Churches

Mrs. Tourongau, aged 67, describes the promises made in Treaty 8, and the way in which they were subsequently broken.

Interview includes a general account of Rose Bertha Fleury's life.

RCAP 136 contains files for a sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at Hotel Bonaventure-Hilton, Outremont Room, Montreal, Quebec. This sitting of the Commission includes presentations relating to Metis rights, education, Hydro-Quebec, the United Church of Canada and self-government.

The file contains an open forum presentation by Art Solomon. Solomon discusses his views on residential schools, colonialism, the role of Aboriginal societies as teachers, the imposition of patriarchy by Churches, and the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples.

RCAP 147 contains a transcript of a portion of a sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at the Westbury Hotel, Toronto, Ontario. Subjects discussed include business and economic development, hunting and trapping, employment, education, child abuse, and churches and corporate responsibility.

RCAP 53 contains files from the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at the Royal Canadian Legion hall in High Level, Alberta. This sitting of the Commission contains presentations relating to First Nations and Metis peoples, civic government, social services, and educational institutions. Each presentation can be viewed individually on this site.

RCAP 50 contains files from the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at the Battlefords' Indian and Metis Friendship Centre, North Battleford, Saskatchewan. This sitting of the Commission contains presentations relating to a variety of Aboriginal organizations, agriculture, health care, addictions, the provincial government, the Roman Catholic Church, education and women's and justice issues. Each presentation can be viewed individually on this site.

File contains closing remarks and a closing prayer for the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at Singituq Complex, Rankin Inlet, Northwest Territories, on Thursday, November 19, 1992. Closing remarks by Commissioner Viola Robinson and Allan Blakeney thank the day's participants, as does facilitator Paul Kaludjak which is followed with a closing prayer by Anglican minister Paul Williams concluding the day's proceedings.

File contains the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at Mani-Utenam, Sept-Iles, Quebec, . File includes a variety of presentations from bands, Aboriginal organizations, a member of Parliament, community groups, individuals, and Church officials. Each presentation can be viewed individually on this site.

File contains an individual presentation by Don Sax, a businessman-turned-Anglican clergyman with nine years experience living in the Canadian North. Sax sees a need for the recovery of Aboriginal and Inuit culture and also the lack of communications for Northern businesses to expand and be financially viable. A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.

File contains a presentation by Doris Saunders that details the histories of Happy Valley and Goose Bay communities, their amalgmation in 1974, and the services provided today.

File contains a presentation by Emile Bell relating to the negative effects of residential schools and the impact of AIDS on Aboriginal people in Canada. Bell, a co-founder of Joe Duquette High School in Saskatoon, works with street people in Saskatoon where the majority are Aboriginal. He calls on the Commission to help provide financial compensation for survivors of residential school abuse, and funding for a shelter for those living on the streets. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains an individual presentation by Greg Kjos who has ministered with people who either live near or work near Aboriginal First Nations in Saskatchewan and Alberta. He believes that our society should regard Aboriginal spirituality as having equal status with other established faiths. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

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 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 Suzanne McCarthy, consultant on language and literacy issues for the Anglican Diocese of Moosonee, Ontario. Her focus is on Cree Syllabics that "deeply reflects Cree values, culture and social patterns. She calls on the Commission to ensure that Cree Syllabics are a protected aspect of Canadian culture. A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.

This file contains a round table discussion from a sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at the Winnipeg Convention Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba, on Wednesday, June 2, 1993. This portion includes opening comments from Moderator Roland Penner, Menno Wiebe, Spokesman, Mennonite Central Committee and Commissioners Paul Chartrand and Bertha Wilson.

File contains a presentation by Alex Skead, Migweech Elder. Skead outlines his spiritual views, his background, and the problem of Alcohol abuse.

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.

The file contains presentations by Bishop Sjoberg, Dr. Kuhn, and Cathy Dorland, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada. The Bishop delivers a brief expressing solidarity with Aboriginal Canadians, and contrition for historical wrongs. Bishop Sjoberg then discusses what is necessary for a new relationship between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Canadians, and some of the work the ELCIC has done to bring this about and increase cross-cultural understanding. Dr. Kuhn discusses self-determination issues in a political and economic sense.

