History

File contains an individual presentation by Clifford Trapper. Trapper is a Metis man presenting on behalf of his grandfather, a Metis elder of the James Bay area. Trapper's presentation discusses uniqueness of Aboriginal culture and the need for government help with the decline of the traditional economy. It also touches on issues like pollution and self-governance.

File contains a presentation by Dave Barron of the Pacific Metis Federation. Barron discusses the story of his people, their neglect by government, his views on Bill C-31 and how the government has divided Aboriginal peoples starting at the family level. Barron concludes by recommending that "some form of legislation be enacted within the near future to release our people from the bonds of Bill C-31, if they should desire." Following the presentation is a discussion between Barron and Commissioner Erasmus on the ideas raised in the presentation.

File contains a presentation by Dennis McLeod, Presdient of the Stanley Mission Metis Local, and Gabriel Dumont Institute Area Representative.

File contains remarks by Diane Delaronde of the Pas Region, Manitoba Metis Federation. Delaronde welcomes the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples to The Pas, Manitoba on behalf of her organization.

File contains a presentation by Dr. Anne Anderson. Anderson's presentation entitled "The history of the Metis nation." The presentation gives a general overview of Metis history from Anderson's own personal perspective and what she thinks is its relevance.

File contains a presentation by Garth Wallbridge. Wallbridge, a Métis man, presenting as an individual, raises a wide variety of concerns. These include Aboriginal Non-Aboriginal relations, government policy, the Commission itself, educational issues, self-governance, languages, Métis issues, and others. Following the presentation the assembled Commissioners discuss some of the issues raised with Wallbridge.

File contains a presentation by Gerald Thom stating that Metis organizations are finally, in the 1990s, becoming involved in government policymaking. Thom believes that "in order to attain our goals we must support decentralization of powers from the federal and provincial government, and we must have a say on what policies and issues arise through decentralization. He discusses briefly education, language, and employment concerns relating to the Metis. Following the presentation are remarks by the Commissioners.

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 Gloria Mehlmann and Karen Chamone focusing on education as it relates to Indian and Metis peoples. They recommend that Indian and Metis materials must be an integral part of the curriculum; Indian and Metis materials must be presented in all subject areas; and contemporary materials on Indian and Metis people must complement historical material, among other recommendations. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Gordon Carter, member of the Metis Nation. He reiterates comments made by an earlier speaker regarding toxic waste disposal. Carter then acknowledges the historic contribution that Metis people made in the construction of the first buildings in Victoria and Vancouver in the 1700s. He hopes that Metis people will be recognized in the future for their contributions to Aboriginal life.

File contains a presentation by Jack McDonald, Port Alberni Native Council. McDonald discusses what it means to be a Metis in British Columbia, and the challenges that confront his people as well as what he characterizes as an ignorant government and populace when it comes to Metis issues. Following the presentation Commissioner Georges Erasmus discusses some issues of Metis identity in British Columbia with McDonald.

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 Joe Blyan stating that the Commission that all different status groups must meet and determine their courses of action. Blyan says a common vision is necessary when dealing with Aboriginal and Metis groups. Following the presentation are remarks by the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Ken Noskiye focusing on Métis self-government for the eight Métis settlements in Alberta. He states that self-government can only be achieved with proper resources at the local level. Following the presentation is a lengthy question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Larry Desmeules and Sheila Genaille that first details the history of the Métis Nation in Canada. They state that there is "a lack of understanding of the political realities of the Métis Nation and our aspirations as a nation." Desmeules calls for the Commission to establish a round table to deal exclusively with Métis Nation issues. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Leon McAuley, Director, Provincial Metis Housing Authority. McAuley describes the problems facing Metis communities in the North, and advocates a new level of government (a Metis local government) to facilitate self-governance, as well as discusing economic development and a land base. Following the presentation a brief discussion on the definition of the Metis people takes place between Commissioner Chartrand and McAuley.

File contains a presentation by Leonard Morin, Regional Representative, Metis Society of Saskatchewan. Morin gives a demographic overview of northern Saskatchewan, relates some of the issues faced by northerners, then gives a beif overview of Metis history. Morin stresses the importance of gaining a Metis land base, and discusses possibilities for Metis self-governance. Morin then speaks on an issue of importance to his home community of Cumberland House, the construction of a traffic bridge connecting the community with the mainland across the river.

File contains a presentation by Marc Leclair, Spokesperson, Metis National Council. Leclair discusses his organizations participation in the 1992 Canadian Constitutional talks, and its efforts to have the federal responsibility for Metis people recognized alongside the provincial premiers. Leclair also discusses his organizations efforts to form a central registry of descendent's of the historic Metis nation, land and resource concerns, self-governance, and his views on his organization's relations with the Commission and its mandate.

