This file contains a transcript of a sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at The Citadel Inn, Ottawa, Ontario. This is an overview of Discussion Paper No. 7, "Housing Our Past; Creating Our Future." by Sheila Watt-Cloutier on the problems of remote and northern communities with regard to reforms considered in Aboriginal education in other regions. The overview is presented by Josepi Padlayat.

Representative of the centre calls on the Commission to ensure further funding for the organization, which serves both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal women. Includes 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 Paper Tabled by Clifford Morgan concerning Equity Housing Program.

File contains preliminary remarks by Co-Chair Rene Dussault before Round Table No. 2 at the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at the Hotel Bonaventure, Montreal, Quebec, on May 7, 1993.

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.

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 grade 6 students at Tsi Snaihne School and elders of Iakhihshotha on the subject of the "Adopt-a-Tota" program.

File contains a presentation by the Aboriginal Youth Group of the Miawpukek Band. The seven members present discuss a variety of youth concerns such as sporting and recreational facilities, alcohol and drug abuse, and education with the assembled Commissioners.

The file contains a presentation by Adrian De Groot, past Commissioner of the Northern Manitoba Economic Development Corporation. De Groot discusses the organization's activities with communities in Northern Manitoba; economic enterprises such as wild rice farming, mining, and trapping; sustainable development practices; the organization's mandate and goals. Following the presentation Commissioners Wilson and Chartrand discuss some of the issues raised with De Groot.

The file contains a presentation by Al Adams, Deputy Mayor, City of Thompson. Deputy Mayor Adams welcomes the Commission to Thompson, then discusses its' demographic and economic composition, funding concerns, co-operation with Aboriginal communities, taxation issues, and resource development. Following the presentation Commissioners Wilson and Chartrand discuss some of the issues raised with Adams.

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

The file contains a presentation by Alan Marcus. Marcus, a doctoral candidate at the Scott Polar Research Institute at Cambridge University (UK), discusses his observations on the High Arctic Relocation program. Marcus performed a case study of the relocation from Inukjuak, Quebec to Grise Fiord and Resolute Bay. Marcus discusses associated sovereignty and Inuit issues. Following his presentation the assembled Commissioners discuss some of the ideas therein with Marcus.

File contains a presentation by Peggy Bird, Joanne Jackson, and Alanna Elijah, members of the Tribal Soverignty Association and councillors at the N'Amerind Friendship Centre in London. Bird, Jackson, and Elijah discuss the Healing Circle program they are involved with which seeks to treat social problems with traditional spiritual concepts. Following their presentation is a discussion between the three presenters and the assembled Commissioners on some of the issues raised.

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 the Alcohol Related Birth Defects Committee by Betsy Jackson and Lorraine Stick. Jackson and Stick discuss FAS/FAE related issues as they pertain to Aboriginal communities in Yukon. They discuss the composition of their committee and its mandate, as well as their activities and contacts with other organizations across Canada and in Alaska. Following their presentation the assembled Commissioners discuss some of these issues with them.

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.

This file contains a presentation by Alisha Point providing the history and statistics for present-day membership and facilities of the Six Nations, the largest First Nations in Canada.

File contains remarks by Allison Ballantyne, Kiknahk Friendship Centre. Ballantyne discusses the Centre's programming and some of the issues it faces, notably a lack of adequate resources for its programming.

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.

File contains a presentation by Alphonse Janvier. Janvier discusses Metis justice and social issues in Saskatchewan. Janvier also discusses financial issues.

This file contains a presentation by Alwyn Morris, Canadian Olympic medal winner in 1984. He sought in 1986 to establish an organization for Aboriginal sport development, but was turned down by the Department of Indian Affairs. Eventually Morris created his own foundation in 1988. He eventually received some funding from Indian Affairs and now calls to the Commission to ensure funding continues for this essential organization for Aboriginal youth. A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.

Historical note:

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.

