Much of the content on Indigenous Foundations is designed to provide you with concise information on key topics in Indigenous studies. Some parts of this site, however, contain special projects that explore some topics in special ways, or explore them more intensively. This section, Special Projects, contains some of this material.
The first Special Project included here is an exploration of the Berger Inquiry. In the 1970s, the Canadian government asked Justice Thomas Berger to make recommendations on a pipeline that would transport natural gas from Alaska, down the Mackenzie Valley, to Chicago.
The Berger Inquiry broke precedent. For the first time, Aboriginal and environmental organizations were given funding so they could cross-examine oil company experts and call their own witnesses. The Judge also held Community hearings in thirty small Dene and Inuvialuit villages. Almost a thousand witnesses testified.
Featured Documentary
This documentary tells the story of Tom Berger from his childhood in Victoria to the moment when Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau selected him to lead the Inquiry. It provides a glimpse into the early days of the on-going battle to secure Indigenous rights in Canada.
This Special Project provides a unique way to explore the records of this Inquiry through the eyes of the participants. Explore the Berger Inquiry page . . .
