Indian Act

Explains that even though the Indian Act was amended by Bill C-31, there remains residual sexual discrimination in determining Indian status.

Looks at non-physical forms of genocide such as legal, cultural and ethnical by the destruction of language, culture and enforced poverty. History Honours Paper (B.A.)--Acadia University, 2016.

Responses based on consultations with 42 First Nations women regarding options presented by the Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada.

Economics and Political Science Thesis (LL.D.)--University of London, 1995.

Argues that Canada must begin to develop trusting, long-term and collaborative relationships with Indigenous people in the spirit of the treaties in order for reconciliation to take place.

Article based on a presentation given during the annual conference of the Association of American Geographers held February 2012.

Business Administration Thesis (M.B.A.)--University of Northern British Columbia, 2011.

Provides overview of the background, administration and processes of the law, discussion of issues and concerns, and recommendations for improvements.

Examines the injustices associated with Bill C-31 and argues that the Act will eventually lead to legal assimilation of Status Indians in Canada.

Addresses citizenship, identity, status, and Canadian policy. Chapter two from Moving Forward, Making a Difference, vol. 3, which is also vol. 5 in the Aboriginal Policy Research series. Originally presented at the second annual Aboriginal Policy Research Conference, 2006

1975 interview with Bark Jack and Bill Edmunds regarding education and natural resources.

Looks at the progress and recommendations since the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples (RCAP) final report in 1996.

Focuses on Commission's recommendations for dealing with, "The Indian people in the North of Ontario" and suggests circumstances and time may have eliminated any impact the recommendations could have achieved.

Brief summary of some to the discriminatory aspects of the Indian Act, such as Section 12 and Bill C-31.

Based on testimony before the Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples, April 21, 2015.

He gives an account of the Sioux participation in the War of 1812 on the side of the British, and the Sioux interpretation of the reward promised them by the British Crown; tells the history and whereabouts of the King George III medals given to the Sioux for their loyalty to the British Crown during the War of 1812; tells the story of two Sioux chiefs who were kidnapped in Manitoba and returned to the United States, presumably for their part in the 1862 Sioux uprising (Minnesota Massacre); tells of the dispersal of the Sioux in their flight from the U.S.

Lists resources in the areas of justice, health, literature, history, education, politics, etc.

Examines the transitions in governance in the territories and Northern provincial regions; and discusses the accomplishments, challenges and opportunities facing organizations in Northern communities.

Final Report concludes that Canada (the Crown) did not breach Treaty 1 when it permitted a surrender of the Band's reserve land. Commissioners include: Daniel J. Bellegarde, Alan C. Holman, and Sheila G. Purdy. [This file has been saved and made available online with permission from the Indian Claims Commission website before it closed down in March 2009.]

Claim for refund of taxes sold in village gave rise to a dispute as to whether or not it constituted a reserve since it was not created by treaty.

Three speakers provided overview of the issue and looked at contemporary and potential mechanisms for dealing with issues.

File contains a presentation by Charles Joseph Bernard, Jr. of the Whycocomagh First Nation. Bernard was a sitting member of the Nova Scotia Working Committee on the Constitution. He discusses the relationship of his people with the Government of Canada including the Sylliboy case, residential schools, Treaties, the Donald Marshall case, his thoughts on the Royal Commission, some of the problems facing Aboriginal youth today, the justice system, racism, self-governance, culture, government funding, and other issues pertaining to Aboriginal people in Canada.

File contains opening remarks by Commissioners Dussault and Erasmus from the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at the Hotel Bonaventure in Montreal, Quebec on Friday, May 7, 1993.

RCAP 169 contains a transcript of the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at Restigouche, Quebec. Subjects discussed are self-government and the Indian Act. Presentations can be viewed individually on this site.

RCAP 28 contains files from the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at the Thomas Cheechoo Memorial Centre, Moose Factory, Ontario. This sitting of the Commission contains verbal and written presentations primarily by elders in the Moose Factory area relating to education, the Indian Act, Aboriginal women's rights, self-government. Each submission can be viewed individually on this site.

File contains an opening prayer for the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at Sept Iles, Quebec, on November 19, 1992 (translated into English from the original French), followed by a historical account of the community provided by Commissioner of the day and President of the Elders, Montagnais Nation, Daniel Vachon.

File contains a presentation by Ms Evelyn Ballantyne from the Opasquiak Women's Centre. Ballantyne discusses three topics: Indian Act, Aboriginal self-government, Women's resources. Following the presentation is a discussion between Ms Ballentyne and Commissioners Blakeney and Chartrand regarding these topics.

File contains an individual presentation by Ann Bayne that first provides a history of the Kaska First Nations and the Liard Indian Band. Bayne describes her Band's struggle with a referendum addressing a hereditary system or elected system in determining the position of Chief. She believes that residents should have a choice in determining their leadership. Bayne also discusses abolishing the Indian Act, the need for personal development programs and calls for more treatment centres for substance abuse. Following the presentation is a discussion with Commissioner Allan Blakeney.

This file contains an individual presentation by Arnie General that expresses frustration with a number of topics, including taxation, Bill C-31, the Indian Act, and treaty obligations. A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.

