File contains a presentation by Garnet Cumigant detailing the history of the city of Kenora, Ontario.

File contains an individual presentation by Moses Tom that touches on a number of issues, including elder care and inadequate child and family services programs. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains opening remarks by Commissioner Georges Erasmus delivered at the hearing of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at La Ronge, Saskatchewan on Thursday May 28, 1992. Erasmus intorduces the Commission and its mandate to the people in attendance, and discusses a wide range of Aboriginal issues as well as his hopes that the Commission will be an excercise in developing positive solutions to issues rather than just another study.

This file contains a transcript of a sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at The Citadel Inn, Ottawa, Ontario. This is an overview of Discussion Paper No. 4, regarding situations where Metis and other Aboriginal people in urban settings are given the opportunity to create and administer their own education systems, presented by Louis Lamothe.

The file contains a presentation by Al Adams, Deputy Mayor, City of Thompson. Deputy Mayor Adams welcomes the Commission to Thompson, then discusses its' demographic and economic composition, funding concerns, co-operation with Aboriginal communities, taxation issues, and resource development. Following the presentation Commissioners Wilson and Chartrand discuss some of the issues raised with Adams.

The file contains a presentation by Amber Flett. Flett is a Cree-Ojibway student at Catholic Central School in Lethbridge, Alberta. Flett discusses her experiences with loss of culture and racism in a mixed-culture school setting. Flett discusses how she found a support network in school when she moved to Alberta, and stresses that schools need more Native involvement programs.

File contains a presentation by Arnold Blackstar, Battlefords Indian and Metis Friendship Centre. Blackstar presents a letter on behalf of the President of the Friendship Centre who was unable to be in attendance which welcomes the Commission and outlines what the Friendship Centre does in the Battlefords. Following that, Blackstar, who is the Centre's youth co-ordinator, presents on some of the issues youth programming faces, particularly a lack of stable and adequate funding. Blackstar also discusses some of the challenges faced by Aboriginal youth in post-secondary education.

File contains a presentation by Barrie Conkin, Mayor, City of North Battleford. Conkin discusses the issues facing municipalities with regard to increased urban Aboriginal populations, urban reserve designation, treaty land entitlements, and general self-governance issues. Conkin states that more consultation is needed with municipal governments and citizens at the grassroots level (rather than provincial and federal) in order to put workable self-government arrangements in place. Following the presentation is a discussion between Conkin and Commissioners Erasmus and Blakeney on these issues.

File contains a presentation by Barry Kennedy. Kennedy, a member of the First Nations Council of Moose Jaw, discusses that organization's history and activities in the economic and social spheres. Kennedy also discusses his organizations relations with the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations and the Metis Society of Saskatchewan.

File contains a presentation by Bernd Christmas, Chairman, Native Canadian Centre of Toronto Self-Government Committee. Christmas discusses the historical phenomenon of Aboriginal migration to urban areas, the establishment of clubs and their historical evolution into Friendship Centres, and the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto. Christmas discusses his organizations views on urban self-governance, and the work they have done in this area. Following the presentation is a discussion between Christmas and Commissioners Blakeney and Erasmus, followed by the closing of the days proceedings.

File contains a presentation by Bernice Dubec that recommends that the federal and provincial governments develop a more proactive strategy in addressing the needs of Aboriginal people through direct transfer payments to urban councils that would facilitate an effective and efficient community development process. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Chairperson Brenda Bernhardt-McNabb of the Northwest Territories Council of Friendship Centres. Bernhardt-McNabb discusses the role of her organization which is to "assist those centres who may have difficulty in funding, managements, role and responsibilities of boards and staff, and so forth" at the territorial level. Bernhardt-McNabb discusses some of the funding challenges faced by Northwest Territories Friendship Centres.

The file contains a presentation by Bridget Elliott and Martha Mackenzie. Elliott and Mackenzie, representing the Sudbury Anishnawbaequek, discuss the relationship between Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal people with respect to educational institutions and curricula, youth issues, women's issues, and the N'Swakamok Native Friendship Centre in Sudbury. During the presentation Commissioners Dussault and Sillett discuss some of the issues raised with the two presenters.

File contains a presentation by Cheryl Lynn Hagan-Deschamps of the Tawaak Housing Association. Hagan-Deschamps discusses her organizations work in providing urban Aboriginal housing, and recommends that Aboriginal organizations be exempted from government cutbacks to housing funds going on at the time. Following the presentation the assembled Commissioners discuss Aboriginal housing and funding concerns with Hagan-Deschamps.

File contains a presentation by Chris Axworthy relating to his constituency that encompasses a large Aboriginal population made up of status Indians living off-reserve, as well as non-status Indians and Metis people. He is aware of the feeling of disfranchisement of urban Aboriginal people, the need for self-government, and for more funding for Aboriginal post-secondary education. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation Christie Clifton, North Coast Tribal Council Education Centre. Clifton discusses her centre's mandate and operations serving Haida, Tsimshian, and Nisga'a people. Clifton discusses its' range of post-secondary programs, its' success in the community, and its' frustration with current funding arrangements. Following the presentation Commissioners Chartrand and Wilson discuss some of the issues raised with Clifton.

