Analysis includes sections dealing with: application of the Act; definition and registration of Indians; reserve lands (ownership, trespass, surrenders, lands taken for public purpose, and management); estates; management of Indian moneys; election of Chiefs and Councilors and powers of Councils; enfranchisement; and taxation.
Argues that Treaty benefits should move from band councils to individuals and that there should be an introduction of taxation on reserves to raise revenue.
The file contains a presentation by Irvin Norn of the Deninu Kue First Nation. Norn, the Band Administrator, discusses the historical background, the concerns, and the day-to-day issues that his band experiences with respect to membership. Norn discusses Treaty Eight, social services, education, justice, housing, health, renewable and non-renewable resources, and taxation. Following the presentation Commissioners Georges Erasmus and Paul Chartrand discuss some of the issues raised with Norn.
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples - Transcriptions of Public Hearings and Round Table Discussions
Documents & Presentations
Author/Creator
Tom Lindley
Description
The file contains a presentation on behalf of the Westbank Indian Band by Tom Lindley. Lindley discusses difficulties with the Indian Act rules for band governance, disputes within the community and the desire to recall the band representatives, issues with taxation and non-Aboriginal people living on reserve, and concerns with self-government negotiations underway. Following the presentation Commissioner Mary Sillett discusses some of the issues raised with Lindley, after which the day's sitting of the Commission is adjourned with a closing prayer.