Showing 440 results

Archival description
N-2001-016: CN-17A · Item · May 26, 1977
Part of Metis Nation of the Northwest Territories fonds

This item consists of a monologue by Alfred Lennie, perhaps at a community meeting. The original source item is side A of a 60 minute audio cassette. Lennie, a long-time trapper from Tulita (Fort Norman) discusses his opinions regarding land claims, the pipeline, the Indian Brotherhood and Georges Erasmus, Elders and Chiefs, a petition circulated in Fort Norman, trapping hardships and people who call themselves trappers, and living his own life, making his own decisions.

N-2001-016: CN-181A · Item · March 1983
Part of Metis Nation of the Northwest Territories fonds

This item is an episode of the Datsedi radio program from March 1983. The recording is in English. The original source item is side A of an audio cassette. The recording starts with Susan Lavoie giving an update on Metis Association activities. She reports that President Bob Stevenson has returned from the First Ministers’ Conference in Ottawa and that Vice President Brian Heron is in Fort Smith after attending meetings on land claims negotiations in Ottawa. Communications Coordinator Cathy Arden was also in Ottawa for First Ministers’ Conference and Susan interviews her on her feelings about the conference and the discussions that took place there. Cathy states that the main topic the first day was Aboriginal title and the main topic the second day was the Accord. She felt that although people were not entirely satisfied with the results, at least they had been able to meet with the Prime Minister and Premiers and get a foot in the door. The second part of the recording is an update on Dene Nation activities. Another female announcer also reports about the First Ministers’ Conference, stating that two items were discussed at length: Aboriginal title and self-government. Dene Nation President Georges Erasmus, Vice President Herb Norwegian, and Communications Coordinator Cindy Gilday were in attendance and Cindy shares her views. She describes the tight media security, frustrations with the Premiers over defining Aboriginal title, the strong solidarity and powerful impression made by the Indigenous leaders, aims going into the Conference, content of the Constitutional Accord, process and controversy in negotiating and drafting the Accord, and the distraction of the equal rights issue. She says that although people were disappointed that they didn’t get as much as they wanted and the elaboration of Aboriginal rights was not addressed, they generally felt good that they had walked away with something more than they had before. The final part of the recording is the Norman Wells Project update, which is a monthly report prepared by project coordination office in Yellowknife. The announcer reads the headlines, then provides more details about Northern companies receiving contracts for the project and John Marr’s activities as the federal coordinator. Music is interspersed through the reports and interviews. The recording ends abruptly.

N-2001-016: CN-184A · Item · February 14, 1983
Part of Metis Nation of the Northwest Territories fonds

This item is the first part of a three-part recording of a negotiation session on eligibility, held in Ottawa on February 14, 1983. The recording is in English. The original source item is side A of a120 minute audio cassette. The recording also includes items CN-184B and CN-185A. There is a lot of background white noise with the result that many of the speakers cannot be heard. The recording starts with the Federal negotiator summing up actions since the last meeting on December 17, 1982, including documents received from the Metis Association and Dene Nation. The Federal negotiator also provides some background regarding land claims, federal policy, and the history of the Treaties, Half-Breed Commissions, and claims in the area, perhaps for the benefit of the Metis Association's new Chief Negotiator. He indicates that the claims were submitted in 1976 by the Dene Nation and 1977 by the Metis Association and that the federal government is negotiating with them because there are outstanding obligations under the treaties signed in the area and the government is entering into negotiations with the other groups surrounding the Mackenzie Valley. The purpose of the negotiations from the government perspective is to put an end to claims against the Government based on Aboriginal rights, which is why an eligibility agreement is needed to identify those people. He suggests that the first reference point is those who are descendants of the people covered in the Treaties and Half-breed Commissions and that the government is not going to be too harsh with exceptions. The representative of the Dene Nation states that their position has not changed: the negotiations are for and on behalf of the descendants of the Dene, who have been in the Mackenzie Valley for thousands of years. While recognizing that there are others who have a right to be beneficiaries, the principle he outlines is that the descendants of the Dene will be the ones who decide who else is included. It is mentioned that the negotiators at the December 17 meeting appeared to be close to an agreement. The recording ends abruptly.

