Law Enforcement

File contains a panel discussion of previous presenters from the day's sitting and audience participants on Aboriginal justice issues in Canada. Following this is a closing prayer and the adjournment of the day's proceedings.

File contains the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at the Citadel Inn, Ottawa, Ontario, Thursday, November 26, 1992. File contains the opening prayer and opening remarks for the day's sitting which involves a round table discussion panel on justice issues.

File contains the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at the Citadel Inn, Ottawa, Ontario, Thursday, November 26, 1992. File contains day two of the Commission's round table on justice issues with a wide array of participants. For detailed information see table of participants. Each presentation can be viewed individually on this site.

File contains opening prayers and opening remarks by Murray Sinclair, and Commissioner Bertha Wilson for the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at the Citadel Inn, Ottawa, Ontario, Friday, November 27, 1992.

File contains the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at the Citadel Inn, Ottawa, Ontario. File contains Day Three of the Commission's round table on justice issues with a wide array of participants. For detailed information see table of participants. Each presentation can be viewed individually on this site.

File contains the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at Davis Inlet, Labrador, on Tuesday, December 1, 1992. File contains presentations by individuals, and a variety of Innu Nation groups. Each presentation can be viewed individually on this site.

RCAP 98 contains files for a sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at Brandon, Manitoba. This sitting of the Commission contains presentations relating to women's and Métis issues, employment, friendship centres, Aboriginal policing and education. Each presentation can be viewed individually on this site.

File contains a Raporteur's report on the preceding three volumes of the Royal Commission. Dean James MacPherson summarizes the themes and offers analysis on RCAP77, RCAP78, and RCAP79, all of which deal with Aboriginal Justice issues in Canada. Following his report are closing comments and a closing prayer which ends the Commission's sitting.

The file contains the presentation of a discussion paper by Terry Netsena. Netsena, a member of the Aboriginal Women's Council, presents the historical background of that organization and discusses its' operations in areas such as justice. Netsena also makes some recommendations to the Commission regarding policing, police training, sexual assault laws, and women who are being stalked.

File contains the transcript of a portion of the National Round Table on Aboriginal Health and Social Issues for the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples. This part of the volume contains the presentation of Discussion Paper D written by Professor Emma LaRocque but given by Jo-Anne Daniels on Day 1. Also contained are a series of questions from the audience regarding this paper and that previously presented paper by Dr. Clare Brant.

This file contains the remainder (see RCAP-7 through RCAP10 for presentations) of a discussion with the four previous presenters from the Dakota Ojibway Tribal Council and the Commissioners. The discussion continues on issues such as child welfare, health care and the criminal justice system.

File contains a general discussion between Commissioners George Erasmus and Viola Robinson, Moderator Reggie Crowshoe, and presenters Ronnie Leah, Keith Chiefmoon, and Sheena Jackson from this day's sitting. Comments from the floor are made by Celeste Strikes-With-A-Gun, Denna Jansen, Jim Penton, Myrna Roy, Mary Ann Crow, Jordan Chiefmoon, Devalon SmallLegs, Sandra Vielle and Roderick North Peigan. The discussion covers the topic of the presentations which is racism in Alberta, and the wider Canadian, society.

This file contains a discussion of various issues by the attendees and Commissioners at this session of the Commission. Attendees contributing include Louis McCallum, Gerald Regan, Marie Symes Grehan, Vye Bouvier, Brian MacDonald, Pierre Chartier and Gloria Desjarlais. Issues discussed include health care, land claims and self-government, wild rice production, the RCMP, trapping regulations, lack of housing and education. A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.

File contains an individual presentation by David Nuke focusing on the justice system and how it fails Innu people regarding summary offences. He cites statistics for incarceration of an inmate for one year and feels that amount would be better served providing community programs for Innu youth in Labrador, thus avoiding criminal activity by young people.

File contains an individual presentation by Ernie Rickard that briefly discusses a number of issues, including education, justice, economic development on reserves, and self-government. He relates his experience when interviewing for a justice of the peace position with the Canadian government and how his interpretation of the job did not match the government's interpretation.

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 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

This file contains a brief presentation by John Holloway touching on a number of subjects, including disabilities, Aboriginal involvement in the criminal justice system and the Oldman River Dam. Georges Erasmus, Co-Chair, makes brief remarks after the presentation.

