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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.

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.

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 B of a 60 minute audio cassette. The interview is with Joseph Masuzumi, born September 17, 1917. His father was George Masuzumi, who had immigrated from Japan. Joe’s mother was Lucy Charlie from Fort Good Hope. Joe's parents were married and Joe was born in Dawson Creek. His sister is Alice Masuzumi and he also had brothers who died. The family moved to Fort Good Hope when Joe was age 3. He was baptized and grew up there. His family moved around a lot to where they could find fish and rabbits. Joe went to school in Aklavik for three years, leaving at grade 6. His instructors there were nuns. Joe worked for the RCMP a few times, as well as trapping. The interviewer asks Joe about how things were in the old days in contrast to the present day, in particular about groceries and food, employment, light sources, stoves, entertainment, drinking, and travel.

The interview starts mid-way through this recording.

This item consists of two interviews which appear to have taken place at the Metis Nation Annual General Assembly held in Fort Norman (Tulita) in August, 1994, likely to gather information for inclusion in the Metis Nation newsletter. The first interview is with Winston McNeely and focuses on recent events and upcoming events and plans for the Fort Good Hope Metis Local and Metis Development Corporation. Much of the conversation centres on work undertaken by the Development Corporation. The second interview is with the local organizer of the Annual General Assembly. He describes some of the process he went through, the parts the Local was responsible for, the budget, and benefits for the town.

The interview starts mid-way through this recording.

This item consists of the first part of a two-part recording of a portion of a Metis Association meeting, likely a Board meeting. The original source item is side A of a 60 minute audio cassette. The meeting also includes item CN-24B. The first main topic addressed is the Historical Project (Metis History Project) and a motion is passed directing the Executive to negotiate with author Roy Price according to given terms for the project. Reference to discussions about Game and the Game Advisory Council are mentioned in passing. A short discussion of protecting the name "Metis" is also engaged in, with the conclusion that it is not really a concern at the present time. One of the members also suggests that a kit should be made up by the Head Office for Locals showing loans, grants, and assistance available under various government departments and programs. A brief mention is also made of the Justice and Corrections Advisory Committee and finding a person to sit on it. The meeting breaks for the day and reconvenes the next morning.

This recording includes both parts of the meeting.

This item is the third part of a four-part interview of Frank Laviolette (age 66) at Fort Smith, recorded on March 18, 1992 by Sister Agnes Sutherland as part of the 1992 Metis Heritage Project. The interview is in English. The original source item is side A of a 46 minute audio cassette. The interview also includes items CN-32, CN-32B, and CN-33B. Topics covered include gardening, clothing and footwear, sewing including tools, materials and decorative elements, bush medicines and treatments, diseases and epidemics, death and burial customs, the history of the Beaulieus, remembrance of deceased family members, and religious beliefs and experiences. The recording ends abruptly.

This recording includes the third and fourth parts of the interview.

This item is a series of nine short stories told by Bill Lafferty while on a boat trip on the Mackenzie River as he points out places of historical interest and speaks about the people connected to them. The original source item is side A of a 120 minute audio cassette. The stories have been edited and fiddle music added as an introduction, background, and conclusion to most of the segments. The first story is about Pete McEwan who lived by the delta of the North Nahanni and died after falling through the ice. Pete was an Irish Republican who spent 40 years trading with the Indigenous people of the area before his death. The second story centres on an area of high cliffs near where his uncle and father used to have beaver hunting camps, cabins, and trails from Carlson Lake Pass. Bill also speaks about Mount Camsell, where a face can be seen, thus giving the indigenous name that a human spirit sits there. The third story focuses on the area near Berry Island and Carlson Creek, where Helge Carlson, a Swede, had a trading post. Bill makes special mention of Carlson's wife's gravesite, which is still cared for, and the fate of his two children who had been sent to Sweden for schooling. The fourth story centres on Julian Hardisty's Spring camp. Bill provides information on Julian's identity as a Metis man and his trapping locations and indicates that old stumps he cut and his beaver stretchers can still be found in the woods. Bill relates the fifth story at a bench Harry McGuerin (spelling?) used to cut wood. Bill discusses woodlots in general and the use of wood on steamboats, as well as providing personal details about McGuerin. The sixth story is about Ocher River and the origin of its name. Bill explains the use of the ochre clay in chinking cabins and also talks about a man panning for gold in the Ocher River. The seventh story centres on a strip of lime visible on one of the cliffs they pass on the river. Bill describes how such a landmark would be used by old river pilots to determine their distance from shore and also discusses the use of lime in building fireplaces. The eighth story centres on the location of old Fort Norman. Bill also talks about voyageurs and tracking along the sand beaches in the area when there was no wind. The final story is about an area where coal veins can be seen in the bank. Bill talks about the coal mine shaft that used to be there and the use of coal for the steamboats on the Mackenzie River.

