File contains a presentation by Jacqueline Ellsworth, Native Housing Program. Ellsworth discusses housing programs in PEI, and the effect of government cutbacks as well as recommendations to improve the system. Following the presentation is a discussion with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by James Cardinal on behalf of Chief Peter Ross of the Arctic Red River community of the Gwich'in people (in the Mackenzie River Delta). Cardinal's presentation disucsses alcohol problems, land claims, band issues, education, and a host of other issues. Following the presentation is a conversation between the presenter and the Commissioners (mainly Allan Blakeney) regarding some of the issues raised, notably the effectiveness of alcohol prohibition in Gwich'in territory.

File contains a presentation by James Favel and Bill Swimmer, both of the Strike Them on the Back band, currently part of the Sweetgrass First Nation. Favel remarks that the Department of Indian Affairs forced the Strike Them on the Back Band to amalgamate with the Sweetgrass Band, and gave control to the Sweetgrass council which now ignores the Strike on the Back members concerns.

File contains a presentation by James Johnson. Johnson, a member of the Walpole Island First Nation, discusses his personal views on the Indian Act with reference to economic development, education, assistance, and political structures. Following the presentation the assembled Commissioners discuss the issues raised with Johnson.

File contains a presentation by Janet Macdonald, a Micmac woman formerly involved with producing the Native Council newspaper in PEI. Macdonald relates the story of her papers demise due to funding cuts, and explains the importance of having independent Aboriginal media in her view. Following the presentation is a brief discussion with the Commissioners on these issues.

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.

The file contains a presentation by Jeanette Castello. Castello states that her presentation is "based on the theme working together towards a positive change presented on behalf of the Tsimshian community of Kitselas." Castello discusses traditional self-government practices, and problems brought on by colonialism.

File contains a presentation by Jeannette Boivin, Director of the General Council of Atikamekw Women. Boivin delivers a presentation on democracy, self-governance, the need for consultation, decentralization, and enhanced powers for elected represetnatives. Boivin also discusses the importance of establishing an appeal system in the form of a parity system or ombudsman's office, and training and education concerns.

The file contains a presentation by Mary Guilbeault and Jennifer Wood of the Winnipeg First Nations Tribal Council. Guilbeault and Wood discuss their organization's mandate, composition, and operations in Manitoba. Specifically they address concerns such as employment, off-reserve people's reasons for leaving, rights issues, overrepresentation in prisons, racism and discrimination, funding concerns, and identity issues. Following the presentation Commsisioner Wilson and Chartrand discuss some of the issues raised with the two presenters.

File contains a presentation by Jim Andersen. Andersen discusses his life in Makkovik and the struggles he has gone through, as well as his great interest in the struggles of Aboriginal people to attain their rightful place in Confederation.

File contains a presentation by Jim Carberry. Carberry discusses his favourable impressions of Canada as a youth in Northern Ireland, and his shock and disgust at the position of Aboriginal people in Canadian society when he arrived here. Carberry discusses how he sees Aboriginal problems as mirroring those of other minorities around the world, and makes some suggestions to increase Aboriginal pariticipation in the wider society. Following the presentation is a discussion between Commissioners Chartrand and Blakeney with Carberry on some of these topics.

The file contains a presentation by Jim Penton, Metis Senator. Penton discusses racism in southern Alberta, his solidarity with the Peigan people in their struggles with respect to the Oldman River dam, issues of Metis identity, decolonization, Constitutional rights, urban concerns, education concerns, justice concerns, and general Metis issues. Following the presentation Commissioner Erasmus and Jim Penton discuss the definition of Metis people.

File contains a presentation by Jimmy Dick. Dick discusses the inherent right to self-government and his views on it. Following the presentation is a discussion between Commissioners Chartrand and Blakeney with Dick on the form self-governance should theoretically take, specifically with regard to an urban context like Toronto.

File contains a presentation by Joan Tornberg, Tornberg and Associates. Tornberg, a Metis woman, operates a service delivery agency in Northern Alberta. Tornberg presents on issues related to education and job training for Aboriginal people in the community of Anzac, Alberta. Following her presentation are some remarks by Commissioners Chartrand and Blakeney.

File contains a presentation by Jobie Epoo, Mayor of Inukjuak. Epoo relays some of the history of the community which was formed from members of three different Inuit camps. Epoo discusses the benefits and drawbacks of the welfare system, and the problem of wealth leaving the community with little benefit to the local population. Epoo also discusses the plight of local youth who have little hope for the future, and a lack of social infrastructure to service the people's needs.

The file contains a presentation by Joe Karetak, Inuit Tapirisat of Canada. Karetak discusses programs to deal with suicide issues in the Keewatin Region of the Northwest Territories (now Nunavut). Karetak also discusses some of the language difficulties involved with operating the Keewatin Crisis Line, participation of elders, and costs.

The file contains a presentation by Joe Michel, Keewatin Tribal Council. Michel discusses the mandate and "seriousness" of the Commission with Commissioner Wilson. Michel then discusses self-governance issues with Commissioner Wilson, and the dysfunctionality of past studies in helping Aboriginal people. Michel also discusses issues of government policy with Commissioner Chartrand.

