Images & Stereotypes

Poem dealing with romantic stereotypes of Indigenous men.

Focuses on the experiences of an Aboriginal film star and her memories of film making.

File contains a presentation by Charles Joseph Bernard, Jr. of the Whycocomagh First Nation. Bernard was a sitting member of the Nova Scotia Working Committee on the Constitution. He discusses the relationship of his people with the Government of Canada including the Sylliboy case, residential schools, Treaties, the Donald Marshall case, his thoughts on the Royal Commission, some of the problems facing Aboriginal youth today, the justice system, racism, self-governance, culture, government funding, and other issues pertaining to Aboriginal people in Canada.

File contains a round table discussion on the Oka Crisis of 1990, and related issues of Aboriginal Non-Aboriginal relations in the Oka area. Panelists represented include Michel Ben Sabat, a citizen of the Chateguay, Quebec, area; Jean-Bosco Bourcier, Mayor of Chateauguay; Pierrette Cardinal, Quebec MNA; Michael Hackett, City Councillor, Chateguay, Quebec; Celine Leduc, a citizen of Chateguay, Quebec; and Ricardo Lopez, federal MP for Chateguay. Issues discussed include jurisdictional, legal, discrimination, and taxation concerns.

File contains a discussion paper by Gay Caswell, a former MLA and consultant with Caswell Consultants of Saskatoon. Caswell is "here to argue that a very appropriate place for Aboriginal self-government is in the area of social services, in particular child welfare protection." Following Caswell's presentation the assembled Commissioners discuss some of the issues raised with her.

File contains a discussion paper by Robin Bellamy. Bellamy gives his "opinion to the years of what I've seen in the inner city of Saskatoon" as a person who has worked for the Friendship Inn and other community service organizations. Bellamy raises issues such as prostitution, substance abuse, physical abuse, verbal abuse, racism, and poverty. Following the presentation Commissioners Dussault and Robinson discuss some of the issues raised with Bellamy.

File contains a discussion paper by Robert Doucette, Don Kossick, Marlene Larocque, and Emil Bell. The first three presenters discuss their work with CUSO, the Canadian University Services Overseas, an International Development organization confronting what they term "structural apartheid in colonial countries including Canada. Included in this discussion is public education on institutional racism. Bell discusses the particular problems faced by people in prostitution and the lack of support services available for them.

File contains a discussion paper by Christine Lawanga. Lawanga, speaking on behalf of the Saskatoon Multiculturalism Council, discusses their Equity and Anti-Racism program. Following the presentation Commissioners Robinson and Dussault discuss some of the issues raised with Lawanga after which the Commission adjourns its sitting for the day.

The file contains a transcript of the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at the Lethbridge Lodge, Ballroom A, Lethbridge, Alberta. It contains presentations by a variety of individuals discussing racism issues.

File contains the opening ceremony and opening remarks from the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at the Lethbridge Lodge, Ballroom A, Lethbridge, Alberta. Moderator Reggie Crowshoe and Commissioner Georges Erasmus welcome the participants and make opening remarks. Erasmus discusses the composition, goals, and mandate of the Commission, while Crowshoe mentions the purpose of this sitting is to discuss racism.

RCAP 138 contains a transcript of a portion of a sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples in the Hunters Room, Skyline Plaza Hotel, Calgary, Alberta. This portion includes presentations of individuals made at Round Tables concerned with addictions, racism, women's and elders' issues, urban affairs, business and economic development, Bill C-31 and Metis rights.

RCAP 171 contains a transcript of a telephone consultation between Counsel for the Royal Commission on Aboriginal People, Nick Schultz and journalist Wilfred Doucette who had been a witness to the relocation of Inuit/Eskimos to the High Artic. The conversation focuses on the portrayal, in the current media, of the events that took place during the relocation. Highlighted are articles from the newspapers; Globe and Mail, Toronto Star and The Boston Globe, among others. Also an area of concern was that of a CBC show "Quirk and Quarks" featuring lawyer Andrew Orkin.

RCAP 176 contains a transcript of a sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at The Citadel Inn, Ottawa, Ontario. The format is two informal round table discussions on education. Preceding the discussions are two presentations focusing on the topic.

RCAP 23 contains files from the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at The Long House, Teslin, Yukon. This sitting of the Commission contains presentations by on a variety of subjects such as land claims and self-government, Inuit health care, and the impact of residential schools. Each submission can be viewed individually on this site.