File contains an individual presentation by Brian Tuesday stating that repealing the Indian Act "will not solve anything simply by reason of indoctrination; psychological conditioning." He believes self-determination "can't be legislated, it can't be negotiated, and it can't be enshrined in the Constitution, because it comes from within."

File contains an individual presentation by Charles Wagamese stating that the federal government has not fulfilled their treaty obligations and must fulfil them as representatives of the Queen. He calls for an end to patriarchy and for more input from elders relating to political leadership. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains an individual presentation by Claudette Chevrier-McLeod relating to the Goods and Services Tax (GST). She states that exemptions should be the same for Aboriginals who live both on and off reserves. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains an individual presentation by Danny Montour that focuses on the treaty Indian, the Indian Act and Bill C-31. He hopes that "the Government of Canada and the Indian people come to a reasonable level of mutual understanding as to the present-day meaning of the treaties." Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains an individual presentation by Linda Chipesia relating to land claims and self-government. The presenter believes that "(T)he difficulty of self-government and land claims is that although it is aimed at reviving the culture and identity of Indian people, it is only accessible to those who are educated and trained in the political, legal and economic intricacies of a non-Indian system."

This file contains an individual presentation by Lloyd Augustine discussing Aboriginal land claims and self-government. Augustine states that "(I)f a new relationship with Canada is to exist, then there must be some way that will obligate Canada to honour and respect our people and our original institutions, our agreements and our treaties, our rights as nations and to honour that status fully." A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.

File contains an individual presentation by Marlene Buffalo focusing primarily on self-determination - the right of every First Nations to choose its own form of government, to enjoy its spiritual and material patrimony without restriction, to live freely according to tradition and to be exempt from any form of subjection to any powerful nation or people. Buffalo states that self-government has been "effectively prevented by the due process of acculturation and the erosion of Aboriginal self-identification." Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains an individual presentation by Nellie Carlson, founder of the Aboriginal women's group 'Indian Rights for Indian Women' in the early 1970s. She reads a letter from 30 April 1992 that was sent to Prime Minister Brian Mulroney outlining concerns with land claims and discrimination relating to Aboriginal women, and with the overall negative effects of Bill C-31 on Aboriginal women. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains an individual presentation by Norman Yellowbird asking why Treaty Indians, such as he, are not represented under the umbrella of "Aboriginal Peoples." He states that if self-government is to take place, the Canadian government must address the treaties. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioner Allan Blakeney.

File contains an individual presentation by Peter Kelly that touches on a number of subjects that include the influence of elders, the drum and its meaning, legends and oral history, the Charlottetown Accord and the Indian Act. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains an individual presentation by Peter Nakogee, via translator, believing that this Commission will be productive and will result in positive changes for Aboriginal peoples, as opposed to Commissions past. One area of concern lies with programs not being available to off-reserve individuals. Nakogee calls for funding for better housing on reserves and for fire protection and ambulance service in the Moosonee-James Bay area.

File contains an individual presentation by Raymond Cutknife that questions how effective the Commission and its findings will be.

File contains an individual presentation by Richard Greene that touches on a number of topics, including Aboriginal urban housing, dismantling the Indian Act, and Aboriginal over-representation in the correctional system. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains an individual presentation by Richard Kelly that touches on a number of subjects, including the Indian Act, land claims and self-government, and the meaning of drum ceremonies and tobacco. Following the presentation are brief remarks by the Commissioners.

File contains an individual presentation by Rod Soosay that focuses on growing up in an alcoholic home and now he has raised his children without the presence of alcohol in their home. He also discusses the lack of identity he feels as a Cree person, an Aboriginal person and as a Canadian. Following the presentation is a brief question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains an individual presentation by Sinclair Cheechoo of the Moose Factory First Nation. He discusses the history of the difficult relationship between Aboriginal peoples and the Canadian government and society. Cheechoo also briefly mentions issues such as education and elders' influence on youth.

File contains an individual presentation by Tommy Keesick relating to the loss of two young people on his First Nations due to inhalants. He also touches on self-government, the influence of elders, alcohol and drug abuse and the Indian Act. Following the presentation is a brief question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains remarks and a presentation by Norman Evans, President, Pacific Metis Federation. Evans discusses Aboriginal history pre-contact and how the Metis became "Canada's forgotten people." He shares his frustration in dealing with the Canadian government and as a veteran of many Aboriginal organizations, he hopes this Royal Commission will fulfill its mandate to help make the lives of Aboriginals better. Following the presentation is a discussion with the Commissioners.

File contains opening remarks mainly by Chief Lorne Waditaka, Chief of the Wahpeton First Nation. Waditaka discusses national issues such as the Constitution and First Nations place in it, the development of self-governance structures, the need for continued federal responsibilities and the importance of the treaties, the Metis people and their place in Canada, urban aboriginals, justice issues, social issues, and what he hopes will be gained from the hearings of the Royal Commission. Waditaka then introduces Commissioners Bertha Wilson, Paul Chartrand, Rene Dussault, and Mary Sillet.