Blog

Eight of the key issues of most significant concern for Indigenous Peoples in Canada are complex and inexorably intertwined - so much so that government, researchers, policymakers and Indigenous leaders seem hamstrung by the enormity. It is hard to isolate one issue as being the worst. The roots of these issues lie in the Indian Act and colonialism.

The right to vote is widely recognized as a fundamental human right in a democratic society and in Canada every Canadian citizen has that right as guaranteed in Section 3 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. [1] Ensuring the ability of citizens to exercise their right to vote is the responsibility of the government.

 “The doctrine of Aboriginal rights exists… because of one simple fact: when Europeans arrived in North America, Aboriginal peoples were already here, living in communities on the land, and participating in distinctive cultures, as they had done for centuries. It is this fact, and this fact above all others, which separates Aboriginal peoples from all other minority groups in Canadian society and which mandates their special legal status.” [1]

Canada is a country whose citizens pride themselves on their diversity and promotion of pluralism yet turn a blind eye to the continued stereotypical views and depictions of First Nations people present in the media, sports, advertisements, the fashion industry and conversations.

Fifty-eight percent of young adults living on reserve in Canada have not completed high school, according to the 2011 National Household Survey census results. And that’s an increase from the 2006 census results. How did this come about?

When reading statistics about the Aboriginal population in Canada, keep in mind that just as there is cultural diversity, there is also great diversity in the social conditions of Aboriginal people. Geographic location, income level, and cultural practices influence the ability of Aboriginal people to work, get an education and afford healthy homes.

Why is it important to be aware of the statistics regarding the Aboriginal population? Because, if you are in consulting or recruitment, for example, an understanding of the median age, education and residency provides valuable information for your engagement and outreach strategies.

At the Liberal Party of Canada biennial convention in Montreal in February 2014, party members voted on a number of policy resolutions. Of particular interest to me was the resolution to reject the 1969 White Paper on Indian Policy, whose authors included Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau.

Honourable Bernard Valcourt
Minister, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada
Les Terrasses de la Chaudière, North Tower
10 Wellington Street, Room 2100
Gatineau, Quebec, K1A 0H4
Via facsimile: (819) 953-4941

By Tanya Laing-Gahr

While Idle No More has brought national and international attention to Aboriginal issues, those within Canada’s resource sector have been keenly aware that the old ways of approaching engagement with Aboriginal communities are changing. Many resource companies are taking proactive approaches to engage early and engage often. However, there is still uncertainty about how to approach conflict when negotiating agreements, largely due to clashing worldviews.

This is the third article in a three-part series on Indigenous repatriation – why it is necessary, the relationship between Indigenous Peoples and museums, and the pioneering experiences of Andy Wilson and the Haida Repatriation Committee.