This file contains a presentation by Amos Key relating to his organization's recommendations for providing post-secondary education for the people of Six Nations of the Grand River.

This file contains a presentation by Andre Maltais that begins with a brief retrospective on the Quebec government's approach to the Aboriginal people of Quebec. The speaker lists a number of past measures that are making the lives of Quebec Aboriginal people better. They include the construction of a hospital in Kahnawake, a guaranteed income program of Cree hunters and trappers, construction of a number of airports in Inuit communities, and an Inuit teacher education program at the University of Quebec. A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.

This file contains a presentation by Andrea Curley focusing on the Six Nations Red Feather Teen Group, formed after a number of Curley's friends were killed in an alcohol-related car accident. The group holds dances, car washes, movie nights, camping trips, bingos, and raises funds to attend Toronto Blue Jays games. The group's goal is to acquire a space for rent as a meeting place, as the group's membership is growing dramatically. A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.

File contains a presentation by Andrea Currie focusing on working with women and men involved in street prostitution in Halifax. Her organization has teams that work with Aboriginal people who are on the street. Her group also attempts to help those sex workers who have dealings with the law.

The file contains a presentation by Andrew Kirkness, Indian Council, First Nations of Manitoba, and President Glen McIvor of the Wabowden Treaty Council. Kirkness discusses off-reserve Treaty people's issues including relations with the Department of Indian Affairs, Bill C-31 issues, the Northern Flood Agreement, education funding, economic development, provincial funding, housing, cultural programs, hunting, justice issues, views on the Royal Commission, views on the Aboriginal Justice Inquiry, and land issues.

The file contains a presentation by Andrew Orkin. Orkin, presenting as a concerned citizen from the perspective of a legal professional, discusses his views on the events of the High Arctic Relocation program of the 1950s. Following Orkin's presentation the assembled Commissioners discuss some of the issues raised with him.

This file contains a presentation by Andy Von Busse relating to the management of fish and wildlife resources, particularly concerning the unlimited and unregulated hunting and fishing ability of Status and Non-Status Aboriginals. The presenter recommends that individual First Nations should be given a clear authority to make bylaws concerning the management and use of fish and wildlife resources within their boundaries. A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.

The file contains a presentation by Angelina Jones. Jones discusses the importance of education, the need for self-healing before self-determination or self-sufficiency can be achieved, social problems, addictions, and Elder abuse on reserves. Following the presentation Commissioner Mary Sillett thanks Jones and comments on her presentation.

This file contains a presentation by Anne-Marie Hodes relating to the Native Health Care Careers Program at the University of Alberta. Hodes examines the barriers affecting admission and retention of Aboriginal students to professional health facilities. The mandate of the Program focuses on encouraging Aboriginal students to consider a career in medicine in order to correct the under-representation of Aboriginal physicians in Canada. A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation. Everett Lambert acts as facilitator.

File contains a presentation by April Waditaka, Student, Carlton High School, Prince Albert. Wadikata discusses issues in education, babysitting, the need for more Aboriginal staff in the city school system, the need to upgrade the band's recreation program, social issues of home life which need to be addressed, money for recreation facilities, and other issues addressing youth. Following the presentation is a discussion between Waditaka, Miranda Propser (the preceding presenter) and Commissioners Erasmus, and Chartrand on the issues raised in their presentations.

File contains a presentation by Arctic Exiles Markoosie Patsauq, Andrew Iquak, Anna Nungak, Patsauq Iqaluk, Samwillie Elijassialuk. These survivors of the High Arctic relocation program which forcibly removed Inuit people in the 1950s to the high arctic recount some of their personal stories of the process. Following the presentations Commissioner Dussault thanks them for presenting to the Commission.

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.

This file contains a presentation by Armand Couture, Robert Brunet, Andre Laporte and Mr. Marguillier that analyzes the current climate for project negotiations between Aboriginal groups and Hydro-Quebec.

