In recent years the growth in demand for multimedia applications delivered over a network has been extensive illustrated by the phenomenal expansion of the World Wide Web in today's Internet. Increasing amounts of electronic information are presented in a multimedia format and delivered over networks, which generates increased traffic demands. In short, future networks will not only comprise multiple, interconnected data transport platforms but will also need to handle an increasing range of distributed multimedia services, delivered to a diverse user community that is increasingly becoming mobile.

This thesis examines the relationship between the provincial Crown and Aboriginal peoples in the particular context of the prairie provinces to determine whether or not it can be described as fiduciary and, if so, what obligations arise from it. While very few judicial decisions have dealt with this specific issue, an analysis of the existing jurisprudence suggests that there are two types of fiduciary relationships in which Aboriginal peoples are involved. The first type is a manifestation of the more traditional fiduciary concept. It is similar to classic fiduciary situations, such as doctor/patient, director/corporation, partner/partner, in which a fiduciary having control over the property or person of another must act in that other person's best interests. In the Aboriginal context, the power of the federal Crown over surrendered Indian reserve lands and over Indian moneys is limited by its fiduciary obligations of this traditional type. The second type is unique to the situation of Aboriginal peoples. It arises out of the constitutional protection provided to Aboriginal and treaty rights and gives rise to obligations that limit the jurisdiction of federal and provincial governments over them. This thesis concludes that the provincial Crown in the prairie provinces possesses no fiduciary obligations arising directly out of its relationship with First Nations peoples, in the classic fiduciary sense, because history and the Constitution have established that that relationship is with the federal Crown. Provincial fiduciary obligations are limited to those arising from the constitutional protection of Aboriginal and treaty rights and thus arise only in respect of constitutionally valid provincial laws that infringe on such rights. In Saskatchewan, the only infringing provincial laws that are possible are those made under the authority provided by paragraph 12 of the Natural Resources Transfer Agreement, 1930, which authorizes Saskatchewan to make limited laws relating to hunting, fishing and trapping applicable to Indians.

The present study examined community/tribe, peer/family, and individual correlates of suicidal behaviour in a representative on-reserve sample of First Nations adolescents. Data came from the 2002-2003 Manitoba First Nations Regional Longitudinal Health Survey of Youth. Household interviews were conducted with adolescents ages 12-17 (n=1,125) from 23 First Nations communities in Manitoba. Bivariate logistic regression analyses were used to examine the relationships between a range of factors and lifetime suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and any suicidality. A multivariate logistic regression analysis identified those correlates most strongly related to any suicidality. Findings showed that several correlates were found to be associated with an increased likelihood of suicidal behaviour, including being female, depressed mood, abuse/fear of abuse, a hospital stay, and substance use. Results of this study will likely be of importance in informing First Nations and government policy related to the implementation of suicide prevention strategies in Manitoban First Nations communities.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between adversity, resiliency and substance use among Manitoba First Nation girls living on reserve, ages 12 to 17 years. Five hundred and fifty girls completed an in person survey of 138 items on a variety of health and well-being issues. The results of this study indicate that the prevalence of substance use is disturbingly high among First Nation girls. A logistic regression analysis determined that age, family discord, and parental substance abuse were all significant predicators of increased substance use among First Nation girls. Family connectedness, visiting and spending time with family were protective against substance use. Surprisingly, high cultural engagement was not protective against substance use in this study, but beliefs in the importance of cultural activities were protective. In conclusion, this study showed that taking a resiliency approach to examine health behaviors among First Nation girls is beneficial and can best inform policies and programs to reduce substance use.

