File contains a presentation by James Mercredi representing the Fort Simpson Dene Council. He expresses concern about proposed uranium mining and how it will affect the Deh Cho River system. Mercredi cites Treaties 8 and 11 and various governmental papers and believes aspects of these documents are unconstitutional. Following the presentation is a discussion with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by James Panioyak that initially describes a harsh life in the bush for Inuit children pre-contact, but a fulfilling one as children learned to respect their parents, their elders and the land. By a person's late teens, survival skills had been learned and upon marriage, a man was capable of fishing and trapping to feed his family and a woman was able to make and repair clothing and to prepare and cook food. Panioyak hopes the Inuktitut language will not die out and believes that elders should be utilized to teach children and youth the old ways and language.

File contains a presentation by Jill Harris that summarizes the presentations of the previous four speakers. She notes that students from the Aboriginal Government class at the University of Victoria are present and feels their presence represents the action being taken by Aboriginal governments to work for a better life for Aboriginal youth. Harris believes that "reconciliation between our Aboriginal governments and the Canadian governments must be a priority". A discussion between the presenters and Commissioners follows the presentation.

File contains a presentation by Jill Henderson, a student at the Sagkeeng School. Henderson, who is Junior Chief of her school, presents on the value and importance of learning the Ojibway language. Henderson discusses her views on how language is a key aspect of one's culture, as well as her personal attempts to learn her people's language.

File contains a presentation by Jim Sweetenham. Sweetenham, a member of the Battlefords Fire Department, and a youth counsellor of fire setters, gives his presentation as an individual. Sweetenham discusses the problem of young people starting fires which disproportionately effects Aboriginal youth. He gives his views on how this can be addressed, and ignorance in the general society towards the issues of Aboriginal people.

File contains a presentation by the Principal Jim Whitson, Lambton County Board of Education. Whitson discusses developing good relationships in the educational setting with Aboriginal peoples, specifically in the context of what has been done in Lambton County, Ontario. Whitson discusses concerns such as cultural, historical, and language education. Following the presentation the assembled Commissioners discuss some of the issues raised with Whitson.

File contains a presentation by John Andersen. Andersen dscusses recreation, schools, youth, and related community issues. Following the presentation is a brief discussion between Andersen and Commissioner Dussault.

File contains a presentation by John Beck, an education consultant working with the Moose Cree Education Authority. Beck gives his address however on behalf of the regional educational body. Beck discusses the composition of the regional board, and programming they have undertaken including Native Studies and student centres for youth.

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.

File contains a presentation by John Dudley. Dudley discusses post-secondary education financing issues with Commissioners Wilson and Chartrand, and the relation of education to self-governance.

File contains a presentation by John Elliot, Saanich Tribal School. He reiterates what a previous speaker, Earl Claxton, said about the disappearance of the Saanich language. He hopes that the Commission recommends continuing funding of a two-year program that teaches the Saanich language and culture. Following the presentation is a discussion with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by John Kitchen, chairman of the Elementary School Committee, who reiterates the sentiments of the previous speaker, Edith Gull. Kitchen calls on the Commission to increase funding for more teachers and more supplies for the children. Following the presentation is a lengthy question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

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.

This file contains a portion of a transcript of a sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at Regina Friendship Centre, Regina, Saskatchewan. This portion of the Commission includes a presentation made by Jolene Wasteste in the youth circle on the topic of youth involvement in the Aboriginal Community after which a discussion of the presentation is recorded.

This file contains a presentation by Josie Oltrop, Vicki English-Currie and Gerri Manyfingers focusing on Aboriginal women's issues. The presenters begin with a brief historical perspective on Aboriginal women in society and then discuss the social system "which has determined the lives of all Native women." They state that 75% of all of Alberta's formally educated Aboriginal population are women showing that they are "healing themselves from past incidents and turning to education."

The file contains a presentation by Joylene Shade. Shade, a fourth year Sociology student from the University of Lethbridge, discusses sexuality and teenagers. Specifically Shade highlights a lack of knowledge amongst Aboriginal youth regarding the dangers of sexually transmitted diseases, and human sexuality in general. Shade makes recommendations to the Commission to help ameliorate this situation.

This file contains a presentation by Katherine Bransfield relating to self-government and Aboriginal women. Gignoo Transition House recently opened in Fredericton, New Brunswick and its role is to provide shelter, food, love and support, education, counselling and play as an advocacy for women and children fleeing from abuse. As this house has been very successful in helping women and children, Bransfield calls for another house to be built in north-central New Brunswick. Her organization will be presenting a brief to the Commission in September 1993.

The file contains a presentation by Kelly Healy. Healy presents a video clip from a trip her class took to Calgary to watch a debate between Progressive Conservative leadership candidates Jean Charest and Kim Campbell. During the trip the group experienced an incidence of overt racism which is referred to, and Healy states that she shares it to "show how much racism affects us. I just want something to be done about it."

The file contains a presentation by Kristen Many Bears. Many Bears, a grade 10 student at Winston Churchill High School in Lethbridge, Alberta, discusses stereotypes and discrimination. Many Bears also discusses some ways in which racism and discrimination can be addressed.