N-2001-016: CN-184B · Item · February 14, 1983
Part of Metis Nation of the Northwest Territories fonds

This item is the second part of a three-part recording of a negotiation session on eligibility, held in Ottawa on February 14, 1983. The recording is in English. The original source item is side B of a 120 minute audio cassette. The recording also includes items CN-184A and CN-185A. There is a lot of background white noise with the result that many of the speakers cannot be heard. The Federal negotiator suggests proceeding with the meeting and discussing as they go, not exchanging new drafts and returning to another meeting to discuss them. There appears to have been a discussion of matters relating to eligibility, including a 1921 cut-off date, other historic benchmarks, comparisons to other land claims agreements, a core group of people who can trace their line of descendancy to the ones who signed the Treaties and another group of people who could be included for social and political reasons or on compassionate grounds, who ratifies the agreement on eligibility, ratification process for the entire package, and aboriginal rights being the basis of the claim. The recording ends abruptly.

15 Feb Elligibility
N-2001-016: CN-185A · Item · February 14-15, 1983
Part of Metis Nation of the Northwest Territories fonds

This item is the third part of a three-part recording of a negotiation session on eligibility, held in Ottawa on February 14-15, 1983. The recording is in English. The original source item is side A of a 120 minute audio cassette. The recording also includes items CN-184A and CN-184B. There is a lot of background white noise with the result that many of the speakers cannot be heard. The discussion continues on matters relating to eligibility, including land use according to a subsistence Aboriginal lifestyle, the General Hunting License, the 1921 and 1924 dates, the government’s goal of putting some finality on Aboriginal claims, freedom of beneficiaries to share those benefits with others, interim agreement and ratification process, what people are eligible for, and entitlements under legislated programs. By the end of the day, there appears to have been consensus that there would be a core group of beneficiaries with exceptions tied to the General Hunting License and individualized community recognition. The negotiating session reconvened the next morning and continued the discussion, especially around eligibility through community recognition. The recording ends abruptly.

N-2001-016: CN-18A · Item · October 3, 1978
Part of Metis Nation of the Northwest Territories fonds

This item consists of a radio announcer interviewing Hugh Faulkner, Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs, and Georges Erasmus, President of the Dene Nation, in late 1978, after federal funding for land claims has been suspended. The original source item is side A of a 60 minute audio cassette. The interviewer speaks with Faulkner first, who states that he is anxious to see the land claims go ahead but that there can be only one settlement in the Mackenzie Valley. His position is that there are not meaningful talks going on and until the Metis Association and Dene Nation get together and speak with one voice to represent the entire Indigenous interest or appoint a third party to represent them in land claims negotiations, there would be a moratorium on land claims negotiation funding. The interviewer then calls Georges Erasmus and interviews him on the same topic. He states his position that regardless of status or non-status, the people are all descendants of the Dene of the Mackenzie Valley and should therefore be represented by one group. He contends that the federal government has not actually been trying to get the groups together, as seen by the threat of core funding removal to Band councils that tried to open up the Chiefs and Council system to all people of Dene descent. The interview concludes with both Faulkner and Erasmus on the line and responding to questions from the interviewer. Erasmus concludes that the real problem has always been in the government’s attitudes to Indigenous people in Canada overall and indicates that the Dene are interested in more than land claims, specifically, they are interested in self-government. Faulkner acknowledges that there are philosophical differences about the range of powers to be included in land claims settlements.