File contains a presentation by Joe Miskokomon, Grand Chief, Union of Ontario Indians. Miskokomon delivers a presentation on behalf of his organization that deals with the challenges facing its members: namely, self-governance, overcoming divisions between Aboriginal peoples, the struggle for women's equality, urban issues, and others. Miskomon states that he views self-governance primarily as a question of jurisdiction, and that jurisdictional issues must be addressed. Following the presentation are comments and a discussion between Commissioners Dussault, Erasmus, Robinson and Miskomon.

File contains a presentation by Joe Sanford. Sanford discusses his life as a Non-Status Indian and his thoughts that he has been discriminated against by the Indian Act, and Bill C-31. Sanford asks who has the jurisdiction to define people. Following his presentation Commissioners Sillet, Wilson, and Blakeney discuss this with him.

The file contains a presentation by Joey Hamelin, Metis National Council. Hamelin discusses funding issues for the Metis, some examples of suicides that occurred amongst that community in Alberta, and the role of the Metis Services Organization, and Native Brotherhood in Alberta.

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 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 Edsu of Fort McPherson. Edsu discusses his views on the trapping industry in the area and his view of its great importance to people of the north. Edsu protests southerners coming in as transient labour and taking jobs that he feels northerners are qualified to do. He also discusses rival claims over land by trappers and large multinational resource companies. He requests recognition from the federal Government of the importance of the trapping industry to his people, and criticizes the anti-fur movement as destructive and naive.

File contains a presentation by John Jamieson of the PEI Fisherman's Association. Jamieson discusses the fishery in PEI and the Micmac's involvement. He focuses on the need for co-operation to conserve fish stocks, a plan to incorporate Micmac fishermen into the commerical fishery, and relations with the federal government. Following the presentation is a discussion between Jamieson and the Commissioners regarding fisheries in PEI.

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.

File contains a presentation by John Loftus on behalf of the Action North Recovery Centre. Loftus discusses the challenges his organization (which treats drug and alcohol abuse, as well as family violence cases) deals with in High Level. Foremost among his concerns are a lack of professional staff and resources. Following the presentation is a discussion between Loftus and Commissioners Dussault and Robinson on these issues.

File contains a presentation by John Moore. Moore, a Cree man from the James Bay area, discusses the significance of the Treaties and what he would like to see in the future for Aboriginal people in Canada. Following the presentation Commissioners Robinson, Chartrand, and Blakeney discuss some of the issues raised with Moore.

The file contains a presentation by John Moore. Moore discusses his conviction for murder under a repealed section of the criminal code of Canada, how he is innocent and feels his conviction contradicted his rights as an Aboriginal person, and how he would like to be exonerated. Moore also references several other high profile cases of wrongful conviction in Canada. Following the presentation Commissioner Dussault comments on the issues raised.

File contains a presentation by John Shafer discussing the Canadian government's century-old intent to create policies for the purpose of "extinguishment and assimilation" of Aboriginals in Canada and believes that attitude continues today. He also discusses the harmful effects of water pollution of the watershed that drains into Lake Lil'Wat, British Columbia.

The file contains a presentation by John Steckley. Steckley, Assistant Professor from the Department of Native Studies, University of Sudbury, states that "the Canadian Federal Government go at least as far as the government of the United States in giving Native languages 'official status'" and what he means by this. Commissioners Sillett and Dussault discuss some of the issues raised by Steckley with him.

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.

File contains a presentation by John Turner. Turner presents on behalf of the Mushkegowuk Traditional Harvesters. Turner outlines three reasons why it is becoming increasingly difficult to make a living off the land: the activities of animal rights groups who oppose trapping, the activities of sport hunting groups who oppose subsistence rights to hunt, and the development of hydroelectric projects which negatively impact habitat. Turner then goes on to discuss how Aboriginal people have increasingly adopted European values and look with disdain upon trapping as a career choice.

File contains a presentation by Johnny Epoo, Avataq Cultural Institute. Epoo discusses his organization which was founded in 1981 and its relation to both archaeology in the area and the preservation of the Inuit language. Epoo complains of the extraction of northern artifacts to the south, and a lack of funding for basic operations of his organization. Epoo also discusses traditional Inuit medicine and his organizations efforts to catalogue these techniques.

File contains a presentation by Johnny Naktialuk. Naktialuk recounts the history of his people's experience with Euro-Canadian healthcare, and makes some recommendations on midwifery and other areas of health for contemporary times. Naktialuk also discusses the importance of education in addressing the social problems faced by his people. Following the presentation Commissioner Rene Dussault discusses the lack of trained health care professionals in the region with Naktialuk.

File contains a presentation by Jonathan Rudin. who's a member of Aboriginal Legal Services of Toronto, discusses his organizations work with Aboriginal people in the urban context and some of the concerns facing them. Rudin then goes on to discuss the community based approach to justice that ALST has developed to address some of these issues.