File contains a presentation by Cajetan Rich. Rich delivers a brief history of the community of Davis Inlet, Labrador. Rich discusses the community from the 1700s to contemporary times.

File contains a presentation by Chief Charlie Cootes, Uchucklesaht Residential Schools. Cootes relates the often painful history of the Nuu-Chah-Nulth's experience with residential schools, and its legacy on their communities.

File contains a presentation by Chief Dan Robillard, Prince Albert Tribal Council. Robillard discusses the importance of language to culture, and highlights some economic complaints directed at government policy with relation to freight costs and outfitting. Robillard also highlights his view that the Inuit have been given superior assistance to that recieved by the Dene. Chief John McDonald then discusses multi-jurisdictional issues. Following this, Commissioners Erasmus and Chartrand make some questions and comments on land use in the north.

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.

File contains a presentation by Chief Paul Sam. Chief Sam comments on the preceding presentations of Cathy Rutherford, and the two Roman Catholic Peace and Development Group presenters. Following this Sam invites the Commissioners to come in six months time and take in an Aboriginal fastball tournament. Following the Chief's remarks Commissioners Dussault and Chartrand discuss this with him.

File contains a presentation by David Newhouse. Newhouse, a professor of Native Studies at Trent University, delivers a presentation highlighting six ways that he thinks Aboriginal society is changing: 1) urbanization, 2) "retraditionalization", 3) institutionalization, 4) the process of self-government, 5) cultural identity reinforcement, and 6) textual transformation. Newhouse elaborates on these sociological concepts, and then discusses their implications with Commissioners Blakeney, Wilson, Sillet, and Harper.

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 presentation by four members of the Lubicon Settlement Commission of Review. The Commission of Review was organized in [1992] and launched by Ray Martin, Leader of the Opposition, Government of Alberta. Their mandate was to investigate, compare, assess and report on the presentation of the Lubicons to the two levels of government and to report to the three parties and to the public. The Commission of Review in March 1993 tabled their report before the public with the Lubicons present. Both levels of government were not present despite repeated invitations.

File contains a presentation by Fletcher Stewart and Lydia Constant of the Henry Budd College for Ministry. The Henry Budd College for Ministry is an academic institution under the auspices of the Diocese of Brandon, Anglican Church of Canada. Its purpose is to equip persons for ministry in the Church. The aims of the College are three-fold: a) Academic and practical education of Aboriginal people for Christian ministry (lay and ordained) primarily but not exclusively in the Anglican Church of Canada.

File contains a presentation by Herb Manak. Manak discusses two concerns: health care in Labrador, and services for the disabled. Manak relates his own experiences with health care in Labrador, and suggests more accessibility for disabled people.

File contains a presentation by Jean Koning. Koning discusses her views as a Canadian citizen and member of the Anglican Church of Canada on Aboriginal issues. Amongst the issues she raises are history curricula, rights struggles, and cultural concerns. Following her presentation Commissioners Chartrand and Erasmus discuss some of the issues raised with Koning.

File contains a presentation by Jeff Baldwin, Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace. Baldwin discusses his organization's view of Canadian Aboriginal issues, particularly with regard to economic and spiritual concerns. One key problem he highlights is a great deal of ignorance of Aboriginal society and culture amongst Non-Aboriginal peoples, or as he puts it "We can see this quite easily as a problem for the non-Aboriginal society. Aboriginal people are compelled to encounter our society and our culture. We are not.

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 a presentation by John Joe Sark, Captain of the Micmac Grand Council. Sark discusses the need to tell Aboriginal history, particularly the positive side, in schools in New Brunswick. He also discusses the Micmac's struggle to hold onto their culture through generations of assimilative pressures. Following Sark's presentation is a discussion with the Commissioners.

This file contains a presentation by Julius Merkuratsuk expressing hope that perhaps one day his Church may have a minister who is from Nain and who is bilingual (English and Inuktitut). He also states that the wisdom and knowledge of elders in his Church and community must be passed on to the Inuit so Inuit culture and language does not become extinct. He introduces Julius Saimat, the next speaker.

This file contains a presentation by Julius Saimat that reiterates the previous speaker's concern with the lack of a minister for their church in Nain. He seeks to secure a minister after being without one since 1983 but states that the parishioners have been competently running the church themselves. Co-Chair Georges Erasmus states that dealing with religion and churches is not part of the Commission's mandate, but will refer the two Moravian church members' concerns to the Labrador Inuit Association.

