Treaty 8

He tells stories of treachery by Americans against the Sioux who had fled to Prince Albert, Saskatchewan after the 1862 Minnesota Massacre, including distribution of disease-infested clothing and food. NOTE: Attempt to verify with R.C.M.P. records. He also sings and explains a very old Dakota song sung by children when rabbit-hunting.

He gives an account of the 1862 Minnesota Massacre and, in its aftermath, the movement of a group of Sioux (Dakota) to Prince Albert, Saskatchewan under the leadership of Tarasota (?). He also gives an account of the 1885 Riel Rebellion and its effect on the Sioux (Dakota) living in the Prince Albert, Saskatchewan district.

Book review of: Rogue Diamonds: Northern Riches on Dene Land by Ellen Bielawski.

Looks at the key teachings from Elders: respect, kindness, love, forgiveness, integrity and patience. Also discusses the Circle of Life Duration: 15:07.

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.

File contains an Opening Prayer and Opening Remarks by Madeline Davis, Elder, and Commissioner Georges Erasmus for the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at Fort St. John, British Columbia, November 19, 1991. File also includes introductory remarks by Commissioner of the Day Michelle Good, and Chief Stewart Cameron, Tribal Chief of the Saulteau First Nation.

File contains a presentation by Buddy Napoleon. Napoleon presents a history of Aboriginal peoples from a legal perspective from early colonization up until the present day in the Treaty Eight area. Napoleon then makes a series of policy recommendations to the Commission to rectify his concerns with government actions in the area. Following Napoleon's presentation, Napoleon and previous presenter Chief Berni Metecheah field questions from Commissioner Georges Erasmus related to issues facing the Halfway River First Nation.

File contains a presentation by Chief Archie Waguan of the Mikisew Cree First Nation. Waguan discusses the relationship his people have had with the government of Canada since they signed Treaty Eight in 1899, and the negative impact that the Canadian government and industry have had on their community and the environment which sustains it. Waguan questions the intentions of the Commission and its mandate. Commissioner Blakeney responds to the concerns raised by Waguan, and Commissioner Chartrand also contributes some comments.

File contains a presentation by Chief Bernard Meneen, Narcisse Moberly, Chief Johnson Sewegaham, Francis Meneen, Gabe Meneen, Cliff Kazony, and Harold Cardinal, High Level Tribal Council. The file consists of two formal presentations by the Tribal Council and a dialogue between the representatives and the assembled Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Chief Berni Metecheah, Halfway First Nation. Chief Metecheah outlines some of his concerns over resource development (specifically logging activities) disrupting trap lines, and associated pollution. Metecheah also highlights his concerns with sport hunters wasting moose carcasses and over-hunting in the area, as well as the detrimental impact of herbicides on his community.

File contains a presentation by Chief Bill Erasmus of the Dene Nation. Erasmus welcomes the Commission to Denedeh, the Dene homeland, and discusses "the policy that the government has adopted over the years regarding discussions with our peoples in Canada concerining the spelling out of our rights and the requirement for extinguishment," as well as the traditional Dene economy of hunting and trapping. Following the presentation the assembled Commissioners discuss some of the issues raised with Erasmus.

File contains a presentation by Clarence Apsassin, Blueberry River Reserve. He relates a brief history of Aboriginal people in North America from before 1492 down to the present day. Following this he discusses some of the history of Treaty 8 people, and his own work with various Aboriginal organizations. Apsassin makes a series of recommendations that Aboriginal governments be given more jurisdiction over their own affairs, and control over their own land and resources.

The file contains a presentation Chief Bernadette Unka of the Deninu Kue First Nation. Chief Unka discusses the history of her people who reside at Fort Resolution, NWT. Chief Unka discusses how Treaty, Metis, and Euro-Canadian people were at one time united in one government at the community, but how her people re-established band governance in 1990 due to their Treaty rights being slowly eroded.