N-2001-016: CN-18B · Item · October 3, 1978
Part of Metis Nation of the Northwest Territories fonds

This item consists of a recording of Metis Association President, Richard McNeely, being interviewed by the CBC's Marie Wilson. The original source item is side B of a 60 minute audio cassette. The interview is related to those on side A and occurs later the same day. McNeely expresses suspicion of officials in Indian Affairs and perhaps of Dene Nation, and is also less optimistic about the speed with which one organization could be formed. McNeely is firm in his statement that funding is not worth compromising basic democratic principles and indicates that the timing is not good for negotiations anyway, although he would like them to go ahead. He also makes reference to some meaningful concessions he advanced at the Drum Lake meeting and offers Marie Wilson a transcript.

The interview starts mid-way through this recording.

N-2001-016: CN-193A · Item · June 30-July 3, 1983
Part of Metis Nation of the Northwest Territories fonds

This item is the first part of a two-part recording of speeches and interviews from the Women and Words Conference held in Vancouver, June 30-July 3, 1983. The recording is in English. The original source item is side A of a 90 minute audio cassette. The recording also includes item CN-193B. The Women and Words conference was a bilingual conference for women in literature-related fields. The recording starts with an introduction by organizer Betsy Warland, followed by a presentation and poetry reading by Indigenous poet Beth Cuthand. The next section of the recording is an interview of Beth Cuthand by Susan Lavoie, likely for the Datsedi radio program. Beth speaks about no longer seeing herself as a victim because she is an Indigenous woman, working as a team and giving people equal respect, and her message to non-Indigenous women writers. The next section of the recording is an interview of Victoria Freeman, one of the conference organizers by Susan Lavoie, likely for the Datsedi radio program. Victoria speaks about organizing the conference, its aims, the Westcoast Women and Words Society, the anthology of women authors they are editing, and her satisfaction with the outcomes of the Conference.

This recording includes sides A and B of the tape.

N-2001-016: CN-193B · Item · July 3, 1983
Part of Metis Nation of the Northwest Territories fonds

This item is the second part of a two-part recording of interviews from the Women and Words Conference held in Vancouver, June 30-July 3, 1983. The recording is in English. The original source item is side B of a 90 minute audio cassette. The recording also includes item CN-193A. Both sections of this recording are interviews by Susan Lavoie, likely for the Datsedi radio program, recorded on July 3, 1983. The first section is an interview of Indigenous author Maria Campbell, who speaks about networking, her feelings about the conference, her experience with other related meetings, and her message to non-Indigenous women writing about Indigenous matters. She also describes a meeting of Indigenous women after the conference and their aims to set writers' circles and a newsletter. She also gives advice to those involved in Indigenous communications to recognize the training and expertise available within their own communities and people. The second section of the recording is an interview of Indigenous author Jeannette Armstrong, who speaks about the difficulty Indigenous people have getting their work published and reviewed, her feelings about non-Indigenous people writing about Indigenous issues and topics, and her feelings about attending the Conference.

This recording includes sides A and B of the tape.

N-2001-016: CN-194A · Item · [ca. 1983]
Part of Metis Nation of the Northwest Territories fonds