RCAP 51 contains files from the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at the Delta Bessborough Hotel, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. This sitting of the Commission contains presentations relating to education, land claims, self-government, racism and discrimination, and Metis and women's issues. Each presentation can be viewed individually on this site.

This file contains a transcript of a sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at The Citadel Inn, Ottawa, Ontario. These are closing remarks made by Ruth Norton and George Erasmus.

The file contains further comments by Babette Bastien. Bastien discusses his youth on reserve and the struggles he had, leaving the reserve to attain an education, his views on the current drive towards self-government, the federal government capping education funding for First Nations, under-representation in the professions, and related policy issues.

The file contains further comments by Kathy First Rider. First Rider discusses her experiences growing up on reserve, how perceptions have changed amongst the Blackfoot youth since her childhood, her job educating the children in history and the Blackfoot language, encounters with racism in southern Alberta, and her views on these matters.

The file contains further comments by Jason Goodstriker. Goodstriker discusses the importance of youth, and how racism can be a two way process.

The file contains further comments by Keith Weasel Head. Weasel Head, who works at the Laverne Elementary School on the Blood Reserve, and is also a post-secondary student, discusses the problems youth face with drugs and alcohol. Weasel Head offers his personal perspective on how people can cope with and overcome these problems.

File contains a general discussion between presenters Cliff Wright, Theresa Dust, Robert Doucette, Jack Smith, Barry Kennedy, Commissioners Rene Dussault, Viola Robinson, and facilitator Murray Hamilton. The topic of discussion is urban Aboriginal issues in Saskatchewan, specifically issues raised in the preceding presentations listed under the presenter's names and available for viewing on this site.

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.

File contains an individual presentation by Alain Vachon relating to Aboriginal people in the construction industry and the problems they encounter. He states that in his experience, Aboriginals may be passed over for a project in their own community and non-Aboriginal workers may only be hired. He also expresses frustration with earning a lower wage than a non-Aboriginal worker may earn, and says that female construction workers also face discrimination. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains an individual presentation by Alice Sabourin who is completing her Master's degree in social work. She relates problems she has experienced with discrimination within the educational community, both as an Aboriginal person and as a woman. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

This file contains an individual presentation by Claude Bisonnette, a non-Aboriginal who is a certified life insurer in St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec. He began working with the citizens of Kahnawake in 1987, to the surprise of his co-workers. Bisonnette had to assure them that "(I)f I was having problems with the Mohawks I simply wouldn't go back there." He tells the Commissioners that he is often shocked at the negative attention minor incidents in Kahnawake are given and says the media doesn't help.

This file contains an individual presentation by Dave Yager, a former columnist and non-Aboriginal who wrote about Aboriginal issues in the Calgary Sun. One column raised the ire of many Aboriginal people and Yager was thrust into the spotlight concerning the "'political correctness' of the Native affairs debate." He gives his views on Aboriginal education, self-government, NAFTA and taxation. A prickly question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.

File contains an individual presentation by John Hart relating to existing affirmative action programs, particularly the Saskatchewan program and the federal program. The goal of affirmative action is to bring Aboriginal people into the workforce equivalent to the numbers in the total population. Hart concludes his presentation by saying affirmative action in Saskatchewan and Canada is not working and calls on the Commission to help make employers aware of it. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

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 Lyla Andrew, a non-Aboriginal woman raised in Toronto and a resident of Sheshatsiu for 15 years. She acknowledged in her an unconscious discrimination toward Innu people and the Innu would be better served if they "would aspire to be more like me." Andrew shares stories of her experience living among the Innu and calls on the Commission to have the Canadian government "recognize the value in their growth and development as a separate and distinct culture." Following the presentation are brief remarks by Rene Dussault, Co-Chair.

File contains an individual presentation by Nellie Carlson, founder of the Aboriginal women's group 'Indian Rights for Indian Women' in the early 1970s. She reads a letter from 30 April 1992 that was sent to Prime Minister Brian Mulroney outlining concerns with land claims and discrimination relating to Aboriginal women, and with the overall negative effects of Bill C-31 on Aboriginal women. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

This file contains an individual presentation by Pam Fraser that recommends exchange visits and field trips between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal youth in elementary and high schools across Canada. A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.

This file contains an individual presentation by Raynald Vachon on employment and salary inequities between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal workers. Vachon recommends that an organization be established that could be called "the Association of Aboriginal Workers in Quebec." The association could bring together all the Aboriginal communities in Quebec.