File contains a presentation by Lucassie Echalook. Echalook discusses the local Church (Anglican?) and how it is run and financed by the Inuit community. Echalook also discusses some of the problems in the community and the consequences of government neglect.

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 a presentation by Randy Nepoose relating to social issues, off-reserve Aboriginals, natural resources, and the justice system. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains an individual presentation by Richard Greene that touches on a number of topics, including Aboriginal urban housing, dismantling the Indian Act, and Aboriginal over-representation in the correctional system. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

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 two presentations, both read by Rose Gregoire. She begins with Raphael Gregoire's presentation that expresses concern with this Commission being irrelevant and its findings being ignored. Raphael Gregoire asks that issues or problems that need to be addressed immmediately should not be delayed until the final report is finished. Rose Gregoire's presentation addresses the treatment of Innu people under the law and discusses her experiences in the justice system, first as a young offender and now as a court worker.

File contains a presentation by Roy Louis that initially states that the Commission lacks a Treaty Commissioner so he is already skeptical of the findings of the Commission. His presentation covers a number of issues such as joint ventures and economic development, tourism, forestry, agriculture, and racism. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with Commissioner Allan Blakeney.

The file contains an opening prayer and opening remarks from the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at the Citadel Inn, Ottawa, Ontario, Monday, June 28, 1993. Commissioner Georges Erasmus introduces the other Commissioners in attendance and discusses the Commission's hearings to date on the High Arctic Relocation, and the purpose of this sitting which is to hear witness testimony from non-Inuit sources involved with the High Arctic Relocation.

File contains an opening prayer from the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at Fort St. John, B.C. November 20, 1992, followed by a presentation by Sergeant Randy Munroe of the Ft. St. John Royal Canadian Mounted Police detachment. Munroe's presentation gives information on the Aboriginal alternate sentencing and supervision programs being piloted in the community. Following his presentation the assembled Commissioners ask him a variety of questions about these programs.

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 a presentation by Albert Marshall. Marshall lists some of his concerns with the governance system in the Eskasoni area ranging from education, policing, economic development and criminal justice, to taxation.

File contains a presentation by Alfred Scow, B.C. Provincial Court Judge. Judge Scow discusses the detrimental effects of the justice system on Aboriginal peoples, and the Indian Act in particular. Judge Scow also expresses the hope that the Commission will lead to substantive changes in the justice system rather than "window dressing."

File contains a presentation by Alfreda Trudeau that reiterates many of the concerns expressed by Harvey Thunderchild, the previous speaker. She describes specific programs aimed at treating various problems, with the Native Interpersonal Skills Program being the most successful. Trudeau calls for more Aboriginal people to be working in the correctional system and particularly sees the role of elders is very important. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Andy Von Busse, Alberta Fish and Game Association. Von Busse discusses conservation issues in Alberta, specifically with regards to Aboriginal utilization of wildlife. Following the presentation is a discussion between Von Busse regarding Treaty rights to hunt, and jurisdictional questions with regard to wildlife management and land usage.

File contains a presentation by Annie Napayok on behalf of the Keewatin Legal Aid Society. She discusses justice issues in the Keewatin region, for which she is the only legal aid representative. Among her concerns are culturally insensitive applications of law, a lack of funding, and youth justice concerns. Following the presentation Commissioners Robinson and Blakeney discuss some of these issues with Napayok.

File contains a presentation by Apenam Pone discussing the effects of alcohol abuse on the Innu people. Two-thirds of Innu adults have difficulty with alcohol, caused "by the lack of power and control over their lives, lack of control of education, social services, religion and the justice system." Due to the lack of control, the Innu culture is weakened and people feel they lack power to direct their lives and the lives of their children. Pone calls on the Commission to help end the inadequate funding of treatment centres in terms of wages and programming budgets.

The file contains a presentation by Armand Brousseau and Pierre Desnoyers. Brousseau and Desnoyers relate their experiences with the High Arctic Relocation as witnesses who lived in Resolute Bay at the time and served with the Canadian Armed Forces. Following their testimony the assembled Commissioners discuss some of the issues raised with them.

File contains a presentation by Bill Riddell and Leah Inutiq, members of Tuvvik, a committee of the Baffin Regional Council that delivers alcohol and drug counselling programs in Iqaluit. They express concern that social programs are being funded as a result of "political decisions that are popular and are likely to result in re-election." There is no longevity with social programs which ultimately harm the people they are trying to help. They also state concerns with the justice system. Following the presentation is a discussion with the commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Bob Crawford, Native Liaison Officer, Metro Toronto Police. Crawford discusses Toronto's Aboriginal Peacekeeping Unit and his work with it. Following the presentation are comments by Commissioners Blakeney, Robinson, and Dussault.