File contains a presentation by Mary Wiegers, President, Provincial Metis Women of Saskatchewan. Wiegers highlights her concerns with the notion of Metis self-governance in Saskatchewan. She is highly critical of how Metis institutions have been functioning in the province, and argues that self-governance as things are currently consituted will lead to abuses by the Metis leadership. Wiegers highlights examples of electoral fraud, and undemocratic behaviour within the Saskatchewan Metis organization.

File contains a presentation by Armand Murray of the La Loche Local of the Metis Society of Saskatchewan. Murray discusses the need for recognition of Aboriginal rights on the part of government, land issues, a lack of capital in the community for utilizing resources, a conflict with the provincial government over Clearwater River park, fisheries issues, forestry issues, tourism and guiding, and related issues. Following the presentation Commissioner Dussault discusses some of the issues raised with Murray.

File contains a presentation made by Senator Vital Morin for the Métis Society of Saskatchewan on the topic of the justice system pertaining to native communities. Also contained are comments and questions from the assembled Commissioners and those of the Commissioner-of-the-Day.

File contains a presentation by Michelle Lang that provides a brief history of the Metis people at Lac La Biche and area. She states that the "missionaries were invited by the Metis to provide both religious instruction and education." But the missionaries were educated as well, as they relied on the Metis for their survival until they learned the ways of their new land. She hopes the Commission can help get Portage La Biche and the Lac La Biche Mission preserved for future generations. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains remarks by Morgan McLeod, Metis Youth of Stanley Mission. McLeod discusses his concerns with drug and alcohol abuse, suicide, child abuse and neglect in his community. He relates how the Metis youth have started a youth centre at Stanley Mission to deal with these problems, but need support on the provincial level to help provide information and recreational facilities.

File contains a presentation by Nelson Sanderson regarding the need to connect Metis youth and the general public with the history and culture of the Metis people. Following the presentation is a discussion with the Commissioners regarding these issues.

File contains a presentation by John Novak of the North Bay Chapter of the Ontario Metis Aboriginal Association (which represents Metis and Non-Status people). Novak discusses the difficulty for his people in obtaining resources, their difference from Status Indian people, a lack of educational assistance, a request for "some kind of structure that we would be able to get our own funding," the desire for a land base, economic concerns, hunting and fishing rights, racism and discrimination concerns, the problem sustaining the organization's locals, and housing concerns.

File contains a presentation by Robert Doucette. Doucette discusses conditions for Metis people within the City of Saskatoon, and Saskatchewan generally. Doucette highlights problems of institutional racism, access to education, ignorance of Aboriginal identity and issues in the general population, migration to urban centres, and related issues. Doucette also discusses the need for a Metis land base and the differences in the way the government addresses Metis and Treaty people's issues.

File contains a presentation by Robert Mercredi of the Metis Society of Saskatchewan. Mercredi discusses his organization, and the problems facing his people. He describes the Metis as Canada's forgotten people, and while offering support for the "Canada clause" of the Constitution stresses the need for the Metis to be recognized on an equitable level with their Indian and Inuit brothers and sisters. He bemoans the lack of a land base for the Metis people of Saskatchewan, and the lack of resources neccessary for basic governmental functioning.

File contains a presentation by Ron Swain of the Southern Ontario Metis and Aboriginal Association focusing on Metis self-government. He provides a brief history of the Metis in Canada. Swain states that the Metis are recognized as Aboriginal people in the Canadian Constitution, but do not have any negotiated rights. He introduces the next speaker, Sheilagh Chief.

File contains an individual presentation by Ron Spencer. Spencer discusses the history of his people and how he thinks Aboriginal people can effectively deal with the government by staying united in the face of outside incursions on traditional lands like Ontario hydro development. Spencer discusses the need to rewrite the Constitution to include Aboriginal peoples and stresses the importance of education.

File contains remarks by Roy Myke, Jim Brady Metis Local Representative. Myke claims that self-governance has to be established from the bottom-up, at the community level. He states that "if the government ever gets serious about self-government, it has got to start at the bottom and not at the top." Following this Commissioners Erasmus and Chartrand have a brief discussion with Myke regarding self-governance.

The file contains a presentation by Sandra Delaronde, President, Metis Women of Manitoba. Delaronde discusses the history of the Metis people, land issues, issues with curricula, the need for rights recognition, social problems, environmental issues, self-governance,and international women's issues. Following the presentation Commissioners Chartrand and Wilson discuss some of the issues raised with Delaronde.

File contains a presentation by Senator Head of the Metis Senate of Manitoba, followed by remarks by Senator Fortunate Guiboche of the same body. Head discusses the need for a level playing field for Metis people, and Guiboche goes on to make a series of remarks and observations on the importance and role of the Royal Commission, as well as his expectations of it. Following this is a wide-ranging discussion between the Metis Senators and the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Stan Sinclair and Brian Sinclair of the Moose Lake Metis Federation. The Sinclairs discuss how they feel that the Metis' aboriginal rights have been suppressed, that government assistance provided is completely inadequate, and that the Metis have lost many of their cultural traditions. Following the presentation is a discussion between Commissioners Chartrand and Blakeney and the two presenters on some of the issues raised in the presentation.

