Law Enforcement

File contains a presentation by Chief Stanley Sanquez of Jean Marie River Band and Kerry Hardisty, Grade 9 student, Linowejen School, Jean Marie River Band. Sanquez focuses on land claims and self-government, while Hardisty questions exactly what the rights are of youth relating to self-government.

File contains a presentation by the Nicola Valley Native Community Law Office, Merritt Legal Services, by Cliff Thorstenson. He discusses his observations on Aboriginal people and the Canadian justice system, particularly with regards to the local situation. Thorstenson offers a critique of justice institutions, and recommends a more culturally appropriate approach to community justice issues. Following the presentation is a discussion between Commissioners Chartrand and Dussault on justice concerns.

File contains a presentation by Commission Co-Chair Georges Erasmus during the first public meeting of said Commission. Erasmus spoke about how Chief Thunderchild viewed the need to hold on to Aboriginal land rights, and how this was still important in the nineteen-nineties.

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 Corporal Wayne Plimmer regarding relations of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Aboriginal Community in Prince George. Questions from the assembled commissioners are also included with the answers that were provided.

This file contains a presentation by members of the "Making Adult Decisions" (M.A.D.) Youth Group of Kahnawake discussing problems relating to race relations between Aboriginals and non-Aboriginals, and relations with the outside police forces, RCMP and Surete du Quebec, that patrol the Kahnawake area. The group has conducted cultural exchanges with Canadian non-Aboriginal youth and with youth from former Soviet republics. M.A.D.

The file contains a presentation by Dan Soberman. Soberman, an academic and lawyer, discusses a variety of evidence pertaining to both the intent and implementation of the High Arctic Relocation program. Following the presentation the assembled Commissioners discuss the contents and some of the issues raised with Soberman.

File contains a presentation by Darrell Bretton, First Nations Freedom Network. Bretton discusses his organization which he says is "a unique agency which deals with the transition from incarceration to reintegration of our people into overall society...developing a network of aboriginal groups and professionals to address the widespread societal problem of aboriginal recidivism."

File contains a presentation by David Arnot, Battlefords Justice Advisory Council. Arnot, presenting on behalf of the Battlefords Justice Advisory Council delivers a presentation first dealing with the Katapamisuak project which deals with community justice, and the workings of the general justice system as they pertain to Aboriginal peoples. Commissioners Blakeney and Erasmus discuss justice issues with Arnot following the presentation.

File contains a presentation by Debra Hanley. Hanley gives a summary and follow-up of eight commission and inquiry reports on Aboriginal justice issues. These include federally: "Creating Choices, the Task Force on Federally Sentenced Women"; "A Law Refrom Commission Report on Aboriginal People and Criminal Justice"; and, "The Indian Policing Task Force" provincially: "The Marshall Inquiry"; "The Manitoba Justice Inquiry"; "The Saskatchewan Indian and Metis Justice Review Committees"; and "The Alberta Causy (PH) Commission".

File contains a presentation by Don Auger relating to the legal system and an Aboriginal system of justice. He provides background on the justice system Aboriginals used pre-contact and states that the present Canadian justice system "does not address problems specific to Aboriginal people." Auger leaves with the Commission a glossary of legal terms translated into Ojicree, Northwest Ojibwe and Cree. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Doreen Pichette and Bernice Archibald. The presenters are Aboriginal court workers affiliated with the Friendship Centre.

The file contains a presentation by Dr. Graham Rowley. Rowley, a retired professor and public servant, discusses his experiences with the Inuit in relation to the High Arctic Relocation program, and associated issues. Following the presentation the assembled Commissioners discuss some of the issues raised with Rowley.

File contains a presentation by Dr. Roland Chamberlain, clinician, and Dr. Jacquelin Cossette, clinician. Dr Chamberlain discusses the health needs of Aboriginal communities in Northwestern Quebec, specifically alcohol related physical health and violence related issues. Dr. Cossette makes a variety of recommendations to enhance the overall health of Aboriginal communities, and the need to provide francophone equivalents of some English educational materials. Following this the assembled Commissioners discuss community health related topics with the two practitioners.