File contains a presentation by Arnold Blackstar, Battlefords Indian and Metis Friendship Centre. Blackstar presents a letter on behalf of the President of the Friendship Centre who was unable to be in attendance which welcomes the Commission and outlines what the Friendship Centre does in the Battlefords. Following that, Blackstar, who is the Centre's youth co-ordinator, presents on some of the issues youth programming faces, particularly a lack of stable and adequate funding. Blackstar also discusses some of the challenges faced by Aboriginal youth in post-secondary education.

This file contains a presentation by Arnold Lazare discussing the need for the Kahnawake Youth Centre to continue providing activities and programs for young people. Recently, despite funding cutbacks, the Centre has offered programs for adults as well. Lazare calls on the Commission to ensure funding continues as the Centre now serves adults. A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.

File contains opening remarks by President Art Miki of the National Association of Japanese Canadians. Miki discusses what he sees as problems in the telling of Canadian history, as well as his hopes for the Commission and that the lives of Aboriginal people across the country will be improved by it.

The file contains a presentation by Art Petahtegoose. Petahtegoose, a Professor at Cambrian College from the White Fish Lake First Nation, discusses Government judiciary education and Treaties. Petahtegoose discusses the Indian Act, Aboriginal rights, traditional governance amongst the Ojibwa, and related issues in this context. Following the presentation Commissioner Dussault discusses some of the issues raised with Petahtegoose.

This file contains a presentation by Athelstan Burrows, also a member of the Board of Directors, Quebec Association of Protestant School Boards, and David Daoust that focuses on educational issues relating to Aboriginal peoples in Canada.

File contains a presentation by Austin Sterling. He delivers a short presentation on the positive aspects of having Band Schools. Sterling is himself the principal of such a school. Following his remarks Commissioners Chartrand and Dussault thank him for his participation.

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 Barbara Barnes and Glenn Morrison for the National Association of Cultural Education Centres on the subject of the survival of Native culture.

File contains a presentation by Clifford Lincoln, Special Representative of the Barriere Lake Algonquins. Lincoln discusses the Trilateral Agreement signed by the Barrier Lake Algonquins with the governments of Quebec and Canada on August 22, 1991.

File contains a presentation by Barry Kennedy. Kennedy, a member of the First Nations Council of Moose Jaw, discusses that organization's history and activities in the economic and social spheres. Kennedy also discusses his organizations relations with the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations and the Metis Society of Saskatchewan.

File contains a presentation by Acting Chief Elaine Myers, Bartlett's Harbour Indian Band Council. Myers discusses the history of the Band Council, which represents approximately 550 Non-Status people. Myers highlights a variety of concerns including unemployment, education, social problems, policing, family issues, housing issues, a lack of recreation facilities, economic problems, fisheries, literacy concerns, and the need for the Band to be registered. Following this Chief Myers discusses some of these issues with Commissioners Erasmus and Robinson.

File contains a presentation by Ben Andrews. Andrews discusses issues associated with colonization in Canada, making reference to Dene communities and the Oka Crisis.

File contains a presentation by Benoit Sioui. Sioui delivers a presentation entitled "The importance of a structure to promote and preserve our culture" in which he argues for the establishment of a museum and cultural centre to serve the Huron-Wendat communities needs.

The file contains a presentation by Brent G. Sivertz, Former Commissioner of the Northwest Territories. Gerard Kenney assists Mr. Sivertz as he is feeling ill. The presentation deals with the High Arctic Relocation program, the rationale behind it, and Mr. Sivertz's role in it. Sivertz claims that some of the allegations made at earlier Commission hearings were untrue, and that no Inuit were forcibly relocated. Following the presentation the assembled Commissioners question Sivertz on the contents of his presentation.

File contains a presentation by Bernard Cleary. Cleary, a Montagnais man, Aboriginal negotiator, advisor to several Aboriginal nations, and journalist, discusses his experiences and belief that the government will not act on Aboriginal issues until the political will develops to do so. Following his presentation Commissioner Dussault thanks him for his submission.

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.