RCAP 17 contains files from the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples in Victoria, British Columbia. This sitting of the Commission contains a variety of presentations related to various issues such as children's, women's and elder rights, education, the Canadian Constitution and self-government. Each presentation can be viewed individually on this site.

RCAP 18 contains files from the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples in Iqaluit, Northwest Territories. This sitting of the Commission contains a variety of presentations such as children's and women's rights, education and Inuit issues. Each presentation can be viewed individually on this site.

RCAP 20 contains files from the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at Deh Cho Hall, Fort Simpson, Northwest Territories. This sitting of the Commission contains presentations on a variety of subjects such as children's and women's rights, residential schools, Inuit issues and the future formation of Nunavut. Each submission can be viewed individually on this site.

RCAP 28 contains files from the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at the Thomas Cheechoo Memorial Centre, Moose Factory, Ontario. This sitting of the Commission contains verbal and written presentations primarily by elders in the Moose Factory area relating to education, the Indian Act, Aboriginal women's rights, self-government. Each submission can be viewed individually on this site.

RCAP 29 contains files from the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at the Thomas Cheechoo Memorial Centre, Moose Factory, Ontario. This sitting of the Commission contains presentations on a variety of subjects such as reserve infrastructure, education, health services, unemployment, land claims and self-government. Each presentation can be viewed individually on this site.

File contains opening remarks for the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at Makkouk, Labrador on June 15, 1992. After a welcome and opening prayer by Neil Andersen, Commissioner Rene Dussault explains the mandate of the Commission and its goals. Commissioners Viola Robinson, Mary Sillet, and Ruth Flowers also make brief opening remarks.

File contains opening remarks by Commissioners Blakeney and Chartrand at the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples in Fort McMurray, Alberta, on Tuesday, June 16, 1992. The Commissioners discuss the composition of the Commission, its mandate, and goals.

File contains opening remarks from the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples in Native Canadian Centre, in Toronto, Ontario. Commissioners Dussault and Erasmus welcome the participants and discuss the Commissions' mandate and goals.

File contains closing remarks by Georges Erasmus, Co-Chair.

File contains brief closing remarks by Georges Erasmus, Commissioner.

File contains closing remarks by Paul Chartrand, Commissioner.

File contains closing remarks by Rene Dussault, Co-Chair.

File contains closing remarks by Rene Dussault, Co-Chair.

File contains closing remarks by Rene Dussault, Co-Chair.

File contains closing remarks by Commissioners Allan Blakeney and Paul Chartrand, with brief comments by two earlier speakers.

File contains an individual presentation by Ben Andrew focusing on Innu land claims and self-government. Andrew states the Canadian government has "deprogrammed Innu people so they deny their own people, their own nationhood, and their own uniqueness." Andrew is skeptical of the Commission's purpose and goals but hopes the Commission can influence the federal government in future negotiations relating to Innu land claims and self-government. Following the presentation are brief remarks by Rene Dussault, Co-Chair.

File contains an individual presentation by Ben Michel detailing the negative effects of government assimilation on the people of Sheshatshiu, Davis Inlet and other Innu communities. He states that "Canada once again is masking itself in the form of a Royal Commission to legitimize its denial of a people's right of self-determination and arightful place in the global human community." Michel calls on the Commission to take his complaints to the Canadian Human Rights Commission and to the United Nations Human Rights Commission. A question-and-answer session 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 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 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.

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.

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 Rodney Louie, who comes from the Lillooet, British Columbia area where a tribal police force is being formed. He sees policing of Aboriginal communities as being more productive and proactive when done by tribal police, rather than having the RCMP "reacting, then dealing with something after it has happened." Following the presentation is a discussion with Louie and past presenters Leonie Rivers, Robert Michel and Jill Harris and the Commissioners.

File contains an individual presentation by Sharon that recommendes that "within the Aboriginal self-government infrastructure within the constitution of Canada, there should be an Aboriginal copyright law or a mechanism parallel to the Canadian copyright law." Its intent would be to protect Aboriginal culture.

File contains introductory remarks by Treffrey Yellow Old Woman, representative, Siksika Nation. She describes in brief the issues her group hopes to cover, primarily relating to self-government, community development and Aboriginal women. She then introduces Robert Michel as the first speaker.

File contains the opening prayer for the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at Wendake, Quebec, on November 18, 1992. File also contains a presentation by Alain Bissonette, Human Rights Centre of the University of Ottawa regarding the encouragement of understanding and harmonious relations between Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal societies in Canada. Following the presentation Commissioners Wilson and Chartrand engage Bissonette in a discussion on the presentation and how Bissonette's ideas relate to justice system concerns.

File contains opening remarks by Rene Dussault, Co-Chair and Mary Sillett, Commissioner, and the two Commissioners for the Day, Naki Ecko and Abraham Okpik. Dussault discusses the purpose and mandate of the Commission.

File contains remarks and a presentation by Norman Evans, President, Pacific Metis Federation. Evans discusses Aboriginal history pre-contact and how the Metis became "Canada's forgotten people." He shares his frustration in dealing with the Canadian government and as a veteran of many Aboriginal organizations, he hopes this Royal Commission will fulfill its mandate to help make the lives of Aboriginals better. Following the presentation is a discussion with the Commissioners.