The file contains a presentation by Irvin Norn of the Deninu Kue First Nation. Norn, the Band Administrator, discusses the historical background, the concerns, and the day-to-day issues that his band experiences with respect to membership. Norn discusses Treaty Eight, social services, education, justice, housing, health, renewable and non-renewable resources, and taxation. Following the presentation Commissioners Georges Erasmus and Paul Chartrand discuss some of the issues raised with Norn.

File contains a presentation by Diane Dokkie. Dokkie discusses Aboriginal education concerns in Fort St. John. She emphasizes the need for curriculum changes, greater understanding and awareness on the part of non-Aboriginal educators, and related concerns. Dokkie also discusses band schools. Following the presentation the assembled Commissioners engage Dokkie in a discussion on some of these issues.

File contains a presentation by Grand Chief George Behn, Fort Nelson First Nation. Behn relays the history of his people from the time they signed Treaty 8 until the present. Behn discusses problems with the government and resource companies, and the settlement which his First Nation made for oil royalty revenue. Following the presentation Commissioner Erasmus discusses resource use and pollution issues with Behn.

File contains an a presentation by Chief George Desjarlais of the West Moberly First Nation. He discusses the history of his people and their entrance into Treaty Eight. Desjarlais states that the government has not lived up to its end of the Treaty, which was intended to provide for peaceful co-existence and shared land management by the two peoples. Following the presentation Commissioner Erasmus discusses some of the points raised with Desjarlais.

File contains an a presentation by Gilbert Capot Blanc of the Treaty 8 Tribal Association. Blanc's presentation gives an account of the history of First Nations in Northeastern British Columbia, and how they came into Treaty Eight with the Crown, and the aftermath of entering into Treaty. Blanc discusses the Dunneza (Beaver), Cree, and Saulteaux inhabitants of the area from the 1790s onward. Commissioner Erasmus questions Blanc on how the Saulteaux (originally from the Lake Winnipeg area of what is now Manitoba) came to the area and Blanc describes what he knows of this history.

File contains a presentation by John Dantouze, Prince Albert Tribal Council. Dantouze presents on behalf of Saskatchewan's three Denesuline nations with regard to their Treaties (Number Eight and Number Ten) and their court case against the federal government. The case centred around the negotiations between the government and the Inuit to create Nunavut, and the Dene argued that their traditional territories were being unfairly partitioned and given away to the new territory.

File contains a presentation by Laura Dahdona, Matthew Nanooch, William Pelech, and Mary Francis on behalf of Aboriginal Social Work Students in High Level. Dahdona discusses funding and accessibility issues with regard to post-secondary education.

File contains a presentation by Cree Elder Madeline Davis. Davis delivers a personal address (translated into English from Cree) on colonization and its impact on her people. Davis discusses a wide variety of concerns including hunting rights, trapping, reserve life, education, Treaty Eight, and other issues.

File contains a presentation by Maggie Hodgeson discussing the Nechi Institute's purpose and goals. In the last 18 years this Aboriginal training institute has trained 2500 counsellors to work in the 15 Aboriginal treatment programs and 30 prevention programs in Alberta. Hodgeson calls for the Commission to ensure funding for the Nechi Institute continues because its graduates are contributing to the decline of substance abuse among Aboriginals in Alberta.

File contains a presentation by Peter Haavlik, Director, Treaty Eight Tribal Association. Haavlik discusses his organizations views of Treaty Eight and the ongoing land claims and self-government process its members are engaged in with the Federal government. He makes a series of recommendations to fix problems he sees with the process as it is currently ongoing in British Columbia, one of which is to copy positive aspects of the Saskatchewan government's Treaty Land Entitlement process. Following the presentation Commissioner Erasmus discusses some of the issues raised with Havlik.

File contains an a presentation by Sharon Venne of the Saulteau First Nation. She provides her perspective on Aboriginal governance, the Treaty and the failure of non-Aboriginal society to live up to it, conflicts with the province over wildlife management rights, and educational matters. Following Venne's presentation Erasmus discusses some of these issues with her. Venne also discusses the origins of her First Nation in Manitoba, and a trip there to meet with distant Saulteaux relations of her Nation. A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.