Background: Prevalence of diabetes and cardiovascular disease among First Nations populations in Canada is higher compared to the non-First Nations population. Consistent monitoring of this epidemic is required. In addition, cardiovascular risk factors derived from research on non-First Nations populations may not be applicable to First Nations populations. Therefore, better understandings of risk factors specific to First Nations populations are required. Purpose: To characterize cardiovascular risk in a Manitoba First Nation population. Methods: Data from the 2002/2003 and 2011/2012 Diabetes Screening Studies in Sandy Bay First Nation were used, including fasting blood, anthropometric, and self-report data. The studies were conducted using a community-based participatory framework. All non-pregnant community members aged ≥18 years old were invited to participate in both study periods. First, using a repeated cross-sectional design, the burden of cardiovascular risk in the community in the 2011/2012 sample (n=482) was compared to the 2002/2003 sample (n=596). Second, by linking 2002/2003 and 2011/2012 data, an eight-year follow-up of participants was developed (n=171). Results: Repeated cross-sectional design. Sex- and age-standardized prevalence of diabetes in the adult population of the community was estimated at 39.2% (95% CI: 35.3, 43.1) in 2011/2012 and was not significantly different from 2002/2003. Significantly higher crude prevalence of obesity, abdominal obesity, dyslipidemia, and metabolic syndrome among women compared to men persisted from 2002/2003 to 2011/2012. At 80.0%, the crude prevalence of current smoking was significantly higher in 2011/2012 compared to 2002/2003. Prospective cohort design. There were 35 (95% CI: 26, 45) new cases of diabetes among 128 participants without diabetes at baseline (27% over 8 years or 3.3% per year). Two-thirds of those with diabetes at follow-up lost weight, including 35.1% of men, and 18.9% of women that lost greater than 10kg. Both men and women lost weight in association with decreases in fasting blood insulin, while men also lost weight in association with uncontrolled blood glucose. Conclusions: This research contributes to the understanding of the diabetes epidemic and how this epidemic has evolved in a high-risk community. Unintentional weight loss related to diabetes is a problem in this population. Further research is needed to better understand how diabetes-related weight loss may contribute to morbidity and mortality.

My dissertation analyzes the development of the visual culture of the people known as the Gitksan, as witnessed through the creation of ‘Ksan, a tourist village located at present day Gitanmaax (Hazelton, B.C.). I demonstrate how the fields of ‘art’, ‘craft’ and ‘artifact’ come into play in a more nuanced understanding of the development of various sectors at this key tourist site. The focus of the dissertation includes the complex motives that led to the creation of ‘Ksan. I consider the interrelationship of its art, the school as well as its business practices. I offer new insights into the developmental advantages of governmental project funding, the selection of a teaching staff knowledgeable in the arts of the Gitksan, and the reasons that led to its dramatic early success, only to be followed by an equally dramatic decline, all in a space of about 40 years. My reliance on interviews and analysis of new documents contributes to a deeper understanding of the complex history at this site. I also examine how the vision of Marius Barbeau may have contributed to the vision for ‘Ksan, articulated in part by a non-Native woman, Polly Sargent, a prime mover in the development of the site, the contributions of professionals like art historian Bill Holm, and most importantly, the dedication of the Gitksan people. While the school has closed, ‘Ksan’s positive impact on First Nations art of the Northwest Coast and its influence on the acceptability of Native art as fine art in Canada and other parts of the world, is evident. / Graduate / 0377 / 0273 / 0740 / cdubreui@sbu.edu

In cases involving the rescue of people in need of immediate medical care, it is often thought that the responsibility to save the lives of the imperilled falls to advanced professionals, such as paramedics, doctors, nurses, etc. This tells only part of the story, however, as in many cases the first point of contact for a person under duress is non-professional bystanders – average people with often little to no training in first aid or medicine. If the first point of contact is the bystander, do these bystanders have an obligation to help? Even if we assume that it is good to help people in need, the answer is not immediately obvious. Matters become more complicated when the bystander does have training that would make their intervention efficacious in helping the victim. Are they expected to help because they are trained and could presumably help more? This thesis seeks to examine this question and argue the following two conclusions: first, in terms of rescue cases, trained bystanders, whom I call informed rescuers, are morally required to act because of their training; and second, given the special role of knowledge in rescue, those who do not possess training in first aid can be held morally blameworthy for failing to know how to act in rescue cases. Because of this, everyone ought to learn basic first aid.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Toronto, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 356-386).

Thesis (Ed. D.)--Washington State University, May 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 130-139).

Thesis (Ed.D.)--University of Tulsa, 1972. / Bibliography: leaves 59-62.