This item is the second part of a three-part interview of Leonard Heron at Fort Smith, recorded on February 5, 1992, by Joe Mercredi, as part of the 1992 Metis Heritage Project. The interview is in English. The original source item is side B of a 60 minute audio cassette. The interview also includes items CN-42A and CN-43A. Leonard relates the history of Fort Chipewyan and the various moves the fort made. Other topics covered include: dog teams and travelling by dog team, forerunners (in particular, Louis Mercredi), the culture of sharing what you have, food and food preservation, trapping and traplines, trapping cabin conversations, home remedies, medicine men, influence of the Hudson’s Bay Company and the Missions on communities, residential schools and education, role of chiefs in the community, Metis and Indigenous culture, role of women, provision for widows, employment, recreational activities, dances, alcohol, orphans and custom adoption, and courtship.

This item is the second part of a two-part interview of Mabel Heron at Fort Smith, recorded on February 7, 1992, by Joe Mercredi, as part of the 1992 Metis Heritage Project. The interview is in English. The original source item is side B of a 60 minute audio cassette. The interview also includes CN-44A. Mabel provides many details about her life growing up on her parents’ farm at Johnson’s Landing, as well as answering general questions. Mabel was born in Fort Chipewyan in 1924. Her mother was Katie (Catherine) Alice Cooper from Fort McKay and her father was John Wilfred Johnson, who had emigrated from Sweden. While she was still a baby, the family moved to what became known as Johnson’s Landing, where her parents cleared the land and established a farm. They kept cows, horses, pigs, chickens, and dogs, as well as growing vegetables, and running a trading store. Many people stopped there. Mabel’s father also trapped. The children were educated using correspondence courses taught by their mother, who had spent a number of years in the Convent at Fort McKay after her father died. The family did not leave the farm and the children were not permitted to socialize with the people who stopped there. Mabel describes enjoying the visits of her Cree grandmother, who told them old stories. A priest also came to instruct the children in their catechism and they took first communion and confirmation as a group on the farm. After her mother got sick, Mabel describes her father as getting mean, blaming the children for everything, and beating them frequently. Her mother died of cancer at the age of 32. At the age of 22, Mabel ran away from the farm with her brother, reaching Hay Camp the first night and Fort Fitzgerald the next day. She stayed with her aunt for awhile. Her younger sisters also ran away from the farm. In 1948, Mabel moved to Fort Smith, where she worked in the kitchen at the HBC hotel. She married Charlie Heron about 7 months later. Mabel did not visit her father again until her son Brien was four years old. Other topics discussed include: food preparation, religion, and disciplining children.

This item is the second part of a two-part interview of Dennis Thorne at Yellowknife, recorded on January 10, 1983 by an unidentified female interviewer. The interview is in English. The original source item is side B of a 46 minute audio cassette. The interview also includes item CN-51B. Dennis continues speaking about his participation in sun dances in South Dakota. He also mentions running human awareness workshops from an Indigenous perspective. At the time of the interview, Dennis was working as relief staff at Arctic House and a member of the senate at the Tree of Peace. He concludes with a discussion of bridging the gap between youth and elders and spiritual leaders, who can be resource people for them.