This item is the first part of a two-part recording of a series of interviews by Susan Lavoie, likely for the Datsedi radio program. The recording is in English. The original source item is side A of a 90 minute audio cassette. The recording also includes item CN-194B. The first interview is with Linda __ about an Art Festival being organized in Yellowknife. The Festival will consist of a show, sale and auction at The Explorer Hotel June 4-5, with all proceeds going to the artists. Most artists are expected to be from Yellowknife and the surrounding area, although others from across the territory are welcome to participate. There has been lots of interest so far. The coordinators of the event are Linda __ and Joyce Herder. The second interview is with Susie about the work of the Transition House Committee. The Committee aims to meet the needs of Yellowknife women in crisis, especially women and children in situations of physical and mental abuse. At the time of the interview, the Committee had been in existence for two years without much progress. However, Susie sees recent interagency meetings and a commitment from the YWCA to place women and children for a week at a time as a step forward, which will let people know they are available to help. As services are used, statistics can be gathered to approach the government for capital funding for a house/building. The committee also accessed a Secretary of State grant to hold a workshop the previous year on the needs of women in crisis. Susie recently attended a Women's Emergency Shelter workshop in Edmonton, which gathered workers from shelters across Canada. She was encouraged by the support she found there and the prospect of setting up a national network of shelters. The interview concludes with instructions on what women in crisis can do. The third interview is with Doug ___ about the Homecoming Committee. Yellowknife is celebrating its 50th Anniversary in 1984 and although the City's Anniversary Committee coordinated activities throughout the year to celebrate, the Homecoming Committee formed to bring former residents back to Yellowknife June 23-July 7. So far they have been gathering names and addresses of people to invite. They are also hoping to arrange for special charter rates from various locations across Canada, set up special events, and produce some kind of history of Yellowknife. They aim to get several smaller committees set up to help with various parts of the arrangements and fundraising and involve local sports and service clubs. One of the other organizers mentioned in the interview is Susan Jackson. The fourth interview is with Joyce Herder about Folk on the Rocks. Joyce lists all of the acts coming from the South, Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Yellowknife. She outlines sources of funding, ticket costs, types of volunteers required and how to get involved, and mentions that they are still looking for more food vendors. Joyce also describes festival activities, including workshops, evening concerts, late-night dances, and a children's area.

This recording includes sides A and B of the tape.

N-2001-016: CN-194B · Item · [ca. 1983]
Part of Metis Nation of the Northwest Territories fonds

This item is the second part of a two-part recording of a series of interviews by Susan Lavoie, likely for the Datsedi radio program. The recording is in English. The original source item is side B of a 90 minute audio cassette. The recording also includes item CN-194A. The first interview is with Nora _ about the newly formed Yellowknife Hunters and Trappers Association (HTA). Nora indicates reasons for the formation of the group, which include pressure from anti-trapping movement and taxation of trappers without benefits in their off-season. A territorial Federation of Hunters and Trappers has also been organized, consisting of HTA locals or in the absence of locals, the Band Council, from other NWT communities. The Yellowknife HTA held a special meeting May 2 and elected an interim board of directors, including President Warren Magrum, Vice-president Nora , Secretary Cathy Arden, Treasurer Myrna Arden, and directors Donald Cadieu, Matthew King, and Hughie Arden. An Annual Meeting to review the draft Constitution and Bylaws is scheduled for June 27. Holders of General Hunting Licenses are eligible to join the HTA. Members will have the benefit of the HTA and Federation working on their behalf to protect their livelihood as trappers. The HTA also hopes to open a store where people can market their wild game. The second section of the recording features Susan Lavoie asking children on a playground about their summer plans. The children describe vacation plans in the south and local activities, including going to the beach, skipping, riding bikes, playing baseball, and working at the RCMP washing cars.

This recording includes sides A and B of the tape.

N-2001-016: CN-195A · Item · [ca. 1982-1983]
Part of Metis Nation of the Northwest Territories fonds

This item is a recording of a series of interviews by Susan Lavoie on the topic of Indigenous language instruction in schools, likely for the Datsedi radio program. The recording is in English. The original source item is side A of a 90 minute audio cassette. The first interview is with Nancy Magrum. Nancy describes how she noticed that her Metis children attending Mildred Hall School were getting lots of support and activities including the French language and culture, but that Indigenous language and culture was not in evidence. She wrote to the school board as well as the Metis Association and Dene Nation, hoping that they would be able to apply pressure. She feels that students should learn about their environment and the local Indigenous culture. The second interview is with Carol Letendre, who also feels that it is a good idea for children to learn their Indigenous language or an Indigenous language and sees the advantages such instruction would have. The third interview is with Bob Stevenson, President of the Metis Association. Bob indicates that the Metis Association wrote to the school board with similar concerns as Nancy outlined. He outlines the reasons why the Metis Association has not pushed Indigenous language instruction so far and suggests that the Locals should get involved. The fourth interview is with Susie Edm. She emphasizes the need for supports for children entering school with a first language other than English and says that there should definitely be Indigenous language and themes taught in school. The fifth interview is with Barb McKenzie. She suggests that Indigenous language and cultural studies should be taught not only in school, but also to adults through the Government and Indigenous organizations. The sixth interview is with Susie Essary. She states that it is important for Metis children to learn their heritage and another language, other than French. She feels that if this generation of children does not learn Indigenous languages while they are young, it will be impossible to bring the languages back.

