File contains a presentation by Director Gordon King of the Micmac Native Friendship Centre (Halifax, NS). King discusses the role Friendship Centres play in communities, their non-political nature, and the success they have had working with urban Aboriginal populations. King introduces the days presenters from the Friendship Centre and states to the Commissioners that they "have the powers to start the process for change to ensure a better life for Aboriginal peoples residing in urban areas.

File contains a presentation by Crisis Intervention Officer Marie Francis of the Micmac Native Friendship Centre (Halifax, NS). Francis discusses the financial difficulties faced by the Status Indian population in Canada who lives off reserve, and states that Bands often do not live up to their fiduciary obligations to off-reserve people.

File contains a presentation by Mr. Rheal Boudrias. Boudrias, outgoing President of the Native Alliance of Quebec, discusses his own past, the way Aboriginal people have been treated in his region, the struggles of off-reserve populations, resource and economic development, housing, culture, racism and discrimination, and rights. Following the presentation the assembled Commissioners discuss some of the issues raised with Boudrias.

File contains a presentation by Bill Butler and Lynn Bennett of the North Bay Indian Friendship Centre. The presenters discuss housing, employment, child care, and other urban issues. Bennett also discusses the Low Income People's Involvement agency, or LIPI, and some of the advocacy work it does. Following the presentation Butler and Lynn discuss some of the issues raised with Commissioners Wilson and Sillett.

File contains a presentation by the Northwest Urban Aboriginal Society of Prince Rupert. Vern Brown, President of the Prince Rupert Local of the Council of Haida Nations introduces his fellow presenters John Stewart, Bill Wright, and Fred Anderson. Brown discusses the urban Aboriginal population in Prince Rupert, its' demographic make-up, educational and language concerns, the need for facilities and resources, land claims issues, housing issues, seniors issues, disabled people's issues, health issues, and general urban and off-reserve concerns.

File contains a presentation by Pat Harper, representative of Metis Women of Manitoba. The topics she covers include representation, housing, education and training, economic development, family services and culture. Following this is a discussion between Harper and the Commissioners on the topics covered.

File contains a presentation by Paul Hogan. Hogan discusses his personal views on a variety of issues facing Aboriginal people. These include education, urban issues, self-governance, governmental relations, land rights, language concerns, and the Indian Act. Following Hogan's presentation Commissioners Erasmus and Chartrand discuss some of the issues raised with him.

File contains a presentation by Peter Efimoff. Efimoff, a student at Prince Rupert Senior School, discusses his personal views on Aboriginal culture, languages, and relations with other cultures.

File contains a presentation by Charlie Thompson, President of hte Port Alberni Friendship Centre. Thompson tells the history of his people, the problems caused by colonialism and the government's approach, his personal experience with residential schools, some issues of self-governance, and the story of his particular Friendship Centre. Following the presentation is a discussion between Thompson and Commissioners Erasmus and Robinson on the challenges facing urban Aboriginals.

File contains a presentation by Richard Chaske, President of the Manitoba Association of Friendship Centres. He discusses the history and role of Friendship Centres in assisting urban aboriginal peoples in Manitoba, believing that more government resources should be available to implement programs to ease the transition from reserve life to urban life. Commissioners Allan Blakeney and Paul Chartrand provide questions and comments.

File contains a presentation by Richard Long that examines concerns of the off-reserve Aboriginal person. Long states that off-reserve Aboriginal persons feel they have no political or financial power and he questions who will govern urban Aboriginals in the larger centres. He introduces Nora Houle, representative of the Native Council of Canada Board of Directors.

File contains a presentation by RMP (Ron Momogeeshick Peters), an Ojibwa man, relates his personal life story including relationship difficulties and the struggles he has faced in his life.

The file contains a presentation by Roger Jones. Jones, a member of the Shawanaga First Nation, discusses "solutions and recommendations for self-government, exercising our inherent right and he will also discuss the barriers and resolutions." In doing so Jones discusses the Ojibwa worldview and Canada's obligations to his people. Following the presentation Commissioners Dussault and Sillett discuss the issues raised with Jones.