This recording includes sides A and B of the tape.

This item is the first part of a two-part interview of Arthur (Art) Owen Furlong on the Norweta (boat on the Mackenzie River), recorded in July 1996 by a female interviewer named Andrea. The interview is in English. The original source item is side A of a 60 minute audio cassette. The interview also includes item CN-54B. The interview gathers biographical details and personal responses to questions on books and magazines, toys and games, education, school activities, school clothing, friends, advice for children and grandchildren, physical attributes, health, exercise, bad habits, frightening experiences, musical instruments, personality, hobbies, preferences, religion, and trapping. Art was born in Fort Good Hope October 9, 1924. By 1931, his mother was very sick and was flown down to Aklavik. Art, his father, and his brothers followed, but she had died by the time they arrived. Art attended the residential school in Aklavik from 1931 to 1936. He went from there to Fort Norman (Tulita), where his father had moved. His first job was in Norman Wells in 1940. In 1944 he went to Whitehorse, then to Yellowknife for a couple of years in 1945. In 1946, he went to Aklavik, where there was money to be made trapping muskrats. In Aklavik he met and married his wife, Ruth Greenland. They have three children Charlie, Joseph, and Rita, and one adopted child, Robert. He later worked for Gulf and Dome near Tuktoyaktuk in the kitchen. His final job was with the Department of Public Works doing seasonal jobs. He retired at the age of 65. Art also did some trapping. The recording ends abruptly.

This recording includes sides A and B of the tape.

This item is the second part of a two-part interview of Pat Tourangeau on the Norweta (boat on the Mackenzie River), recorded in July 1996 by two unidentified female interviewers. The interview is in English. The original source item is side B of a 60 minute audio cassette. The interview also includes item CN-55A. The interview takes the form of a series of interconnected stories, rather than strictly questions and answers. Pat continues his story of trapping with a friend and also tells about a dog sled trip from Fort Chipewyan to Peace River transporting a doctor. The recording ends abruptly.

This recording includes sides A and B of the tape.

This item is the sixth part of a fifteen-part meeting of Chiefs and Metis Locals Presidents at Drum Lake, recorded August 10-11, 1982. The recording is in English and Indigenous languages, including Tlicho and North Slavey. The original source item is side B of a 120 minute audio cassette. The meeting also includes items CN-59A, CN-59B, CN-60A, CN-60B, CN-63A, CN-62A, CN-62B, CN-63A, CN-63B, CN-64A, CN-64B, CN-65A, CN-65B, and CN-66. The meeting continues with the discussion of one organization and bringing that idea to the two general assemblies. Comments are made by Joachim Bonnetrouge, Cece McCauley (Inuvik), George Blondin (Fort Franklin (Deline)), and The discussions focus on recommendations for the two assemblies, expectations of the people for outcome from Drum Lake, being prepared for the meeting, inability to make decisions. The day's recording concludes with Chair Jim Bourque urging compromise and the need to make a decision. The recording resumes the following morning (August 11) with George Blondin giving the opening prayer and a small talk about religion and spiritual help. Jim Bourque then gives a recap of the previous day's discussions and proposes a recommendation: "The Leadership Meeting at Drum Lake on August 10, 1982 recommends that: A. Both organizations hold their assemblies as planned. B. Both organizations will have as the number one item on the agenda, the concept of a single organization. C. Providing both organizations endorse the concept at their assemblies, a joint assembly date be set here for early in the calendar year. D. If both organizations endorse the single organizational concept following their assemblies, both executives will meet to establish a working group or committee to plan the joint assembly." He urges the group to find middle ground and discuss seriously how they are going to work together. Jerry Antoine then assumes the Chair. Bob Stevenson (President of the Metis Association) expresses agreement with the recommendation, suggesting that a constitutional working group be added and that the committee touring the communities also continue their work. Cece McCauley, James Christie (Fort Providence) and Arnold Hope (Fort Simpson) express support for both assemblies going ahead in Inuvik, rather than the Dene Nation meeting in Fort McPherson. The recording ends abruptly with Joachim Bonnetrouge speaking.