File contains a presentation by Joseph Sagutch. Sagutch discusses his artistic contribution to the Commission in designing its offical logo. Sagutch goes over the cultural significance of the different aspects of the logo in his own view as designer.

The file contains a presentation by Joy Playford of the Federal Business Development Bank serving Aboriginal people. Playford, Director of Business Management Training Services for the Bank in the prairie provinces and Northwest Territories, discusses what the Bank does and gives some examples of "individual efforts that perhaps would be helpful to others who seek to support Aboriginal peoples and their enterprises." Following the presentation Commissioners Chartrand and Wilson discuss some of the issues raised with Playford.

File contains a presentation by Karen Commanda. Commanda, a First Nations librarian from the Nipissing First Nation, discusses funding concerns, discrimination concerns, and allege misappropriation of funds meant for First Nations libraries. Without naming names Commanda asks that the Commission recommend an independent investigation into these concerns. Following the presentation Commissioner Wilson poses questions on some of the issues raised which are answered by community member Reg McCormick.

File contains a presentation by Katherine Fournier, United Church Native Solidarity Circle. Fournier discusses her organizations views on issues facing Aboriginal people including the need to educate non-Aboriginal people about the history of injustice towards their counterparts, the neccessity for the Federal government to deal with land claims and self-governance issues despite the defeat of the Charlottetown Accord via referendum, and that groups like the Solidarity circle can be supportive but not set the agenda: in their view that is something Aboriginal people must do themselves.

File contains a presentation by Katherine Morrisseau and Iris Lauzon of the Ojibway Language Immersion Program for Preschoolers in Winnipeg. The presenters discuss reasons for the decline of Aboriginal languages, their importance, curriculum, and their efforts to teach Ojibway to children. Following the presentation is a discussion with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Jeremiah McKay and Abe Kakepitum of the Keewaytinook Okimakanak/Northern Chiefs Council. McKay introduces Kakepitum who delivers an address on environmental concerns, traditional resource use, self-governance concerns, Treaty agreements, problems with federal and provincial policies, the Charlottetown referendum, health care concerns, and language issues. McKay then concludes the presentation by discussing the organization's written submission, and thanking the Commission.

File contains a presentation by Keith Chief Moon, Mohk-E-Saun Committee, Blood Indian Reserve #148. Moon discusses his people's history, and some of their problems with regard to living conditions.

The file contains a presentation by Keith Chiefmoon on social housing. Chiefmoon discusses racism in the Lethbridge rental market, homelessness, and Aboriginal student's housing needs. Chiefmoon also discusses the exclusion of the disabled from on-reserve housing programs at the Blood Reserve. Chiefmoon makes recommendations regarding emergency housing, the establishment of an urban Indian housing program, the establishment of a student housing program, and the need for Aboriginal representation on the city's Landlord-Tenant Board.

File contains a presentation by Keith Gordon, a Kahnawake Mohawk living in Toronto. His presentation focuses on four points: Canada must exhibit a willingness to be bound by the agreements it vociferously negotiates; Canada must acknowledge through the negotiation process the specific entitlements of Aboriginal peoples and their governments; governments must promote legitimacy to eliminate stereotyping; and all people must utilize the opportunity to promote the evolution of standards.

File contains a presentation by Ken Goodwill of the White Cap First Nation. Goodwill discusses the importance of Treaty and the government's (both Britain and Canada's) obligations to the Dakota people. He discusses the concessions he feels his people have made, and asks that the government deliver the just rights of the Dakota to their people. Following the presentation is a discussion between the Commissioners and previous presenter Calvin McArthur specifically addressing the historical disspossession of his people's reserve land.

File contains a presentation by Ken Harris, Meensganist Housing Society. Harris discusses his organization, a non-profit low-rental organization...not affiliated with any tribal councils or villages. We are actually independent." Harris discusses his organization's activities and associated housing concerns. Harris also discusses his relationship with the government and funding agencies, off-reserve migration of Aboriginal people to Prince Rupert and associated issues, and a series of questions about government policy.

File contains a presentation by Kenneth Emberley. Emberley briefly discusses the Oka Crisis, then presents on the connection between being an administered people and many of the social ills plaguing Aboriginal communities. Emberley then presents a series of ideas on imping the Land Claim process, preserving Aboriginal rights, the need for a whistle-blower's law, and dealing with the legacy of residential schools. The remainder of the presentation deals with world affairs and resource use as the presenter thinks they pertain to the goals of Aboriginal peoples.

File contains a presentation by Kenny St. Jacques. St. Jacques, a political science student from the community, discusses his views on self-governance and the need to end the mode of dependency he views his people as being in. St. Jacques views the lack of a land base as a significant problem holding back Aboriginal people's development of self-governance. Following his presentation are closing remarks for the day's sitting by Commissioners Erasmsu and Robinson, followed by a closing prayer.

File contains a presentation by Kim French. French, a local businessman, discusses his views on on-reserve Casino development at Roseau River, and why he thinks it would be a positive thing for both his community and the First Nation. Following French's comments the Commissioners thank him for his contribution.

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.