File contains a presentation by Edward Morin of the Enoch Cree Nation. Morin describes his life experiences as a Status Indian in Alberta, including residential schooling, relations with government officials, discrimination in the justice system, and other problems. Morin also offers up his own views on the Constitution and the need to provide people with economic opportunity in Canada, both Aboriginal and non.

This file contains a portion of Volume 2 of a sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at Akwesasne Mohawk School, Cornwall Island, Ontario. This portion of the Volume includes a presentation given by Ontario Provincial Police Inspector Ernie Houghton and Chief of Police Brian David, on the subject of the Akwesasne court system. As well as questions from the assembled Commissioners to this presentation and those made previously.

File contains a presentation by Ethel Lamothe, Social Services worker, Fort Simpson, Northwest Territories. She believes that dealing with Inuit social issues from a European perspective rather than the traditional way has harmed the Inuit people. Lamothe also discusses the need to record oral histories of the elders and to preserve the history of the Dene people. As a territorial government employee, she believes that control of funding should be undertaken by people familiar with northern life, not by bureaucrats. Following the presentation is a discussion with the Commissioners.

This file contains a presentation by Frank McKay that first gives the history of the Dakota Ojibway Tribal Council Police Department that has policed eight reserves since 1974; Birdtail Sioux, Dakota Plains, Long Plain, Oak Lake Sioux, Roseau River, Sandy Bay, Sioux Valley and Swan Lake, Manitoba. He calls on the Commission to ensure an Aboriginal police training academy situated either in Manitoba or a centrally-located area on the Prairies. McKay then introduces Clarence Daniels, Health Director, Dakota Ojibway Health Services.

File contains a presentation by Gary LaPlante, Kewatin Communications. LaPlante discusses self-governance and the critical view of it he has experienced from some Aboriginal people. LaPlante discusses his own life experiences and his view that race relations are a two way street and that some Aboriginal people harbour racist views and that this must be addressed.

The file contains spresentation by George Gillies, Inuvik Regional Hospital. In response to a question by Commissioner Allan Blakeney, Gillies discusses the amount of health staff in the Mackenzie Delta area including the proportion of Aboriginal employees, and their positions. Commissioner Mary Sillett also asks a staffing question, and then preceding presenter Patricia Lowe and Allan Blakeney discuss northern community staffing issues.

File contains a presentation by Georgette Djan-Drapper, the Saskatchewan representative of the organization, focusing on racism in Canada, retention of Black identity, language and culture, and better treatment from the criminal justice system. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Geraldine Sebastian focusing on education and social issues. Government funding cuts to education and band peacekeeping programs have adversely affected her community. Sebastian states the Hagwilget community wishes self-sufficiency and calls on the Commission to assist in her community's battle to educate and help its residents. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

The file contains a presentation by Gerard Kenney. Kenney, a telecommunications engineer with Bell Canada in the 1960s and early 1970s, discusses his experiences traveling to the High Arctic Relocation communities of Pond Inlet, Grise Fiord, and Resolute Bay during this era. Kenney also discusses his research at the National Archives in the early 1990s seeking to find evidence of Canadian intentions, or as he calls it, the "smoking gun," behind the High Arctic Relocation program.

File contains a presentation by Gloria Christmas, Native Justice Court Worker. Christmas, after a brief description of her job, makes a series of recommendations to the Commission on hiring Aboriginal interpreters, Aboriginal court workers, and Aboriginal corrections personnel, in the justice system.

File contains a presentation by Gordon McGregor, Chief of Police, Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg Council. McGregor discusses policing within the community and the initiatives that have been taken, as well as juridictional and cultural issues. Following McGregor's presentation he discusses some of the issues raised with Commissioners Blakeney, Robinson, and Dussault.

File contains a presentation by Graham Tuplin, Tom Conners and Brenda Leslie focusing on Aboriginal treatment in the criminal justice system and on-going land claims negotiations with the Canadian government. A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.