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 Kim Beaudin explaining her role as developing programs and services for urban Aboriginals especially for children and youths. Programs include hoop dancing, drumming, pow-wow dancing, story-telling and Aboriginal arts and crafts. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Kim Gallant. Gallant presents her view on sexual discrimination in the Indian Act, and how it can be reformed to be more egalitarian. Following the presentation is a discussion between Gallant and the Commissioners regarding the issues raised.

The file contains a presentation by Larry Soldier, Ma-Mow-We-Tak Friendship Centre. Soldier discusses the background of the Friendship Centre, its' operations, and some of its' organizational history. Amongst the issues Soldier raises are race relations; elder's issues; recreation and youth issues; cultural programming; self-governance; housing; addictions; education; and service delivery. Following the presentation Commissioners Wilson and Chartrand discuss some of the issues raised with Soldier.

File contains a presentation by Larry Ussak. He discusses his concerns with the way the government handles the polar bear population, specifically some of the techniques they use which he believes is contributing to the populations decline. Ussak also talks about job training, welfare, drop-out rates, suicide, the financial difficulties of life in the north, and related concerns. Following the presentation Commissioner Robinson discusses employment and training issues with Ussak and Paul Kaludjak.

File contains a presentation by Leetia James of the Baffin Region Uvik Society. James descibes the history of her organization which was founded in 1984 "to provide and co-ordinate services for women who are living in violent relationships." James discusses the overall social problems she sees within her society such as drug and alcohol abuse, spousal assault and suicide. She also stresses the inability of the Canadian justice and legal system to deal properly with Inuit culture at the local level. Follownig the presentation Commissioner Dussault discusses James' group's shelter with her.

File contains a presentation by Leona Shandruk and Arvin Landry on behalf of the High Level Friendship Centre. Shandruk discusses her concern for continued support for Friendship Centres across the country for the good work they do helping bridge the gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people. Arvin Landry, the Youth Worker, presents on the needs of youth in the community and some of the programming he has been involved with to help young people.

File contains a presentation by Leonard Matthew regarding a number of issues relating to the James Bay area. He discusses his group's wish to help in the preservation of "our land, our culture and traditional way of life, and also with our language." Matthew states that more Aboriginals are completing post-secondary education but there are no jobs for them in their home communities. He calls on the Commission to help with funding and employment in the James Bay area. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Lewis Debassige discussing Aboriginal control over Aboriginal education. His organization has made improvements with curriculum and school facilities without corresponding rises in funding from the Canadian government. Debassige calls on the Commission to gather information where other groups in Canada are attempting to rectify these and numerous other problems to pass on to Debassige. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Lily Sutherland focusing on child and family welfare issues. Sutherland discusses the need for more training of public health officers on First Nations and for workshops on parenting and substance abuse prevention. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

This file contains a presentation by Linda Pinch focusing on the Westman WomenÂ’s Shelter in Brandon. The shelter provides safe and temporary accommodation to women and their children who have been physically, emotionally or sexually abused. Pinch also discusses the YWCA Residence Program, a halfway house facility serving people on federal and provincial people, and those needing post-mental health and post-addiction treatment.

File contains a presentation by Lizzie Palliser. Palliser discusses women's issues, particularly her own experiences as a single mother of four.

File contains a presentation by Louisa Smith, North Coast Tribal Council. Smith discusses First Nations education issues, a dispute she had with School District 52, funding issues, administrative problems in schools, teacher issues, special needs students' issues, and teacher racism in schools. Bernice Goldie discusses her experiences as a teacher, administrative abuses, bureaucratic practices which detrimentally effect students, and related concerns.

File contains a presentation by Lucassie Nutaraluk, Chairman of Kalugiak, an elders group, via translator. He is concerned with quotas for hunting and fishing and does not want Inuit people jailed for breaking laws. Nutaraluk also expresses concern that many young people do not speak Inuktitut and fears the language may die out if schools do not teach native languages.

File contains a presentation by Lucien Taparti who's an Elder and Chairperson of the local Elders' organization, discusses how Elder and hunters' concerns are often neglected while those of people who own businesses are addressed by government. He states that their is a knowledge gap of traditional Inuit culture among youth which should be addressed. Taparti discusses the local Elders organization, his work-related disability, and concerns with the justice system and the role Elders can play.

File contains a presentation by Manny Chalifoux that begins with the history of Northland School Division No. 61, headquartered in Peace River, Alberta. This school division serves a predominantly Aboriginal population. Chalifoux recommends that Aboriginal language programs, in-school cultural programs, curriculum development projects, training of all staff on cross-cultural issues and training of Aboriginal people to become teachers must be supported. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

The file contains a presentation by Margaret Jackson. Jackson discusses family support, particularly with reference to single mothers, and complications arising from Indian Act restrictions on the paying of child support by fathers.