N-2001-016: CN-198A · Item · February 1, 1983
Part of Metis Nation of the Northwest Territories fonds

This item is a recording of an interview of Dennis Thorne by Susan Lavoie, likely for the Datsedi radio program. The recording is in English. The original source item is side A of a 60 minute audio cassette. The theme of the interview is Dennis’ view of the Aboriginal right to practice traditional cultural and spiritual beliefs. He describes the giving of the original instructions to people, what they are, and how these things can be practiced by anyone. He says that the things given by the spirit world cannot be negotiated away or traded for money and must be protected by governments and accepted by other religions. He indicates that many Indigenous people are turning back to these ways and questions the ability of leaders acting as his representative (e.g. during land claims negotiations) who might not be knowledgeable of the original instructions or practicing the traditional cultural and spiritual beliefs.

N-2001-016: CN-19A · Item · August 1984
Part of Metis Nation of the Northwest Territories fonds

This item consists primarily of two interviews, possibly conducted by Phoebe Nahanni. The original source item is side A of a 90 minute audio cassette. The first is the second part of a two part interview that started on the other side of the tape (see CN-19B), with a Public Trustee Officer named Barrie (female speaker) regarding wills and estates. The interviewer asks lots of questions about what happens with estates and assets in various circumstances and the interviewee identifies things people should know but might not be aware of, available resources, and various problems that arise in the administration of estates. Some terms of the Dependents Relief Ordinance and Intestate Succession Ordinance are also explained. The second interview is with another female speaker, perhaps in the Metis Association, on the topic of land claims and elections. A comment purportedly made by candidate Lynda Sorenson regarding Dene-Metis unity is discussed and reference is also made to sending a letter to MP David Nickerson.

N-2001-016: CN-19B · Item · October 1984
Part of Metis Nation of the Northwest Territories fonds

This item consists of two interviews, possibly conducted by Phoebe Nahanni. The original source item is side B of a 90 minute audio cassette. The first is with Bea Daniels, regarding Seniors. Bea was appointed to the Office of National Advisory Council on Aging for a two year term , finishing in 1986. She describes some of the initiatives in the south and makes suggestions for things seniors can start in their own communities, including drop-in centres. She also discusses the difficulties and expense of getting glasses, dentures, and hearing aids for older people, Seniors’ discounts, pensions, and losing a spouse. The second interview is the first part of a two part interview that continues on the other side of the tape (see CN-19A) with a Public Trustee Officer named Barrie (female speaker). The interview focuses on the role of the Public Trustee office as it relates to administering estates, particularly for people who have not made wills. The interview also brings out some of the advantages of having a will drawn up and disadvantages of not doing so. Terms of the Indian Act dealing with the administration of estates are also briefly touched on.

N-2001-016: CN-1B · Item · 1980
Part of Metis Nation of the Northwest Territories fonds

This item is a tape of dictation from the Metis Development Corporation recorded in 1980. The original source item is side A of a 60 minute audio cassette. The speaker may be R. J. Greene, General Manager, and is directed to secretary Mrs. Mandeville. The items on the tape include: Newsletter #2, a memo to board members, a February 6, 1980 summary of the Norman Wells project, and a February 14, 1980 letter to W.M. Pearce, Interprovincial Pipeline Ltd., on the Norman Wells Project.

