Oral History

File contains presentations by Mary John Sr., Ernie John, Celina John and Scott McIntosh focusing on working with the Aboriginal youth of the Stoney Creek area in teaching traditions and folklore. The Society has also attempted to encourage economic development with trapping and ranching on the First Nations but has encountered roadblocks due to a lack of funding from the federal government. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Teressa Nahanee. She discusses her own personal and professional background, then delivers a presentation on the different effects of the legal system on Aboriginal people based on gender. Nahanee offers a critique of patriarchy in the legal system, and in Aboriginal communities.

The file contains a part of a transcript of a portion of a sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at The Fern Resort, Orillia, Ontario. This part includes a presentation by Isadore Talouse concerning the Retention of Native languages.

This file contains a Wampum Belt Reading by Jake Thomas. He states that the belt he uses is a replica of the original Belts located at the Six Nations of the Grand River in Ontario, and at Onondaga Reservation near Syracuse, New York. Wampum belts are brought out for ceremonies and readings.

This file contains a transcript of a sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at The Citadel Inn, Ottawa, Ontario. This is a Summary of the Round Table Sessions by Dr. Guy Lavallee.

This file contains a Wampum Belt Reading by Chief Oren Lyons that continues with the same topics discussed by Jake Thomas, the previous presenter who also did a Wampum Belt Reading. Lyons believes that the Commission's mandate should be focused on peace between all First Nations and non-Aboriginal people.

This file contains a Wampum Belt Reading by Jake Thomas. He states that the belt he uses is a replica of the original Belts located at the Six Nations of the Grand River in Ontario, and at Onondaga Reservation near Syracuse, New York. Wampum belts are brought out for ceremonies and readings.

An interview with Rufus Goodstriker, born in 1924 on the Blood Indian Reserve and attended a residential school. He tells of the origins and significance of the transfer of Indian names, especially within his own family. He also talks about Indian medicine and the power of faith; the Indian spiritual way vs. the Western technological way;of herbs, animal spirits, sweat bath in healing etc.

An interview where Rufus Goodstriker tells of his experiences as a boxing champion, rodeo cowboy and rodeo clown (1940s and 1950s).

Describes local recollections of various British explorers in the Canadian Arctic in the 19th century.

Discusses his experiences in World War I.

The entire document deals with trapping.

Discusses his working life.

Examines hidden cultural patterns, establishing the expression of historical thought, in Native Alaskan narratives which describe first contact with Russians. Entire issue on one PDF. To access article, scroll down to appropriate page.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Arizona State University, 2011.

Argues that circles found in North Norway are the same as those found in the forest lands of northern Sweden.

Comments on a recent archaeological find which provides evidence of a settlement based on sealing indicating a precursor to herding society. Presentation from: Proceedings of the Third Northern Research Forum: The Resilient North: Human Responses to Global Change, Yellowknife, NWT, 2004.

Presents overview of several different clown societies. Chapter 13 in book: The Sacred: Ways of Knowledge, Sources of Life by Peggy V. Beck.

Advocates the importance of translating sacred places into spatial-temporal propositions.

Consists of an interview in which George First Rider describes various ceremonial songs

Nine elders in discussion at Saddle Lake Reserve. They talk about aspects of life before contact with whites, Treaty #6, the history of amalgamations and land sales, and a traditional story of a boy raised by buffalo.

Discussion of various topics: traditional life and the changes brought about by the treaties; Crowfoot and the taking of Treaty 7; alcohol, and the problems it has brought; the surrender of reserve land.

The former chief of the Beaver Lake Reserve tells what he knows of the history of the reserve.

Consists of an interview where Sam Swimmer (Yahya-num) gives a very brief account of 'bad' medicine.

Both sides of this tape are in the Cree language and have not as yet been translated.Two interviews dates June 14 & July 1, 1973 and July 10, 1973

Book review of: The Same as Yesterday: The Lillooet Chronicle the Theft of Their Lands and Resources by Joanne Terry-Drake.

He gives a description of the difficulties encountered on reserves and the efforts made to combat them.

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.

He gives a description of raising and educating children; tells a story of a spirit helping two children; and tells another story used in the teaching of children.

He discusses the mythical origins of the Dakota Sioux value system.

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

Discusses problems of non-status Indians and Sandy Jacobs' life as a trapper.

Observations made by D.G. Mandelbaum of the Sapohtowan dance.

Highlights memories of her childhood.

A vague account of an unidentified Sarcee prophet.

Consists of a story of a Sarcee creation myth.

Case studies of Chiefs Poundmaker and Big Bear compiled by Blair Stonechild using oral history and original source materials. A curriculum intended to "enable the student to review the circumstances surrounding Indian involvement in the Resistance and to arrive at his or her own conclusions about the culpability of the Indian people."

Satsan (Herb George), President of the National Centre for First Nations Governance, speaks at the Symposium on Reconciliation in Toronto, Ontario, February 2011. Duration: 4:47. Part 4 of 5.

Elders discuss: loss of respect for elders; loss of traditions; problems with younger generation; alcohol-related problems; traditional hunting and trapping lifestyle.Story of woman who feigned pregnancy in order to get more money.

Discussion of the problem of alcohol abuse among native peoples. Raising children: comparison with earlier days. Establishment of the Shesheep, Sakimay and MuscowpetungReserves. Many lectures about their histories and their hopes for the future of their people.

Elders at a workshop relate how they received their Indian names.

Elders discuss: problems for present day Indians including alcoholism; failure to educate the young in traditional ways; influence of white education.

Discusses the sacred obligations of the Wixárika people and the importance of artwork to tell stories.

Shows how storytelling was used as a survival strategy by Native consultant Isabel Meadows.

Discusses the linguistic evidence of a link between the Athabascan and the Sino-Tibetan people.

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

Book reviews of: Seeking Racial Justice by Jack Horner. Black and White Together by Sue Taffe. Reviews located by scrolling to page 161.

Discusses Inuit interpretations of time and history and attributes contemporary differences between Canada and Greenland to different experiences since contact.