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 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.

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.

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 welcoming remarks and a presentation by Mayor John Backhouse, on the relationships and partnerships present between the Aboriginal Community and the municipal government of Prince George.

File contains remarks by Al Ducharme, Metis History Teacher. Ducharme introduces a series of student presenters from his class.

File contains a presentation by Albert Fisher, followed by a Closing Prayer for the day's sitting of the Commission at the Nipissing First Nations Band Complex, North Bay, Ontario, May 19, 1993. Albert Fisher offers some personal reflections on Aboriginal Non-Aboriginal relations in Ontario as they pertain to politics, the legal system, community and individual relations.

File contains a presentation by Aboriginal Students from Algonquin College. The students voice a variety of concerns related to education, race relations, grass roots politics, cultural revival, the justice system, history curricula, drug and alcohol abuse, health service facilities, and assimilation. Following the presentation the assembled Commissioners discuss the students concerns with them.

File contains a presentation by Alicia Vance, Jody Sydney, Kathy Alfred of the First Nations Management Program, Yukon College. Vance discusses improving leadership and unity in Aboriginal communities. Sydney discusses traditional culture and how the clan system is being used in Teslin, Yukon. Alfred discusses how education and programs can help solve social problems in Aboriginal communities. The assembled Commissioners discuss the ideas raised with the presenters.

File contains a presentation by Alma Brooks, a Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet) woman. Brooks relates her life journey and involvement with both politics and the community at large in helping to heal her people's problems. She states that self-governance is an impossibility until her people are healed. Following her presentation is a discussion between her and Commissioners Dussault and Sillet on healing and politics respectively.

The file contains a presentation by Amber Flett. Flett is a Cree-Ojibway student at Catholic Central School in Lethbridge, Alberta. Flett discusses her experiences with loss of culture and racism in a mixed-culture school setting. Flett discusses how she found a support network in school when she moved to Alberta, and stresses that schools need more Native involvement programs.

File contains a presentation by Barbara Russell, and Cheryl Mullens from Skookum Jim Campus. Russell discusses how and why she thinks the school system needs to be changed in the Yukon. Amongst the concerns she lists are racism and discrimination, the need for Aboriginal faculty, and the need for listening on the part of teachers to Aboriginal students. Mullens discusses the need to make the schools equal in terms of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal curriculum in fields such as history, the need for learning at ones own pace, and the need for more programs for pregnant teenagers.

File contains a presentation by Bernard Arcand, Department of Anthropology, Laval University. Arcand argues that a cultural revolution is needed in non-Aboriginal Canada, and that non-Aboriginal Canadians need to be properly educated on Aboriginal culture. Arcand states this is will give non-Aboriginal culture egotistical as well as altruistic benefits. Following Arcand's presentation the Commissioners discuss his ideas with him.

This file contains a portion of a transcript of a sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at Hotel Saskatchewan, Regina, Saskatchewan. This portion of the Commission includes a presentation by Bernard Gordon concerning the provision of Treaty Rights to the Aboriginal Community on and off reserves. Questions from the assembled commissioners are also present.

File contains a presentation by Boyce Richardson, Author. Richardson discusses his own work with and among Aboriginal people over the preceding forty years, and the views he has developed in the process. Richardson specifically discusses his experiences with the Algonquin people of Barrier Lake, Quebec, as well as across the country and makes a recommendation to the Commission that it tell Canadians that "these days are over.

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 Cheryl Ogram and Cal Albright relating to the Aboriginal Relations Subcommittee, part of the Race Relations Committee. A number of recommendations are offered, including policies and programs affecting Aboriginal people be reviewed for systemic racism as well as cultural sensitivity and appropriateness, after consultation with Aboriginal people. Also recommended is all municipalities consulting with the Aboriginal community on any new policies that affect the community. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Chief Darrell Boissoneau that focuses on treaty violations and particularly on the Indian Act. He calls on the Commission to help begin the healing and to ensure funding for the essential programs that are necessary to help Aboriginal people reclaim their culture. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Chief Edmond Metatawabin describing the arrival of missionaries in the James Bay and the missions and residential schools that were constructed. He describes the St. Anne's Residential School Reunion and Conference in August 1992 as the beginning of healing for those former students in attendance. He urges the Commission to look at the findings of the Conference and to help address the healing of the survivors in his community and throughout Canada. A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.