This file contains a presentation by Ron George and Bob Groves focusing on self-determination for Aboriginal peoples in Canada's larger urban centres. The presenters state that nearly half of Canada's Aboriginal peoples live in large urban centres and feel that the Indian Act has left out people who do not live on reserves. Their group was involved in the Royal Commission's National Round Table on urban issues last year and the presenters state their presentation reinforces their concerns from last year's Round Table.

File contains a presentation by Ronnie Leah, Sociology Professor at the University of Lethbridge. Leah discusses research she performed in the community which highlights the experience of Aboriginal women in the Lethbridge area in terms of systemic racism they face in their daily lives. Leah discusses her methodology, findings, and some ways in which she thinks the problems of racism in the community can be addressed.

File contains a presentation by Sandra Green, First Nations Women's Group. Green, a member of the Haida Nation and Eagle Clan, discusses the mandate and issues of the First Nations Women's Group of Prince Rupert. Their mandate is to "preserve the First Nations family in a healthy and positive way" and their issues include "social issues of family violence, alcohol and drug abuse, sexual abuse" AIDS, and high youth mortality generally. Green goes on to highlight a number of root causes of these problems, and recommend solutions to the Commission.

File contains a presentation by Mayor Stephen Thorlakson of Fort St. John, British Columbia. Thorkalson extends a welcome on behalf of the City of Fort St. John to the Commission, and makes some comments on the City's history as well as his hopes for the Commission. Following his presentation the assembled Commissioners question Thorlakson on a number of municipal issues including affirmative action programs, and Aboriginal representation on City Council.

The file contains a presentation by Superintendent Brian Krambl, City of Winnipeg Police Department. Krambl discusses the Police services efforts to date regarding employment equity, cultural education, and general policing issues. Following the presentation Commissioners Chartrand and Wilson discuss some of the issues raised with Krambl.

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 the City of Quebec. Participants include Deputy Mayor Claude Cantin, and Reginald Gravel of the City Planning Department. Cantin delivers a detailed presentation on the relations between Aboriginal and Quebec societies, Canadian municipalities and Aboriginal governments, and the specific relations between Quebec City and the Huron-Wendat Nation. A host of issues are covered including racism and discrimination, ignorance of culture, economic development, the need for jurisdictional clarity, the importance of history in education, and related topics.

File contains a presentation by Marcel Blouin, Chief Administrative Officer of the City of Sept-Iles. He apologizes for the absence of the Mayor, Jean-Marc Dion, and states that he will submit a written report to the Commission. Following his statement Commissioner Dussault requests that Blouin convey the message to the Mayor that they are very interested in hearing about the experiences of municipalities which have direct and long relationships with reserves within or near their boundaries such as Sept-Iles.

File contains a presentation by Shelley Nitikman, President of the Musqueam/Salish Park Residents' Association. The Association is a non-profit society of non-Aboriginal leaseholders who live on land that was surrendered for lease by the Musqueam Indian Band near the City of Vancouver. Nitikman discusses a variety of taxation and jurisdictional concerns which require legislative clarity, and protests that the people represented by her group are living under a situation of taxation without representation.

File contains a presentation by Louis Bordeleau of the Native Aid and Friendship Centre of Senneterre. Bordeleau discusses the operations of his friendship centre which deals with support to drug addicts, help for the disadvantaged, liaison services in education and health care, organization of recreational activities, inter-ethnic awareness-raising, participation in socio-economic development, and the people they service who come from the Cree (50 percent), Algonquin (28 percent), and Atikamekw (22 percent) cultural backgrounds.

The file contains a presentation by the Nisga'a First Nation by Herbert Morven, Reg Percival, Peter Squires, and Tommy Dennis. Herbert Morven introduces the other presenters; Reg Percival speaks on behalf of the Gitlakdamix Band Council and the Tribal Council, Peter Squires speaks on behlaf of the Health Board, and Tommy Dennis makes a presentation on behalf of the Nisga'a Nation's urban locals.