The file contains a presentation by Sydney McKay of the Manitoba Metis Federation (Thompson Region), and Freda Lundmark, Metis Women of Manitoba. Lundmark discusses Metis youth, employment, cultural, recreational, education, Elders, housing, child care, child support, gender and employment, curricula, Aboriginal languages (including Michif, Cree, and Saulteaux), jurisdiction, justice, health, and general concerns of Metis women and youth in Northern Manitoba.

File contains a presentation by spokesperson Mario Paradis, and Rene Boudreault, of the Association des Metis et Indiens hors reserves du Quebec Inc. Paradis and Boudreault discuss the status of non-Status, Métis and off-reserve Status Indians in Quebec. They also address the issue of urbanization, and present a history of their organization and its goals. The assembled Commissioners discuss some of the points raised with them, particularly with regard to eastern Métis identity.

File contains a presentation by Tony Belcourt, Constitutional Advisor, Metis National Council. Belcourt adds some remarks to the previous presentation by Marc Leclair, spokesperson for the Metis National Council. Belcourt asks the Commission to act on behalf of Metis peoples to let their history be known to Canadians, and to have them included as equals under the designation of Aboriginal peoples. Belcourt points out that often Metis people have been disregarded and Aboriginal used as a blanket term for First Nations and Inuit people in general parlance.

File contains remarks by Winston McKay, Metis Addictions Corporation of Saskatchewan. McKay relates some of his own life story and battle with addictions, as well as the larger struggle of northern Metis communities to cope with the destruction of their traditional economy, and transition into dependency on government. McKay discusses how treatment approaches intended for Status Indian and Non-Aboriginal society do not work for his people, and the lack of adequate funding his organization faces.

File contains a presentation on behalf of the Metis Association of the Northwest Territories by Gordon Lennie, Vice-President. Lennie, presenting on behalf of President Gary Bohnet, raises concerns with underrepresentation of Metis peoples in the first round of Royal Commission sittings, as well as Commission composition and funding issues. Following the presentation the assembled Commissioners discuss the issues raised with Lennie.

The file contains a presentation on behalf of the Shuswap Okanagan Metis Association by Greg Mazur and Tim Low. Mazur, Vice-President of the Shuswap Okanagan Metis Organization, discusses the composition of his organization which represents approximately 650 Metis citizens as part of the larger Pacific Metis Federation. Mazur discusses the definition of Metis. Tim Low, Director of the SOMA, delivers a brief history of the Metis Nation.

File contains a presentation by President Clem Paul of the Yellowknife Métis Council. He discusses problems faced by the Northwest Territories Métis generally, and the Yellowknife Métis specifically. He argues that the government has created problems by funding the Dene organizations but not the Métis councils. Paul also discusses rights issues. Following the presentation the assembled Commissioners discuss some of the issues raised with Paul.

File contains a presentation by Woody Lethbridge of the Eagle River Development Association. Lethbridge discusses his concerns about the poor state of Metis-Innu relations in Labrador. Lethbridge discusses economic development concerns in the forestry industry with Commissioner Erasmus. Following this the Commissioners sum up the day's proceedings and adjourn the day's sitting.

File contains opening remarks by Senator Edward Head. Head discusses his Metis origins and gives an overview of his family's story from the time it left St. Norbert, Manitoba, to Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, back to northern Manitoba and his home community of Granville Lake.

File contains opening remarks by Vital Morin of Ile A La Crosse, Saskatchewan. Morin discusses his own life including a stint in World War 2, and his actions in helping to organize the Metis Society of Saskatchewan, how the Metis were overlooked by government, hunting rights, and his hope that the Commission will lead to concrete action on behalf of Metis people.

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 given by Alice Wylie at the Round Table discussion on Metis Issues.

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 given by Cheryl L'Hirondelle at the Round Table discussion on Metis Issues.

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 given by Gloria Contois at the Round Table discussion on Metis Issues.

The Royal Regiment of Canada at Batoche, SK in June 1962. In the background the Roman Catholic Church of St. Antoine de Padou can be seen.

The Royal Regiment of Canada parading in front of the Roman Catholic Church of St. Antoine de Padou at Batoche, SK, June 1962.

Video presentations accompanied by lesson plans for Kindergarten through Grade 12 arranged under the themes of Métis language, culture and traditions, homeland history, governance, and the Métis in Alberta.

Various documents from the Saskatchewan Association of Human Rights from the early 1970s. Includes pamphlets, a book listing ethnic organizations, and a quantitative study of representations of First Nations in Saskatchewan school texts.