations Commissioners Chartrand and Erasmus discuss some of the issues raised with the two presenters.

This file contains a presentation by Vivian Ayoungman, Director of Education, Treaty 7 Tribal Council; Joyce Goodstriker, Superintendent of Education of the Blood Tribe; and Vera Marie Crowchild, Director of Education of the Tsuu T'ina Tribe. Ayoungman questions the ability of the Royal Commission to make essential changes in the Aboriginal educational system. In addition to a lack of funding, the presenters state that poor student transportation, inadequate special education programs, and insufficient student counselling affect Aboriginal students negatively.

The 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 by Valerie Monague and Lenore Monague concerning the plight of Senior and/or Disabled Citizens in the Aboriginal Community.

The 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 by Frank Sutherland, Valerie Monague and Richard "Too Much Lasagna" Cottrell concerning the Housing situation on and off reserves in the Aboriginal Community.

The 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 by Isadore Talouse concerning the Retention of Native languages.