File contains a presentation by Laura Wynn, Executive Director of the Nishnawbe-Gamik Friendship Centre. Wynn discusses the Friendship Centre itself in terms of funding and service arrangements, and delivers their position on issues of land claims, self-governance, urban issues, and health issues. Following the presentation the assembled Commissioners discuss some of these issues with Wynn.

File contains a presentation by the Regroupement des Montagnais hors reserve de Sept-Iles/Maliotenam. Presenter Raymond Hamilton accompanied by Raymond Mainville, and Merilda St-Onge, presents a short history of the movement which seeks to represent off-reserve Indians who were registered with the Department of Indian Affairs since 1985. Hamilton discusses the lack of assistance for his people, education, health, housing, and other concerns.

The file contains a presentation by the Sudbury Youth Group. Presenters Adrea Chusan, Adrian Abel, Lana Perrin, Steven Hall, Mark Seabrook, and Wasayabeniquoi Dishnikas. The presenters discuss educational, addictions, suicide, recreation, employment, parental support, and general youth issues. Commissioners Dussault and Sillett discuss some of the issues raised with the presenters.

File contains a presentation on behalf of the Val d'Or Friendship Centre by Executive Director Edith Cloutier, Vice-President Lucy Louttit, Council Member Johanne Lacasse, and Secretary Alain Kistabish. The representatives discuss urbanization amongst Aboriginal peoples in the area, research their organization has conducted amongst these peoples (including Algonquin, Inuit, Metis, and Cree respondents), service delivery, self-governance in the urban context, building relations with the non-Aboriginal community and other matters.

File contains a presentation by Theresa Dust of the Muskeg Lake First Nation. Dust discusses the creation of an urban reserve in Saskatoon as a result of the Treaty Land Entitlement Process, and associated issues.

File contains a presentation by Vern Douglas and Ken Richard of Native Child and Family Services. Douglas discusses the history of the organization in Toronto, and how it came about as a grassroots organization amongst Aboriginal people who had been victims of the Child Welfare system. He discusses the mandate of the organization and the composition of its board which is balanced between several Aboriginal groups. Ken Richards discusses the services the organization provides for Aboriginal children and families, and some of the data involved.

File contains a presentation by Vern Harper. Harper discusses some of his views on Aboriginal people's place within Canadian society, and on artistic and cultural concerns. Harper also relates some of his own personal life story.

The file contains a presentation by Wayne Helgason and Linda Keeper, Indian and Metis Friendship Centre of Winnipeg. Helgason, President of the Centre, and Keeper, a Board member, discuss the history and composition of the Friendship Centre, program and service delivery, Aboriginal urbanization issues, federal-provincial funding disputes, self-determination, and views on the Commission and its' work. Following the presentation Commissioners Wilson and Chartrand discuss some of the issues raised with the two presenters.

File contains a presentation by Wayne Helgason, Director, Mamawewitchta Tonta Centre. Helgason discusses his organization in Winnipeg and its mandate to provide Aboriginal people with child and family services, as well as some of the issues he has encountered in such a capacity over the years. Following the presentation is a discussion with the Commissioners regarding both his and Marilyn Fontaine's presentations.

This file contains a transcript of a part of a portion of a sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at Vancouver, British Columbia. This part includes presentation for the Louis Riel Metis Association by Tom Lalonde, Lyle Letendre, Fraser Hall and Derwin Calliou concerning rural and urban housing for the Aboriginal community. Questions from the assembled Commissioners follow the presentation.

This file contains a transcript of a part of a portion of a sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at Vancouver, British Columbia. This part includes presentation for the National Aboriginal Housing Committee by Matthew Stewart and Robin Henry concerning rural and urban housing for the Aboriginal community. Questions from the assembled Commissioners follow the presentation.

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 of the Regina Chamber of Commerce given by Bill McFarlane concerned with the economic development on the Aboriginal Community in Regina.