File contains a presentation by Margaret Klopenberg, Assistant Co-ordinator of the Child Identification Program, and Christine Hoffman, Chairperson, both of the North Central Alberta Crisis Intervention Association. They describe the variety of programs the Association offers to Aboriginal people, including women's and men's domestic violence groups and self-esteem and victim assistance programs. The Association operates with little funding, much of it raised themselves, so Klopenberg and Hoffman call on the Commission to help them secure funds to keep these essential programs operating.

The file contains presentations by Marshall Murdock, Bernadette Harrison, and Rosa Walker, of the National Aboriginal Youth Career and Awareness Committee, Clayton Sandy of the Manitoba Aboriginal Youth Career Awareness Committee. Murdock discusses the mission statement of N.A.Y.C.A.C., self-government, aboriginal justice, the future of the department of Indian Affairs, the future of Indian Lands, Taxation of Indian lands, and the Indian Act. Sandy gives an overview of the M.A.Y.C.A.C. organization and some of its' work, issues with policing in Winnipeg, and a conference they held there.

File contains a presentation by Mary Charleson of Victoria, British Columbia, via sign language interpreter. Charleson attended the Jericho Hill School for the Deaf in Vancouver where there were few Aboriginal people. She would like to see a program for assisting hearing-impaired Aboriginal people who want to return to their reserve. A discussion with the Commissioners follows the presentation.

File contains a presentation by Mary Desmoulin providing a brief history of the Sault Ste. Marie Friendship Centre. She describes the Friendship Centre's goal as "improving the quality of life for Aboriginal people in an urban environment by supporting self-determined activities which encourage both equal access to partnership in Canadian society and in Aboriginal culture. Desmoulin also expresses concern for children, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal, with recent government cutbacks on child care.

File contains a presentation by Mary Ford. Ford discusses traditional customary adoption amongst Labradorians, then goes on to discuss how this has changed for the worse since the Department of Social Services came in. Following the presentation Ford and Commissioner Dussault discuss some of the issues raised.

This file contains a presentation by Mary Moore, Margaret Bernard, Barbara Bernard and Laura Bernard relating to the lack of input by Aboriginal women relating to future decisions about Aboriginal self-determination and self-government. The presenters also state that no shelter exists for women and children in crisis in Prince Edward Island, and the group is working towards funding a shelter and training Aboriginal staff to operate it. A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.

File contains a presentation by Mary O'Donnell focusing on parental involvement in education at all levels. She states that Aboriginal parents have a responsibility to sit on committees and PTAs to share information, give advice and generally support their children during their educational years. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Mary Rose Maksagak discussing the lack of recreation facilities, housing and educational opportunities in Cambridge Bay. She hopes that Grades 11 and 12 will be offered soon as students must leave home to finish high school in Yellowknife. She calls on the Commission to help with proposed funding for a new building that would hold Grades 9-12 under one roof. A lengthy question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.

File contains a presentation by Matt Vickers focusing on the impact of the imposed political, educational, social and religious systems on North American Aboriginal peoples. He lists statistics for offences committed in the Kispiox area and calls on the Commission to ensure that "immediate steps are taken to ensure that documented cases of dysfunctional relations that are mostly a result of the residential school systems receive immediate assistance regarding their recovery process. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Meeka Arnagia, Chairman, Mental Health Association, Pangnirtung, who gives a brief history of mental health services in the Pangnirtung area. The lease agreement on their building is up in 1993 and the group also lacks a shelter for family violence victims. Arnagia calls for considerably more funding to need the need for mental health services. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

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 members of the All Nations Youth Council, Author Thomas, Jolene Lalonde, Tracy Peters, Wanda Willier, Chris Brett, Jason Thomas, April Prince, Pearl Morgan, George Chapman, Carla Aubichon, Karen Aubichon and Dave Norbert concerning activities of youth in the Aboriginal community. Questions from the assembled commissioners are also included with the answers that were provided.

File contains a presentation by Merilda St-Onge, representative of the women of the Montagnais Nation. St-Onge discusses the legal issues pertaining to women's status in the Indian Act, and Bill C-31, as well as the issues she has personally faced as a reinstated individual under that legislation. St-Onge also discusses Montagnais women's economic and political issues in a more general sense, paternity issues, and other related matters. Following the presentation St-Onge discusses these issues with Commissioners Dussault, Wilson, and Chartrand.

File contains a presentation on behalf of the Metis Addcitions Council of Saskatchewan by Ms. Georgina Jolibois. Jolibois discusses the demographic make up of La Loche, some of the problems facing its youth, and her personal experiences as a youth councillor. Jolibois highlights problems with a lack of recreation facilities, proper housing, family violence, alcohol and drug abuse, a high rate of teenage pregnancy, welfare dependency and a lack of employment options, and the lack of educational facilities.

File contains a presentation by Michelle Harding, Metis Women of Saskatchewan. Harding welcomes the Commission to La Ronge on behalf of that communities Metis Women's Chapter. Harding lists many of the concerns facing Metis women including child care, education, problems facing Metis youth, family violence, and others. She stresses the need for fully subisidized, accessible daycare. She discusses how the current social system has created a destructive welfare cycle amongst her people, and the need to strengthen families through the creation of a crisis shelter.