This file contains a presentation by five members of the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake. Subjects discussed by the presenters include arrests of Kahnawake residents in 1988 relating to cigarettes; the Oka Crisis of 1990; negotiations relating to self-government; the removal of the Indian Act; transfer payments to Aboriginal persons; education and housing issues, and the Kahnawake Peacekeepers (police force). A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.

File contains a presentation by Harvey Thunderchild relating to high rates of illiteracy among Aboriginal inmates, and the high proportion of incarcerated Aboriginal people for crimes committed involving drugs and alcohol. He states that Aboriginal inmates are prevented from entering treatment programs due to a shortage of programs. He also expressed concern with Aboriginal young offenders lacking appropriate programs as well. He introduces Alfreda Trudeau.

File contains a presentation by Henry Broomfield. Broomfield discusses the Labrador Native Peoples Funding Agreement and what he sees as its many shortcomings. Broomfield sums up by stating "this funding agreement is deficient in alot of areas. It does not provide sufficient dollars for the operation of our communities. It provides dollars to another government, the province, to run our affairs.

File contains a presentation made by Garnet Angconeb for the Independent First Nations Alliance on the topic of the Canadian Justice System pertaining to Aboriginals in general as well as personal remarks referring to the Anishnawbe and their community identity and language. Also contained are comments and questions from the assembled Commissioners. Comments of the Commissioner-of-the-Day are translated to English from his own language.

File contains a presentation by Jamie Farrell discussing the role of group homes in the rehabiliation of young offenders in Labrador. She states that often the youth need to escape a bad home life so they commit crimes and enter the group home, often a safer environment than their own home. Farrell also discusses the high rate of suicide among Labradorian youth. Following the discussion is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Jaypeetie Akpallaluk, Mayor, Pangnirtung, Northwest Territories, who begins by comparing the "qallunaaq" (European) way of life and the Inuit way of life and how the two do not work together well. He states that Inuit culture is being lost and that the wisdom and knowledge of elders is not being utilized by younger generations. He hopes that the future government of Nunavut will provide more funding to allow the creation of much-needed cultural, educational and family programs in Pangnirtung.

This file contains a presentation by Jeff Loenen, Deloras Huff and James Mackay relating to the Native Brotherhood of the Edmonton Maximum Security Institution. The Native Brotherhood is incorporated presently under the Societies Act in Alberta as a not-for-profit organization whose objectives are to promote native culture and spirituality at the Institution. The group offers sweat lodge ceremonies, drumming ceremonies, elders' meetings and family support groups. But with the recent change in status of the Institution from medium to maximum security, a number of programs have been cut.

File contains a presentation by Joe Blyan stating that the Commission that all different status groups must meet and determine their courses of action. Blyan says a common vision is necessary when dealing with Aboriginal and Metis groups. Following the presentation are remarks by the Commissioners.

File contains an individual presentation by John Constant detailing the loss of Aboriginal culture and how "the white man took advantage of our God fearing nature of welcming people into our fold." He relates a number of stories of how Aboriginal people are lacking the "spirituality, respect, honesty, and leadership" that was common pre-contact. Following the presentation is a discussion with the Commissioners.

The file contains a presentation by John Moore. Moore discusses his conviction for murder under a repealed section of the criminal code of Canada, how he is innocent and feels his conviction contradicted his rights as an Aboriginal person, and how he would like to be exonerated. Moore also references several other high profile cases of wrongful conviction in Canada. Following the presentation Commissioner Dussault comments on the issues raised.

File contains a presentation by John Stewart. Stewart, a member of the Youth Justice Committee, discusses youth justice concerns particularly with regard to young Metis children. Stewart asks that funding be provided to treat these children in the community rather than sending them away to jails. Following Stewart's presentation is a discussion between Stewart, Chief Tony Mercredi, and Commissioners Chartrand and Blakeney on youth justice issues.

File contains a presentation by Jonathan Rudin. who's a member of Aboriginal Legal Services of Toronto, discusses his organizations work with Aboriginal people in the urban context and some of the concerns facing them. Rudin then goes on to discuss the community based approach to justice that ALST has developed to address some of these issues.