File contains a presentation by Christine Gibson, Co-ordinator fo the Mi'kmaq Child Development Project. Gibson discusses the general child care situation in Canada, in Nova Scotia, and amongst Aboriginal Canadians. Gibson then discusses the specific operation of her project and makes a variety of recommendations for its enhancement. Following the presentation Commissioners Erasmus and Robinson discuss the project and related child care issues with Gibson.

File contains a presentation on behalf of the Merritt City Council by Councillor Rick Typusiak. He welcomes the Commission to Merritt. Following this, he delivers a presentation discussing the relations between First Nations and municipal governments, and the City's views and concerns regarding Aboriginal self-government. Typusiak discusses economic issues, and expresses the desire of the Council that the Department of Indian Affairs and the Indian Act both be abolished. Following the presentation Commissioners Dussault and Erasmus thank Typusiak and make some comments on his presentation.

File contains a presentation by Cliff Wright. Following an introduction by facilitator Murray Hamilton, an employee of the Gabriel Dumont Institute, Wright discusses his role as Treaty Commissioner in Saskatchewan and what that entails. Wright also discusses land allocation practices in in the province.

File contains a presentation by Colleen Wassegijig and Simon Paul. Wassegijig discusses the history of Aboriginal peoples in Canada with respect to formal education systems, and some of the problems that has created which now must be overcome. Simon Paul, a Dene man originally from Northern Saskatchewan, discusses Aboriginal education programs in Scarborough, Ontario for First Nations and Métis residents.

The file contains a presentation by David Chartrand and Pat Harper of the Manitoba Metis Federation. Chartrand and Harper, representing the Winnipeg Region of the Federation, discuss a brief history of their organization as an urban based entity, Metis membership's issues from an urban perspective, self-determination and self-governance in an urban setting, education and training issues, employment issues, economic development issues, family issues, cultural issues, child care, and cultural issues.

File contains a presentation by David Chartrand, President of the National Association of Friendship Centres, with comments by Terry and Tom Doxidurn, executive director and Vice-President, respectively, of said organization.

File contains a presentation by David Newhouse. Newhouse, a professor of Native Studies at Trent University, delivers a presentation highlighting six ways that he thinks Aboriginal society is changing: 1) urbanization, 2) "retraditionalization", 3) institutionalization, 4) the process of self-government, 5) cultural identity reinforcement, and 6) textual transformation. Newhouse elaborates on these sociological concepts, and then discusses their implications with Commissioners Blakeney, Wilson, Sillet, and Harper.

File contains a presentation by Debra Alvisatos, a Mohawk woman and executive director of the Fredericton Native Friendship Centre. Alvisatos presentations deals with her organization whose purpose is to help Aboriginal people (the majority of whom are Micmac and Maliseet) to adjust to urban life. She discusses how urban Aboriginal people have been ignored in the past, and the need to both consult with them and define their rights in order to facilitate self-governance and effective administration.

File contains a presentation by Della Maguire, Drug and Alcohol Counsellor at the MicMac Native Friendship Centre. Maguire makes a series of recommendations to the Commission for increased funding, staffing, and assistance. Following Maguire's presentation Commissioners Erasmus and Robinson discuss some of the issues raised with her.

This file contains a presentation by Doris Ronnenberg and Richard Long focusing on practical models for the financing of urban self-government, including delivery of services to Alberta off-reserve Aboriginal people. They state that an Aboriginal government should be respected as a form of government, just like that provincial and federal governments. The speakers will submit a written presentation to the Commission at a later date. A brief question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.

File contains a presentation by Dorothy Betz, President of the Ke Ki Nan Centre. Presenting alongside Dorothy is Claire Ross, Property manager of the Ke Ki Nan Centre. The Centre was the first urban Aboriginal senior's home of its kind in Canada, and the presenters talk about its establishment and goals. Some comments are also made by the Commissioners regarding the Centre.

File contains a presentation by Earl Magnusson, Director of Urban Development, Federation of Saskatchewan Indians. Magnusson speaks on the issues facing urban Aboriginal people in Saskatchewan. He discusses Treaty rights, self-governance, and municipal service delivery. Following the presentation is a discussion between Magnusson and Commissioners Wilson, Chartrand, and Erasmus on these issues as well as the "portability" of Aboriginal rights.

This file contains a presentation by Edith Cloutier, Ida Labillois-Williams, Louis Bordeleau and Roseanne Petifuay relating to problems encountered by the Friendship Centre movement as it seeks to assist urban Aboriginals. The Centres have developed a significant and unique expertise that could help in establishing self-government mechanisms in the urban setting.