This item is the eleventh part of a fifteen-part meeting of Chiefs and Metis Locals Presidents at Drum Lake, recorded August 12, 1982. The recording is in English and Indigenous languages. The original source item is side A of a 120 minute audio cassette. The meeting also includes items CN-59A, CN-59B, CN-60A, CN-60B, CN-63A, CN-63B, CN-62A, CN-62B, CN-63A, CN-63B, CN-64B, CN-65A, CN-65B, and CN-66. The meeting continues with George Blondin (Chief of Fort Franklin (Deline)) opening the meeting in prayer on the morning of August 12, 1982. Chair Jim Bourque reviews the business transacted the day before and asks for reports from the small discussion groups. The first group to report is Fort Norman (Tulita) north to the Mackenzie Delta, with spokesman Wayne Taggart. This group focuses on the money allocated under the budgets presented by the Metis Association and Dene Nation and points out areas of duplication. Georges Erasmus (President of the Dene Nation) responds to their questions and explains various budget items from the Dene Nation perspective. The recording ends abruptly.

This item is the third part of a three-part interview of Sonny (D'Arcy) Arden at Yellowknife, recorded May 6, 1995, by Gordon (Lennie?). The interview is in English. The original source item is side A of a 60 minute audio cassette. The interview also includes item CN-67A and CN-67B. The interview continues with more biographical details from Sonny's life. While at Bear Lake, Sonny worked for the RCMP as a Special Constable. He was only 15 years old when he started and had his own dogteam. Patrols took up much of his time in winters. By 1937, Yellowknife was starting up and Cameron Bay was shutting down, with only one mine left. Sonny and his father decided to go down to Gordon Lake to prospect, because Joe Vachon had been prospecting the summer before and the samples he brought back to Cameron Bay yielded fantastic assay results. They travelled 23 days by dogsled. Sonny and the interviewer reflect on the old days and other people from that time. The interviewer mentions words that he has learned since doing interviews, including "trippers" and "tea stop". Sonny adds other memories such as visiting Fort Chipewyan with his father and seeing Vic Ingraham ride into town on his large sleigh, prospecting in the Mackenzie Mountains, and working in the sawmills on Great Slave River for the Wynn Brothers and Bobby Porritt. A discussion of the Cinnamon brothers' sawmills follows. Sonny also reflects on the bush skills he learned from his mother and going hunting with the McDonald boys from Fort Chipewyan. Sonny mentions that he never went to school, but picked up a little by himself.

This item is the first part of a four-part interview of Stan Larocque at Yellowknife, likely recorded in 1995, possibly by Gordon Lennie. The interview is in English. The original source item is side A of a 60 minute audio cassette. The interview also includes items CN-70B, CN-71A, and CN-71B. This part of the interview focuses on the predicted environmental impacts of the proposed BHP Diamonds Inc. operation in the Lac de Gras area. The interviewer goes through a series of questions on various topics including effects on the terrain, watershed and drainage, permafrost, vegetation, wildlife (especially caribou, bears, wolves, and fish), and local hunters and trappers, resulting from mine operations, including construction and use of roads and airstrips, draining of lakes, stream diversion, dams, mine site construction, open pit operations, processing operations, disposal of tailings, camp operations, and diesel generators. Stan is not too familiar with the Lac De Gras area, instead he draws on his experiences with other mines to answer. His opinion seems to be that if done correctly, in the right way, there will be impacts, but animals will get used to it and it should work out alright. The interviewer provides lots of additional commentary, which has the result of leading the interviewee.

This recording includes sides A and B of the tape.

