Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples: Individual Presentation by Claude Bisonnette
Database ID | 31320 | |
Institution | University of Saskatchewan Archives | |
Fonds/Collection | Native Law Centre fonds | |
File/Item Reference | Reference Library, RCAP vol. 135 (Box 22) | |
Date of creation | May 27, 1993 | |
Physical description/extent | 30 pages of textual records | |
Number of images | 24 | |
Scope and content | This file contains an individual presentation by Claude Bisonnette, a non-Aboriginal who is a certified life insurer in St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec. He began working with the citizens of Kahnawake in 1987, to the surprise of his co-workers. Bisonnette had to assure them that "(I)f I was having problems with the Mohawks I simply wouldn't go back there." He tells the Commissioners that he is often shocked at the negative attention minor incidents in Kahnawake are given and says the media doesn't help. He attempted to continue his business during the Oka Crisis because "(I)f a skirmish broke out and a client died from a bullet or some other weapon, the company could refuse to pay the death benefit if the policy was not in force." The Oka Crisis put an end to his business dealings with the Mohawks for several years due to government policy and has only recently begun working with Kahnawake citizens again. A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation. | |
Other terms governing use and reproduction | Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples - Transcriptions of Public Hearings and Round Table Discussions, 1992-1993. Reproduced with the permission of the Minister of Public Works and Government Services, and Courtesy of the Privy Council Office, 2008. | |
Type | Published | |
Primary Media | Textual documents | |
Provenance Access Point | University of Saskatchewan. Native Law Centre | |
Other notes | Part of Volume 3, Hotel Bonaventure-Hilton, Outremont Room, Montreal, Quebec; Thursday, May 27, 1993. Pages 675-704. | |
Place | Montreal, Quebec, Canada Oka, Quebec, Canada | |
Treaty boundaries | Peace & Alliance No treaty | |
Cultural region | Northeast | |
Names | Bissonette, Claude Great Law of Peace Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples Surete du Quebec | |
Subject | Government commissions -- Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples Indigenous Peoples General Indigenous Peoples Organizations Indigenous Relations Businesses Government policy Racism and stereotypes Oka Crisis | |
Date Range(s) | 1990-1999 | |
Permanent Link | https://digital.scaa.sk.ca/ourlegacy/permalink/31320 |