File contains a presentation by Therese Ottawa and Delima Niquay of the Regional Council on Education and Culture. Ottawa discusses family violence, addictions, and associated social services concerns. Ottawa recommends harsher sentences for conjugal violence, stronger community participation, better funding for social services, as well as discussing general women's issues, the need for increased awareness campaigns, and the establishment of men's discussion groups on the issue of family violence.

File contains a presentation by Marcelle Sinclair of the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace. Sinclair discusses his organization's background, its mandate, and goals. Sinclair discusses the general historical, cultural, and economic position of Aboriginal peoples in Canada. Sinclair states that "self government without land is something impossible.

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 Mgr Gerard Drainville, Bishop of Amos, Roman Catholic Diocese. Drainville discusses the territory for which he is responsible in the context of Aboriginal-Non-Aboriginal relations. Drainville reads a pastoral letter delivered originally by the Quebec Assembly of Catholic Bishops. Drainville discusses colonization, rights, land, tensions, spirituality, and related matters in relations between the two groups. The assembled Commissioners comment on and discuss the presentation with Drainville.

File contains a presentation by the Northwest Urban Aboriginal Society of Prince Rupert. Vern Brown, President of the Prince Rupert Local of the Council of Haida Nations introduces his fellow presenters John Stewart, Bill Wright, and Fred Anderson. Brown discusses the urban Aboriginal population in Prince Rupert, its' demographic make-up, educational and language concerns, the need for facilities and resources, land claims issues, housing issues, seniors issues, disabled people's issues, health issues, and general urban and off-reserve concerns.

File contains a presentation by Paul Williams, vicar of the Anglican Church in Rankin Inlet. He presents his concerns as an individual on education and suicide in the community. Williams argues that there is not enough funding for culturally relevant education of the kind that is needed. Williams then discusses the problem of the extremely high rate of suicide in the community, and the lack of help in dealing with it. Following his presentation Commissioners Robinson and Blakeney thank Williams and discuss some of the issues raised with him.

This file contains a presentation by Phyllis Fisher relating to the use of violence towards Canada's First Peoples, historical and present day. The Canadian Friends Service Committee, a Quakers committee, have previously assisted the Innu in Labrador, the Lubicon in Alberta and were present at the Oka Crisis. The presenters make numerous recommendations, including the establishment of an environmental process that will adequately protect the land, environment and wildlife; and that public policy and funding must give preference to renewable resource development over non-renewable resources.

File contains a presentation by Reverend Bob Kimmerly, Kootenay Presbytery, United Church of Canada. Kimmerly delivers an address to the Royal Commission on behalf of the United Church in the area with regard to its relationship with Aboriginal peoples, past and present. Following this, Commissioners Dussault and Chartrand thank Kimmerly for his remarks.

This file contains a presentation by Rev. Dr. R. Burn Purdon, Rev. Faye Wakeling and Rev. Pierre Goldberger.

This file contains a presentation by Rev. Dr. Raymond Hodgson and Rev. Peter Hemel. Their organization is a national ecumenical coalition, one of 12 national coalitions of the major Christian churches in Canada. The Taskforce assists the members in implementing policies adopted by the churches in the areas of corporate, social and environmental responsibility. For example, the Taskforce worked with the Nisga'a relating to a mine built in Alice Arm, British Columbia.

File contains a presentation by the Rev. Ken Forrester of the Roman Catholic Church Development and Peace Group. Forrester discusses some of his organizations views on issues like reconciliation, justice, solidarity, and the fight against racism and discrimination. Following the remarks Commissioners Dussault and Chartrand thank Forrester for his thoughts.

File contains a presentation by the Reverend Doug Greenough of the St. Clair United Church. Reverend Greenough, pastor of a Church on the Sarnia Reserve, discusses the United Church of Canada's views on Aboriginal spirituality, his own personal ones, and cross-cultural understanding.

File contains a presentation by Reverend Walter Edmunds of the Moravian Church of Labrador. He provides a brief history of the Moravian Church in Labrador and discusses the overlapping land claims of the Moravian Church and the Labrador Inuit Association. Following the discussion is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.