This item is the second part of a two-part interview of John Henry (Sonny) Sibbeston, recorded February 18, [1994] on the Hay River Reserve, by Margaret Bearard. The interview is in English. The original source item is side A of a 90 minute audio cassette. The interview also includes item CN-99A. The interviewer continues with John's description of making dog whips and harness. John relates a number of stories about accidents and near accidents in the bush and in canoes. The discussion also covers the topics of medicine (nurses), chiefs, dances, entertainment, and religion. John also relates how he used to know a lot about kickers and a little about electric motors. John frequently returns to his previous reflections on the mess made by alcohol abuse, for himself, family, friends, and people in general. The interviewer invites John to share a story in his language. John says the stories he knows are Loucheaux (Gwich’in) from his dad. He tells one of them in Slavey.

This item is an interview of Beatrice Morin and Jeanette St. Arnault, recorded in Hay River, likely in early 1994, by an unidentified female interviewer. The interview is in English. The original source item is side B of a 90 minute audio cassette. Beatrice (age 71) and Jeanne (age 69) are sisters. Both were born in Fort Vermilion to parents Vitaline LaFleur and Harry Clarke. Their mother’s parents were Pauline Mercredi and Joe LaFleur and their father’s parents were Liza Lizotte and Gus Clarke. Harry was a Hudson’s Bay Company manager and fur buyer and the family lived in Fort Vermilion, Red River, Key River, and Meander River. The children went to the Convent in Fort Vermilion for school. Beatrice and Jeanette recall memories of the residential school, including food, accommodations, rules, and chores. They quit school at Grade 7 and Grade 8. Their first language was French and they also have some understanding of Cree. Beatrice started off her working career looking after her grandparents, then other relatives, and another elderly couple. By this time she was married to Frank Lizotte. They were together for five years and had three children together. Beatrice moved with the children to Hay River in 1949 and got a job washing dishes and waiting tables. She had another six children in Hay River. Jeanette worked at the Bishop’s House in McLennan, then at the co-op slipper factory in Grouard, then as a cook at a hotel in Faust, then at a cookhouse, then at a café in Hay River. She met her husband in Grouard and the couple had four children. Beatrice and Jeanette recall a bad flu that occurred when Bea was 14 or 15 years old. They also discuss the diphtheria outbreak in 1929; some of their relatives were involved in getting the vaccine. The women also talk about skills learned from their mother and traditional medicines. Beatrice speaks about getting medicines from a medicine man in Alberta. They also discuss leaders, special clothing, and entertainment. The interview concludes with Beatrice and Jeanette giving advice to the younger generation to talk and listen to their parents, visit their grandparents more, and continue their education.

This item is an interview of James Sanderson, recorded February 19, 1994 in Hay River, by an unidentified female interviewer. The interview is in English. The original source item is side A of a 60 minute audio cassette. James Sanderson was born July 17, 1929 in Fort Chipewyan. His father, Henry Sanderson was from Fort McMurray. His mother may have been named Margaret Rutherford from Mukluk? James spoke Cree growing up and is self-taught to grade 4. James was married to Irene Laco___ and had four boys and four girls. The couple later split up. James answers questions about his grandparents, growing up, chores, trapping, work, epidemics and disease, living off the land, missionaries, and entertainment. Many of James’ responses are unclear due to a large amount of background white noise.

This item is the second part of a two-part interview of Sarah Sibbeston, recorded on February 8, 1994 in Hay River likely by Margaret Bearard. The interview is in English. The original source item is side B of a 90 minute audio cassette. The interview continues as Sarah describes gradually losing her eyesight in 1926, travels to doctors, and her feelings about what had happened to her. Sarah also discusses some of her family connections. She mentions that did not marry or have children because she had lost her sight. The discussion returns to the topic of school, which Sarah attended for two years. She speaks about rules preventing girls and boys from mixing and not being allowed to speak Slavey. Sarah can speak Slavey and English. Sarah talks about negative impacts on northern society, like idleness and alcohol. She also describes the 1928 flu epidemic, which occurred while she was in Hay River, and an earlier experience with diphtheria while at school. Sarah spends time knitting and crocheting. She also speaks about cleaning, washing clothes, washing dishes, preserving food, and entertainment in the past. Her advice to younger generations is to be honest and kind and to share with those in need.