File contains a presentation by Eric Robinson, President of the Aboriginal Council of Winnipeg. Robinson discusses his organizations purpose, and mainly focuses on the problems facing the urban Status and Treaty people in Winnipeg, and across Canada. He stresses the need for the Federal government to take action on behalf of Treaty people who live off reserve to alleviate poverty, discrimination, and lack of access to services. Following the presentation, Robinson introduces Mary Guilbeault's (also fo the Aboriginal Council of Winnipeg) presentation.

File contains a presentation by Erminio Pucci of the City of Prince Rupert. Pucci, presenting on behalf of the Mayor and City Council, discusses British Columbia land claims negotiations and the city's stance on them. Following the presentation Commissioners Paul Chartrand and Bertha Wilson discuss land claims negotiations in British Columbia with Pucci.

File contains a presentation by Gerri Collins, Second Vice-Chairman, British Columbia Association of Friendship Centres. She introduces Wilfred Price and Wally Samuel, members of the executive of the British Columbia Association of Friendship Centres. Collins gives a brief history of the Canadian Friendship Centre movement. She questions the validity of holding discussions around urban Aboriginal self-government without the involvement of the BC Association of Friendship Centres, the only urban Aboriginal organization which has a mechanism in place already.

File contains a presentation by Gloria Christmas, Native Justice Court Worker. Christmas, after a brief description of her job, makes a series of recommendations to the Commission on hiring Aboriginal interpreters, Aboriginal court workers, and Aboriginal corrections personnel, in the justice system.

This file consists of a presentation by Gus Ashawasega and Judi Hall focusing on housing for Aboriginals in Metropolitan Toronto. The Native Men's Residence is one of five urban Aboriginal housing organizations in Toronto perspective on Aboriginal housing in Toronto. Housing is required for families, singles, homeless, two-spirited peoples, seniors and the disabled. The federal government announced as of 1 January 1993 that new funding commitments for urban Aboriginal housing initiatives would no longer be provided.

File contains a presentation by J. Spencer Rowe. Rowe makes an individual presentation on cultural issues. Rowe discusses the importance of Aboriginal language education, and how he views spirituality as the path forward for Aboriginal peoples but that this root is difficult as they have become seperated from their lands.

File contains a presentation by Jack Smith. Smith is a sessional lecturer with the department of Native Studies at the University of Saskatchewan. Smith discusses off reserve and urban status Indian's concerns, primarily with regard to Treaty Land Entitlement and participation in Band politics. Smith also discusses Aboriginal input into the University of Saskatchewan's policies.

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.

This file contains a presentation by Jan Reimer, Mayor of Edmonton, Alberta, who first provides the Commissioners with a recent issue of a publication titled Tracking the Trends. The publication provides an overview of socio-demographic information and monitors significant trends that will affect the delivery of human services in Edmonton. A recent issue featured Edmonton's Aboriginal population. Reimer lists a number of Aboriginal groups and organizations in Edmonton who attempt to help Aboriginals adjust to urban life and states that more work needs to be done.

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 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 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 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.

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.

The file contains a presentation by Larry Soldier, Ma-Mow-We-Tak Friendship Centre. Soldier discusses the background of the Friendship Centre, its' operations, and some of its' organizational history. Amongst the issues Soldier raises are race relations; elder's issues; recreation and youth issues; cultural programming; self-governance; housing; addictions; education; and service delivery. Following the presentation Commissioners Wilson and Chartrand discuss some of the issues raised with Soldier.

File contains a presentation by LaShelle Brant of the First Peoples Fund of Toronto. Brant discusses her organization's origins and its accomplishments to date. The fund is intended to provide credit for Aboriginal entrepreneurs. Following the presentation is a discussion between Brant and Commissioners Blakeney and Wilson on business development issues.

This file contains a portion of a transcript of a sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at Hotel Saskatchewan, Regina, Saskatchewan. This portion of the Commission includes a presentation by Lorna Standingready concerning the access to higher education by the Aboriginal Community and Urban Indian rights. Questions from the assembled commissioners are also present.

The file contains a presentation by Margaret Jackson. Jackson discusses family support, particularly with reference to single mothers, and complications arising from Indian Act restrictions on the paying of child support by fathers.

File contains a presentation Mary Guilbeault, Vice-Chairperson, Aboriginal Council of Winnipeg. The presentation contains some personal background on Guilbeault and her experiences as an Aboriginal woman and community/political leader in Winnipeg. She raises a number of issues, most importantly the neccessity to recognize Treaty Rights and provide services regardless of geographic location. Following the presentation is a brief discussion with the Commissioners regarding both this presentation and Eric Robinson's similarly themed one on urban Aboriginal issues in Winnipeg.

File contains a presentation by Mayor Pat McMahon. McMahon discusses a variety of concerns including urban Aboriginal issues generally, municipal governance issues, education, economic development, justice issues, family violence, self-governance, and the Constitution. Following the presentation the assembled Commissioners discuss some of the issues raised with McMahon.

File contains a presentation by Betty Thomas and Jean Clayton of the Metro United Way (Halifax). Thomas and Clayton discuss their organizational history and their Multicultralism/Anti-Racism Program. Following the presentation Commissioners Erasmus discusses the program with them.