Indian & Northern Affairs Canada (INAC)

The file contains a presentation by Professor Magnus Gunther. Gunther, a Professor of Political Studies at Trent University, discusses the findings of a report he was hired to do by the Department of Indian Affairs to "review all of the allegations which had been made about how the government had handled the relocation in order to see whether these could be confirmed by documentary corroboration." Gunther identifies and describes five areas where he disagrees with "the prevailing wisdom on these matters" with reference to the High Arctic Relocation program.

This file contains a presentation by Mark LaForme relating to his experiences in negotiations with First Nations, Ontario and the federal governments in the area of self-government. He refers to not the overall governance of a community, but with specific matters such as policing agreements for First Nations, and joint stewardship of resources immediately adjacent to First Nations communities. The First Nations negotiations that LaForme has been involved with look for practical, realistic solutions to problems that face Aboriginal people every day.

The file contains a presentation by Mary Ann Crow Healy. Crow Healy discusses the Indian Act, and the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs, arguing that both should be abolished. Crow Healy's second recommendation is that the federal government invite Aboriginal people's into Confederation, and claims that this kind of partnership is a necessity to move forward. Presenters Kurtis Eagle Speaker, Amber Flett, Kelly Healy, Kristen Many Bears, and Michelle Spear Chief also contribute comments on this second recommendation.

File contains a presentation by Matt Vickers discussing the downsizing of the Hazelton, British Columbia district office of the Department of Indian Affairs and the adverse effect upon the Aboriginal people it serves. He also discusses Bill C-31 and what he believes is inadequate alternative funding arrangements offered by the Canadian government.

This file contains a presentation by four members of the Indian Association of Alberta. The first speaker, Regena Crowchild, expresses disappointment with the Royal Commission's recommendation that "the right to self-determination is to 'pursue self-government within the structure of Confederation to join in the process of building a country that derives its strength from the contributions of all its peoples' is to misconstrue the meaning of the right of self-determination." Chowchild believes that "states have a duty to accommodate the aspirations of Indigenous peoples.

File contains a presentation by Robert Beaudin focusing on special education, as defined as a refinement of existing programs offered to children. He believes that the funding methodology used by the Department of Indian Affairs Canada should be re-evaluated to accommodate First Nations in meeting and satisfying the terms and conditions of the Department's funding arrangements. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

This file contains a presentation by Roger Obonsawin relating to problems faced by Aboriginal communities and individuals. He offers a number of solutions, including recognizing Aboriginal and treaty rights to form the basis for strong, self-sufficient Aboriginal communities; initiating economic development that focuses on small business development; and that Indian and Northern Affairs Canada be relieved of its responsibility for implementing and negotiating self-government initiatives. A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.

File contains a presentation by Ron George, President of the Native Council of Canada. George discusses the situation of his constituency (non-status and Metis people of Canada) at length, and also discusses his views on Status Indians and the government's dealings with them. Georges presentation covers a wide range of topics including self-governance as it pertains to off-reserve populations, and Canadian Constitutional issues.

This file contains a presentation by members of the Coalition Against First Nations Genocide, a group representing the grassroots of First Nations across Canada.

File contains a presentation by Ted Harlson. Harlson discusses individual rights and why he thinks they must be absolute for a successful application of self-governance to Aboriginal peoples. Harlson presents a philosophical paper outlining why individual rights are important, and what he views as the dangers of collectivism. Following the presentation are comments by Commissioners Chartrand and Dussault.

File contains a presentation by three Algonquin bands: Jean-Maurice Matchewan (Lac Barriere), Harry St. Denis (Wolf Lake), and Carol McBride (Timiskaming). This presentation on behalf of all three First Nations gives a brief historical background of the Algonquin people, an overview of their contemporary conditions, the outstanding claim of the Algonquin nation, relations with the Department of Indian Affairs, and a summary and policy recommendations to the Commission.

This file contains a presentation by Aiden Meltingtallow, Audrey Breaker and Janice ManyGreyHorses focusing on the many successes of various Aboriginal-themed programs and classes at the high school and post-secondary level in Calgary, Alberta.

The file contains a presentation on behalf of All Nations Trust Company by Ruth Williams and Larry Peeters. Williams, President of All Nations Trust, discusses the history of the company and the philosophy behind it. Williams makes mention of their involvement with financing Aboriginal housing and small businesses. Following the presentation Commissioner Mary Sillett, Moderator Bob Manuel and the two presenters discuss some of the issues raised in the presentation.

File contains a presentation by Robert George on behalf of the Stony Point First Nation. George discusses his peoples history, how he says they were defrauded of their lands and kicked off their reserve by the government, how the Kettle Point Council claims they were one reserve together but that they dispute this, and details of the dispute between his people, Indian Affairs, and Kettle Point. Following the presentation Commissioners Georges Erasmus and Paul Chartrand discuss the issues raised with George.

File contains a presentation by Chief Thomas Bressette of the London District Chiefs. Bressette, Chief of the Chippewas of Kettle and Stony Point First Nation, London District, discusses his peoples land dispute with the Department of National Defence over an area known as Stony Point. Chief Bressette goes on to discuss land and self-governance issues generally, recommending to the Commissioon that an arbitration board be set up to resolve such disputes similar to the practice employed in labour relations, and that the federal Department of Indian Affairs be dismantled.

This file contains a part of a transcript of a portion of a sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at the Hunters Room, Skyline Plaza Hotel, Calgary, Alberta. This part includes a presentation by Allan Giroux at the Round Table discussion on Addictions.

The Saddle Lake Telegraph Office and Indian Agency (background) circa 1900. Saddle Lake, NWT.