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 of the Regina Friendship Centre and Urban Indians of Regina given by Gordon Westeste concerned with the distribution of social services to the Aboriginal Community in Regina.

This file contains a transcript of a part of a portion of a sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at Prince George, British Columbia. This part includes a presentation of the Central Interior Native Health Society by Harold Morin concerning health needs in the Aboriginal community. Questions from the assembled Commissioners follow.

File contains a presentation by Curtis Hopkins on behalf of the Can-Am Indian Friendship Centre. Hopkins discusses urban and cultural concerns as they pertain to friendship centres. Hopkins also discusses language, criminal justice, and education issues. Following the presentation Commissioners Erasmus and Chartrand discuss some of the issues raised with Hopkins.

The file contains a presentation on behalf of the Interior Indian Friendship Society by Executive Director Ruth Williams. Williams discusses the organizational structure of the Friendship Centre, its funding, the demographic situation in Kamloops, and some of the issues facing urban Aboriginal populations. Williams also makes a series of recommendations to the Commission with respect to Friendship Centres and urban Aboriginal concerns generally in the economic, social, and cultural spheres. Following the presentation Commissioner Mary Sillett discusses some of the issues raised with Williams.

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.

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 Frank Sutherland, Valerie Monague and Richard "Too Much Lasagna" Cottrell concerning the Housing situation on and off reserves in the Aboriginal Community.

This file contains a transcript of a portion of a sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at Vancouver, British Columbia. This portion includes presentations made by Lizabeth Hall on adoption and reunification, Sherry Small on Bill C-31 and rights of Aboriginals under the Indian Act and Dennis Fletcher on B.C. Native Housing. Also included are questions from the assembled commissioners Co-Chair George Erasmus and Viola Robinson.

File contains a presentation by Tom Dockstader, N'Amerind Friendship Centre. Dockstader discusses N'Amerind's history as one of the oldest Friendship Centres in Canada. Dockstader discusses the mandate and goals of the Centre. Dockstader delivers comments on four areas of interest to the Commission: healing, self-determination, self-government, and relationships between natives and non-natives. Following the presentation the assembled Commissioners discuss some of the issues raised with Dockstader, after which the Commission conclude's its' sitting for the day.

File contains a round table discussion on urban Aboriginal concerns with Bruce Yacatto, Isabel Bassett, Michael Bliss, Janet Maher, Susan Eng, Colleen Wassegijig, and Commissioners Blakeney, Harper, Sillet, and Wilson. The discussion incorporates a wide variety of issue relating to urban Aboriginal peoples including education, social services, community policing, and governance 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 by Doug Vivier at the Round Table discussion on Addictions.

This file contains a transcript of a sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at The Citadel Inn, Ottawa, Ontario. This is a Round Table Session on Metis and other Aboriginal Perspectives in Urban Settings on Education. Participating in the session are Elder Noel Knockwood, John Dorion, Brenda Neilson, Gloria Anderson, Cindy Ziorio, Philippe Mailhot, Audreen Hourie, Dianne Cooley, Louis Lamothe, Bonnie Laing and Ron George. Comments from the floor were made by Sheila Genaille, Sandra Delaronde, Rose-Alma McDonald-Jacobs and Ruth Norton.

This file contains the second part of a presentation by Frank Palmater relating to the Royal Commission's touchstones of healing. Palmater's group agrees with the Commission's position on healing and the group also "advances the notion that the spiritual, emotional and physical well-being of Aboriginal communities and nations must occur simultaneously with advancements in the well-being of the individual.

The file contains a second presentation by Dave White (for the first see "presentation by Dave White in Volume 1 of this sitting of the Commission, on this site). White, speaking as an individual addresses topics of concern to urban Aboriginal people. Included in his discussion are issues such as demographics in Sudbury, rights issues in the urban context, employment and government programs, co-operative and affordable housing programs, student issues, and justice issues in the urban and off-reserve settings.