This file contains a presentation by Joy Fontaine, Todd Ducharme, Jonathan Rudin and Cliff Summers that first gives a brief history of their organization, now serving 70,000 Aboriginal residents in Toronto, Ontario. Legal programs provided are the Native Criminal, Family and Young Offender Courtworker program, the Native Inmate Liaison program and the Aboriginal Justice Counsellor Training Program.

This file contains a presentation by Kahn-Tineta Horn and Dale Dione focusing on Iroquois democracy. The speakers provide a brief history of the Mohawk Nation and then discuss their form of democracy, their structure for resolving issues and their present struggles. The speakers also discuss the Oka Crisis of 1990. A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.

File contains a presentation by Kathy Martin addressing the need for Aboriginal women to be equal participants in the political, social, economic, legal and education systems. Martin also discusses the justice system and believes that Aboriginals "have the right to form our own justice system."

File contains a presentation by Keith Chiefmoon. Chiefmoon discusses racism "as it pertains here today" with a focus on off-reserve life. Chiefmoon discusses racism in the city of Lethbridge in the employment, post-secondary, and provincial government services. Chiefmoon also discusses what he deems discriminatory law enforcement practices, and Aboriginal over-representation in prisons. Chiefmoon also makes recommendations about languages, land claims, political representation in the federal parliament, and the need for an "off-reserve Indian government."

File contains a presentation by Kevin McCormick, representative, Inuik Fisheries, and a resident of Pangnirtung. He feels that the Canadian government should be dealing with important economic and social issues in the Baffin region and that negotiations relating to the formation of Nunavut should not take precedent over these issues. He calls for the Canadian government to subsidize airfares and hotel costs in the Eastern Arctic to create growth in the tourist industry.

File contains a presentation by Laurie Moyes that calls for more Aboriginal people to be employed in all areas of the criminal justice system, more cross-cultural workshops for police and non-Aboriginal criminal justice employees. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Leonard Mandamin. He discusses the nature of the justice system in Canada, the cultural diversity of Aboriginal peoples, and the problems with the term "system," the history of European legal systems relationship with Aboriginal justice, and discusses various models used in the United States, Australia, Canada, and closes by stating that "it is not a question of a unified system or of separate Aboriginal systems...It is a matter of recognizing existing authority and human rights."

The file contains a presentation by Professor Magnus Gunther. Gunther, a Professor of Political Studies at Trent University, discusses the findings of a report he was hired to do by the Department of Indian Affairs to "review all of the allegations which had been made about how the government had handled the relocation in order to see whether these could be confirmed by documentary corroboration." Gunther identifies and describes five areas where he disagrees with "the prevailing wisdom on these matters" with reference to the High Arctic Relocation program.

File contains a presentation by Margaret Ruda, Saskatchewan Native Addictions Council Corporation. Ruda, a Metis woman and "interested individual" in the Battlefords presents on the justice system, and questions whether it actually treats offenders in any substantive way. Following the presentation is a discussion between Ruda and Commissioner Erasmus on justice issues.

File contains a presentation by Margaret Teneese, of the Shuswap Indian Band. Teneese discusses some of the problems faced by people in her Band, primarily in the social sphere. She discusses concerns with sexual abuse, the justice system, and the need to return to traditional culture and language. Following the presentation Commissioner for the day Lexine Phillips thanks Teneese for her thoughts.

This file contains a presentation in French by the Committee to Promote and Monitor Human Rights in Kahnawake and the Neighboring Communities relating to the 1990 Oka Crisis and the current joint SQ-RCMP patrols from Kahnawake territory. A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.

This file contains a presentation by the Committee to Promote and Monitor Human Rights in Kahnawake and the Neighboring Communities relating to the 1990 Oka Crisis and the current joint SQ-RCMP patrols from Kahnawake territory. A question-and-answer session in English with the Commissioners is located in RCAP112-8.

File contains a presentation by Marjorie Andersen, Mayor of Makkovik. After welcoming the Commission to her community, Andersen discusses some of their concerns such as a lack of adequate community funding, water and sewer system problems, poor roads, fishery issues, policing, housing, and the need for land development.