Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Aboriginal Peoples
Issue 11 - Minutes of Proceedings
EDMONTON, ALBERTA, Thursday, October 7, 2010
(22)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples met this day at 9:02 a.m., in the Westin Edmonton Hotel, in the Strathcona Room, the chair, the Honourable Gerry St. Germain, P.C., presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Dyck, Hubley, Poirier, Raine, Sibbeston and St. Germain, P.C. (6).
In attendance: Jodi Bruhn and Marion Ménard, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament; and Ceri Au, Communications Officer, Communications Directorate.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, March 16, 2010, the committee continued its consideration of the federal government's constitutional, treaty, political and legal responsibilities to First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples and other matters generally relating to the Aboriginal Peoples of Canada (Issues concerning First Nations education). (For complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 1.)
WITNESSES:
Office of the Treaty Commissioner of Saskatchewan:
Honourable Bill McKnight, P.C., Treaty Commissioner;
Harry Lafond, Executive Director.
Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations:
Guy Lonechild, Chief;
Gerry Hurton, Executive Director of Education.
As an individual:
Vivian Ayoungman.
Confederacy of Treaty 6 First Nations:
Quintine Kootenay, Grand Chief Liaison Officer.
Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta:
Rose Laboucan, Chief, Driftpile First Nation;
Eileen Lines, Interim Director of Education.
Treaty 7 Management Corporation:
Sheena Jackson, Education Director;
Evelyn Good Striker, Education Researcher.
Assembly of First Nations:
Shawn Atleo, National Chief.
The Honourable Mr. McKnight and Mr. Lonechild each made a statement and, together with Mr. Lafond and Mr. Hurton, answered questions.
At 10:35 a.m. the committee suspended.
At 10:50 a.m., the committee resumed.
The chair informed the committee of the presence of Mr. Shawn A-in-chut Atleo, National Chief, Assembly of First Nations.
Ms Ayoungman, Ms Laboucan, Ms Good Striker, Ms Jackson and Mr. Kootenay each made a statement and, together, answered questions.
At 12:10 a.m., it was agreed that the committee adjourn to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
EDMONTON, ALBERTA, Thursday, October 7, 2010
(23)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples met this day at 1:32 p.m., in the Westin Edmonton Hotel, in the Strathcona Room, the chair, the Honourable Gerry St. Germain, P.C., presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Dyck, Hubley, Poirier, Raine, Sibbeston and St. Germain, P.C. (6).
In attendance: Jodi Bruhn and Marion Ménard, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament; and Ceri Au, Communications Officer, Communications Directorate.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, March 16, 2010, the committee continued its consideration of the federal government's constitutional, treaty, political and legal responsibilities to First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples and other matters generally relating to the Aboriginal Peoples of Canada (Issues concerning First Nations education) (For complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 1.)
WITNESSES:
Edmonton Public Schools:
Margaretha Ebbers, Supervisor, Aboriginal Education, Programs;
Edgar Schmidt, Superintendent.
Wild Rose Public Schools:
Brian Celli, Superintendent of Schools.
Edmonton Catholic Schools:
Richard Dombrosky, Assistant Superintendent, Learning Services — Enhancement.
Red Deer Public Schools:
Bruce Buruma, Director of Community Relations.
Northwest Nations Education Council:
Gerry Guillet, Director of Education, Chief Executive Officer;
Wes Fine Day, Cultural Advisor/Partnership Coordinator.
Ile-a-la-Crosse School Division:
Lon Borgerson, Director of Education;
Duane Favel, Chair, Board of Education.
Regina Public Schools:
Calvin Racette, Aboriginal Education Coordinator;
Dave Hutchinson, Superintendent;
Betty McKenna, Elder.
Saskatoon Tribal Council:
Larry Cachene, Chief;
John Barton, Acting Director of Education.
Mr. Schmidt, Ms Ebbers, Mr. Dombrosky, Mr. Celli and Mr. Buruma each made a statement and, together, answered questions.
At 3 p.m. the committee suspended.
At 3:15 p.m., the committee resumed.
The Honourable Senator Dyck moved:
That coverage by electronic media of the committee's afternoon proceedings be permitted.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
At 4:15 p.m. the committee suspended.
At 4:22 p.m., the committee resumed.
Mr. Guillet, Mr. Borgerson, Mr. Hutchinson and Mr. Cachene each made a statement and, together with Mr. Favel, Mr. Fine Day, Mr. Barton, Ms McKenna and Mr. Racette, answered questions.
At 4:45 p.m., it was agreed that the committee adjourn to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Marcy Zlotnick
Clerk of the Committee