File contains opening remarks by Commissioners Allan Blakeney and Paul Chartrand at the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples held at the Edmonton Inn, in Edmonton, Alberta on June 11, 1992. The Commissioners explain the mandate and goals of the Commission for the audience in attendance.

File contains opening remarks by Allan Blakeney and Paul Chartrand who explain the purpose and objectives of the Commission.

File contains opening remarks by Allan Blakeney and Viola Robinson, Commissioners, who speak about the purpose and objectives of the Commission. George Miller, representative of the Kaska Tribal Council and Barry Ravenhill, Mayor of Watson Lake are introduced.

File contains opening remarks by Allan Blakeney, Commissioner, Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples. He introduces Commissioner Viola Robinson and the two Commissioners for the Day, Mary Cazon and Gabe Cazon. Blakeney explains the purpose of the Commission. He introduces Chief Gerald Antoine.

File contains opening remarks for the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples sitting at Fort Chipewyan, Alberta, on Thursday, June 18, 1992. Remarks by Commissioners Blakeney, Chartrand, and Marcel outline the mandate and goals of the Commission, and translation arrangements for the Fort Chipewyan venue.

File contains opening remarks by Chief Justa Monk, facilitator.

File contains opening remarks by Chief Norm Wesley who introduces Commissioners Georges Erasmus and Viola Robinson, Pat Chilton, and Derek McLeod, Youth Commissioner for the Day.

File contains opening remarks mainly by Chief Lorne Waditaka, Chief of the Wahpeton First Nation. Waditaka discusses national issues such as the Constitution and First Nations place in it, the development of self-governance structures, the need for continued federal responsibilities and the importance of the treaties, the Metis people and their place in Canada, urban aboriginals, justice issues, social issues, and what he hopes will be gained from the hearings of the Royal Commission. Waditaka then introduces Commissioners Bertha Wilson, Paul Chartrand, Rene Dussault, and Mary Sillet.

File contains opening remarks by Commissioners Georges Erasmus and Viola Robinson for the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples held at Moosonee, Ontario, on June 10, 1992. Commissioner Erasmus gives an overview of the Commission's work thus far, and his hopes for it. Commissioner Robinson discusses her own Micmac community and the differences between it and Moosonee.

File contains opening remarks by Georges Erasmus, Co-chair, that explains the purpose and goals of the Commission.

File contains opening remarks by Georges Erasmus that explain the purpose and goals of the Commission. Erasmus introduces Art Wilson, Commissioner For the Day.

File contains opening remarks by Georges Erasmus, Co-Chair, Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples. Erasmus directs participants to a brochure outlining the Commission's mandate and proposed time length of hearings [possibly going into 1994].

File contains opening remarks by Commissioner Georges Erasmus at the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples held in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario on June 11, 1992. Erasmus explains the mandate and goals of the Commission for the audience in attendance. He introduces the first speaker, Mary Desmoulin.

File contains brief opening remarks by Kathy Lane, Commissioner For the Day.

File contains opening remarks by Matthew Happyjack who reviews the speakers. He introduces Rene Dussault, Co-Chair.

File contains opening remarks by Rene Dussault, Co-Chair, and Bertha Wilson and Mary Sillett, Commissioners, who explains the purpose and objectives of the Commission.

File contains opening remarks by Rene Dussault, Co-Chair, that explains the purpose and goals of the Commission. He introduces Viola Robinson and Mary Sillett, Commissioners.

File contains opening remarks by Rene Dussault, Viola Robinson and Mary Sillett, who discuss the purpose and goals of the Commission. Dussault introduces Francis Penashue, Commissioner For the Day. Ben Michel is the facilitator.

File contains a presentation by Abe Okpik. Okpik discusses the significance of midwifery to the Inuit people, and on Baffin Island in particular. He also discusses traditional knowledge and its importance in contemporary midwifery. Following the presentation are some comments on it by Commissioners Mary Sillet and Rene Dussault.

File contains a presentation by Alethea Baril, Adam Kilukishak and Tara Lindsay, Grade 7-8 students, Nanook School, Apex, Northwest Territories [Nunavut]. The students call for amending the Education Act to accept elders as qualified teachers, consultation from students and parents when building schools and planning classes, and free daycare for those students babysitting siblings during class time. Following the presentation is a discussion with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Alex Nelson, Aboriginal Sport and Recreation Association of British Columbia. Nelson describes himself as a sports addict and has been involved with coaching sports his entire adult life. He sees the North American Indigenous Games as the pinnacle of Aboriginal sporting achievement, and he hopes that sports funding at the local levels is increased so that Aboriginal youth continue to have the opportunity to play sports. Following the presentation is a discussion with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Eric Joubert, spokesperson of the Alliance autochtone du Quebec. Joubert describes the background of his organization which exists to assist Metis, Non-status, and status off reserve populations in Quebec and its involvement in various programs. Joubert then discusses rights concerns. Following the presentation Commissioner Dussault thanks Joubert for his suggestion.