File contains a presentation by Sharon Venne, Lubicon Cree First Nation. Venne discusses the history of the Lubicon Cree, how they were left out of Treaty Number Eight, and the negative impact the oil industry has had on their community. Venne discusses the Lubicon land claim and the standoff between the Cree and the government of Canada. Following the presentation is a discussion between Venne and Commissioners Chartrand and Blakeney on these issues.

File contains a presentation by Mayor Stephen Thorlakson of Fort St. John, British Columbia. Thorkalson extends a welcome on behalf of the City of Fort St. John to the Commission, and makes some comments on the City's history as well as his hopes for the Commission. Following his presentation the assembled Commissioners question Thorlakson on a number of municipal issues including affirmative action programs, and Aboriginal representation on City Council.

File contains a presentation by Treaty Eight Tribal Council representatives Reg Whiten, and Chief Stewart Cameron. The Tribal Council's presentation includes video excerpts (not included in the transcript) and an oral presentation dealing with issues of concern to it. Foremost amongst these are concerns with resource development interfering with traditional lifestyles and spiritual areas, and pollution. The presenters also discuss the difficulties they have experienced in working with various levels of government.

File contains a presentation by Chief Jerry Paulette on behalf of the South River First Nation (formerly known as the Fort Smith Native Band). Paulette discusses a variety of concerns including treaties, programs and services, self-governance, and "how title and a bilateral process eveolves around self-government." Following the presentation the assembled Commissioners discuss some of the issues raised with Paulette.

He gives a concise history of the Dakota Sioux and their movement to Canada.COMMENTS: Mr. Buffalo makes a point to spell out all the names or words he speaks in the Dakota language. All the spellings come from his reference.

This 97 year old man describes the promises made in Treaty #8 and how he feels they have been broken.

Agreement to negotiate a framework required to reach an Umbrella Governance and Fiscal Agreement.

Government of Saskatchewan promotional pamphlet hailing 1985 as Saskatchewan Heritage Year. Part of the reason for this is the centennial of the Northwest Resistance, and the pamphlet encourages the public to visit historic sites related to it.

Final report examines an alleged shortfall of land and a claim for land under the provisions of Treaty 8. Commissioners include: Renée Dupuis, Daniel J. Bellegarde, and Jane Dickson-Gilmore. [This file has been saved and made available online with permission from the Indian Claims Commission website before it closed down in March 2009.]

Mr. Wellier describes the signing of Treaty #8 in the Lesser Slave Lake area. Tells how he understood the promises.

History Thesis (M.A.)--University of Victoria, 2003.

History Thesis (M.A.)--University of Victoria, 2003.

Field test draft.

Consists of an interview with three of Jim Brady's sisters. They talk about early life in St. Paul des Metis in the 1920s and 1930s, the politics and lifestyle of their father, Jim Brady, Sr., as well as discussing Brady's maternal grandfather, Laurent Garneau.

Presents concerns voiced by Doig River, Halfway River, Prophet River and West Moberly First Nations to the Site C Clean Energy Joint Review Panel regarding the Project and consultation about the environmental assessment.

Discusses the need to equip Aboriginal people with the tools for employment. Duration: 17:44.

Comments on the treaty relationship between the government, First Nations and other Canadians. Duration: 13:17.

Interview discussing the boundaries of Wabasca Reserve, and Treaty #8 promises.

Law Thesis (LL.M.)--University of Saskatchewan, 2001.

Background and results of exploratory treaty discussions conducted in Saskatchewan under the auspices of the Office of the Treaty Commissioner.

Presentation at the Expanding Our Knowledge Conference, Vancouver, BC, April 15, 2013. Duration: 19:21.

Thirty-nine of the sixty-nine elders interviewed from the Treaty 8 area mention the subject of economic development.

Summary of concerns regarding promises made in Treaty #8, mostly about education and health care issues.

A summary of various aspects of Treaty #8 including trapping, fishing and hunting rights.

Sixty-three elders' interviews from the Treaty 8 area were reviewed for references to land, and of these, all but fourteen contain some sort of statement about land.