N-2001-016: CN-200A · Item · April 9, 1983
Part of Metis Nation of the Northwest Territories fonds

This item is an interview of Jim Bourque by Susan Lavoie, likely for the Datsedi radio program. The recording is in English. The original source item is side A of a 90 minute audio cassette. The theme of the interview is trapping and the anti-trapping movement. Jim Bourque is the Deputy Minister of the Department of Renewable Resources. Bourque outlines the GNWT’s stance on trapping, stating that the harvest of fur is an important part of the economy and culture of people of the north, as well as being essential to control animal populations. He describes the role of government, that of conservation education to inform the public on wildlife and wildlife management, and that of hunting and trapping organizations to affiliate with one another. Bourque indicates that anti-trapping groups are a threat in as much as they can influence fur markets. He discusses the issue raised by the anti-trapping groups that trapping is inhumane and that leg-hold traps should be banned. Bourque suggests that trappers are interested in conducting their business as efficiently as possible, which includes setting traps for a quick kill, and for that reason will continue to strive to develop more humane and more efficient ways to harvest fur. Bourque concludes that he will do everything in his power to provide an on the land option for people.

N-2001-016: CN-202A · Item · August 1982
Part of Metis Nation of the Northwest Territories fonds

This item is an interview of Metis Association President, Bob Stevenson, by an unidentified female interviewer, possibly Bren Kolson, likely for the Datsedi radio program. The recording is in English. The original source item is side A of a 90 minute audio cassette. The theme of the interview is the Drum Lake joint leadership meeting and the upcoming Metis Association Annual General Assembly. Bob describes his impressions of the Drum Lake meeting and states that the Metis Association was outnumbered by the Dene Nation, with the result that although some funding was granted to the Metis Association out of the federal Aboriginal Rights money, it was still much less than requested. Bob mentions the next steps the Metis Association will take to secure other funds. He also registers his dissatisfaction that the funding issue was behind the formation of one organization and eligibility on the agenda, which are two issues that could not be decided at a leadership meeting anyway. Bob outlines the plans for the upcoming Annual General Assembly, which will include workshops on eligibility and the formation of one organization, a discussion on the Metis Association Constitution and Bylaws, executive and financial reports, and elections.

N-2001-016: CN-203A · Item · March 26, 1983
Part of Metis Nation of the Northwest Territories fonds

This item is a set of two interviews by Susan Lavoie, for the 63rd week of the Datsedi radio program. The recording is in English. The original source item is side A of a 90 minute audio cassette. The first interview is with Kathy Arden, who speaks about attending the First Minister’s Conference held in Ottawa and describes the testimony given by James Gosnell of the Nisga’a Tribal Council regarding Aboriginal title. The second interview is with Mike Paulette regarding the Northern Careers Program. Mike indicates that the program started in 1974, although it was not really operational until 1975. The purpose of the program is to train northern Indigenous people for middle and senior level positions with the federal government in the north. Mike describes program eligibility, how to apply, how positions are filled, current numbers of participants, and types of training. He indicates that although the program had a rough start, he thinks it will be more successful now and that it will continue for some time.

Albert Lafferty
N-2001-016: CN-20A · Item · 1992
Part of Metis Nation of the Northwest Territories fonds

This item consists of an interview conducted by Tom Kakfwi in Fort Good Hope as part of the 1992 Metis Heritage Project. The original source item is side A of a 60 minute audio cassette. The interview is with Albert Felix Lafferty, born March 11, 1906. His father was Boniface Lafferty from Red River/St. Boniface and his mother was Madeleine Bouvier. There were 10 children in his family, 7 boys and 3 girls. Albert’s grandfather came north with the Hudson’s Bay Company. Albert was born in Fort Nelson, where his father had a store. The family moved to Fort Wrigley when he was five years old, then to Fort Providence. Albert was educated at Fort Providence, up to Grade 8. His first three years of instruction were all in French. He also had to do a lot of chores at school. Childhood entertainments included sledding and snaring rabbits, with bows and arrows for toys. As an adult, Albert spent some time in the bush, as well as working for the HBC and Northern Traders. The interviewer asks Albert about how things were in the old days in contrast to the present day, in particular about money, light sources, houses, stoves, bathrooms, water, groceries, entertainment, employment, education, social services, and travel.