File contains a presentation by Brad Enge, a 17-year veteran of the RCMP. He believes that "a Canadianized version of the Australian-made Anunga rule would not inhibit the police investigation process, permitting First Nations people access to a legally trained and educated resident prior to the interrogative process. It will add credence to the legitimacy of the Canadian criminal justice system." A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.

File contains a presentation by Brian Cook. Cook discusses the need to incorporate Aboriginal history into school curriculums, the importance of having a land base, the Indian Act, the lack of an economic base for the reserve system, and problems with the justice system. Much of Cook's presentation deals with systemic racism. Following the presentation is a discussion between Cook and the Commissioners on the issues he has raised.

File contains a presentation by Brian Espaniel. Espaniel discusses his groups views on the operation of the Justice System in Canada, and recommends a policy of "aftercare" to rehabilitate Aboriginal offenders. Following the presentation is a discussion between Espaniel and Commissioners Wilson and Blakeney on these issues.

This file contains a presentation by Brian Henderson that brings greetings to the Commission on behalf of Hon. James McCrae, Minister of Justice for Manitoba. He discusses the Aboriginal Justice Inquiry Report and how his department is attempting to fulfill the myriad of recommendations at the provincial government level. He also mentions the valuable role of elders within the justice system.

File contains a presentation by Carol Wildcat discussing a variety of issues with the Ermineskin First Nations, including the high drop-out rate of high school students, lack of housing, life skills, violence against women and children and unemployment. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners and Wildcat, Brian Lee and Jim Minde.

File contains a presentation by Chief Allan Happyjack and Jack Blacksmith that first provides a brief history of Waswanipi. Their presentation covers a wide range of issues, including the justice system and policing, hunting and trapping, the environment and health care. The speakers believe that the Canadian and Quebec governments have either ignored, set aside or in breach of major sections of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Chief Councillor Earl Smith. Smith addresses his concern over justice, and how it relates to self-government and the lands claims process. Smith sees an indigenous system of justice based on his people's values as fundamental to self-governance. Following the presentation is a brief conversation between Mr. Smith and Commissioner Erasmus on the topics discussed.

File contains a presentation by Chief David Keenan of the Teslin Tlingit Council. Keenan discusses the differences but also the commonalities in values between Aboriginal people and other Canadians. Keenan also discusses the Canadian justice system, over representation in prisons, the need for more resources toward prevention rather than corrections, initiatives his people have taken in the Yukon, and other justice related matters.

File contains a presentation by Chief David Keenan, Teslin Tlingit Nation, Yukon. He provides a brief history of the Teslin Tlingit people, discussing the Clan system of government and the negative effects of European contact. Keenan notes that Teslin Tlingit Nation is one of the few Canadian First Nations that have a constitution based not on the Indian Act, but on Teslin Tlingit traditional values. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Chief Flett regarding issues including self-government, Aboriginal and Treaty Rights, land, resources, the environment, gambling, fiscal arrangements, health, social services, economic development, on-reserve policing, the justice system, education, housing, and community infrastructure. Following the presentation is a discussion between Chief Flett and Commissioners Blakeney and Chartrand regarding the issues raised in the presentation.

File contains an individual presentation by Chief Ignace Gull. Gull discusses the living conditions faced by Aboriginal people in the area which he describes as third or fourth world. Specifically he discusses water and sewer issues, fire protection, energy, social development, drug and alcohol abuse, and a lack of economic oppotunities and education. Gull also discusses trapping concerns, concerns with the justice system, problems with RCMP and Conservation Officers regarding game law enforcement, proposed hydro developments, and protection of burial sites.

File contains a presentation by Chief Katie Rich, Davis Inlet. Rich discusses how the community was promised better housing when they were relocated in the 1960s, how they face clean water problems, housing problems, a lack of planning by government, alcohol problems, a lack of culturally appropriate curriculum in schools, the need for youth recreation facilities, the need to incorporate Elders in the education system, funding problems, justice issues, policing issues, and the need for relocation on Innu terms.

File contains a presentation by Chief Roger Kaye that touches on a number of subjects, including education and youth, housing, justice, land claims and a proposed museum in Old Crow. A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.