Focuses on the outstanding treaty land entitlement claim and examines the history including the 1913 and 1930 Order in Councils and problems regarding historical population counts. Commissioners include: Renée Dupuis, Daniel J. Bellegarde, and Alan C. Holman. [This file has been saved and made available online with permission from the Indian Claims Commission website before it closed down in March 2009.]

FILES CAN ONLY BE ACCESSED USING FIREFOX BROWSER. Consists of historical documents, maps, legal documents, correspondence/letters, Field notes, excerpts, submissions, transcrips and the Inquiry Report in French and English. [These files were created and compiled by the ICC and provided to the Indigenous Studies Portal in 2009 to make widely available in online format.]

A report of this incident.

A studio portrait of Sarah Anne Mann (nee Browne) wearing a full length gown.

Historical note:

Sarah Anne Browne was born on 24 May 1854 in Bowmanville, Ontario. She was married to George Gwynne Mann on 1 April 1874. Mann moved west in 1878 as a Government farm instructor, first at Fort Pitt and then Onion Lake North-West Territories.

Discusses Saskatchewan Treaty relations in the context of Prime Minister Trudeau's White Paper also known as Statement of the Government of Canada on Indian Policy, 1969.

File includes list of expenditures by Department of Northern Affairs and National Resources in Saskatchewan, 1957-62, including Roads to Resources; and a 19 December 1962 letter from the Hon. R.A. Bell, Minister of Citizenship & Immigration, enclosing memo from Neil McLeod regarding the activities of Chief Joseph Dreaver, who had travelled to various SK reserves to gather the views of Indigenous peoples concerning possible changes to the Indian Act.

Cutbacks at the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development (DIAND).

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.]

Discusses the formation of the Indian Residential Schools Resolution Canada (IRSR), and it's role surrounding church, government, and budget in settling claims out of court.

Entire issue on one pdf. To access article scroll to p.2.

Questions and answers regarding the new and improved Status card, the reasons for the new cards and the mobile application centres.

Paper attempts to comprehend why past educational visions articulated by indigenous people remain unmet.

Lists academic literature (616 sources) covering a wide range of topics relating to Bill C-31 and published since 1969.

Public Health Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Toronto, 2013.

Book review of: Separate Beds: A History of Indian Hospitals in Canada, 1920s-1980s by Maureen K. Lux.

Book review of: Severing the Ties That Bind by Katherine Pettipas.

At issue was the discriminatory, male-biased nature of the Act, which had resulted in loss of registered status for women and their children.

A ledger containing a detailed calendar of outgoing correspondence from the [Shellbrook] Agency. Correspondence subjects include medical and school admissions, building and housing construction, and grocery, stationery and agricultural purchases. This ledger contains information relating to private and legal matters of individuals, therefore there are no pages available for viewing.

Historical note:

Harold Nelson Woodsworth served as an Indian Agent at a number of agencies in Saskatchewan.

Letters from principals of the Shingwauk Indian Residential School dated from 1876 to 1904. A wide range of topics are covered, from daily school life and fundraising to anthropology and Canadian Indian policy.

Synthesis of assessments by managers throughout Department of Indian and Northern Affairs of operating environment. Outlines main issues and constraints which had affected operational planning process. Includes statistics from Indian Conditions: A Survey published in 1980.

Article gives an account of Six Nations political actions and goals of the Hereditary Council.

The Sixth Annual Report of the United States Board of Indian Commissioners includes reports of living conditions on reservations; correspondence and transcripts of meetings between government officials and Aboriginal chiefs and officials; and lists of Indian Agencies with names of tribes and agents.

Historical note:

Harold Nelson Woodsworth served as an Indian Agent at a number of agencies in Saskatchewan.

Image of the Snake Plain Indian Agency circa 1905. A row of buildings in winter with a fence in the foreground.

Sociology and Anthropology Thesis (M.A.)--McGill University, 1965.

Information on services to off-reserve and urban populations. Discussion and recommendations in the areas of: management reporting systems, polarization of assistance programs, emphasis on improved quality of life, standards for approval of welfare payments, possibility of using non-professional staff for some functions, increasing cooperation and compatibility with provincial procedures and case work reporting. Includes proposals of the Calgary Urban Treaty Indian Alliance.

Looks at the unregulated solid waste management practices in Saskatchewan and findings of dioxins, furans and other persistent chemical pollutants on Native lands.

Presents themes of review: lack of willingness by the federal government to honor constitutional obligations; focus of providing provincial level of special education services; limited funding; lack of respect for First Nations knowledge.

Objective was to examine whether funding arrangements for devolution of programs and services were appropriate, effective in achieving targeted outcomes, efficient administratively and as government policy instruments, and whether accountability provisions were suited to the needs of funding recipients and the Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs.

This speech describes the struggle to have Aboriginal issues such as poverty and lack of education addressed by the Canadian Department of Indian Affairs. Cardinal also disputes the Department's charge that monies were misspent by the Native Council of Canada and presents a defense. Handwritten annotations in pencil by unknown author.

Historical note:

Argues that the change is an attempt to download delivery of programs and services to First Nation governments, perhaps without adequate financial support.

For Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada and Library and Archives Canada, the audit covered the period between May 2006, when the federal government approved the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement, and November 2012. For the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the period covered was from July 2009, when the current commissioners were appointed, and November 2012.The audit also included any significant subsequent events that occurred up until the completion date of he report. Audit work for this chapter was completed on 13 February 2013.

Examines the challenges to provide potable water to communities in Ontario; the role of government centered policy development and the identification of areas needing supportive policy.