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Proceedings Of Expert Forum On First Nations Social Assistance Reform, September 3, 2019, Naiomi Metallic, Fred Wien

Articles, Book Chapters, & Popular Press

Social assistance, whether directed to the mainstream population or to First Nations, is not – according to Forum participants -- a sexy topic. Specifically, with respect to First Nation persons living on reserve in Canada, it has been largely a neglected field except for those directly responsible for administering it. Despite its substantive importance, it has not received a lot of attention from the academic research community, for example, nor is it usually near the top of the list of priorities for political leaders and governments.

Why is this the case? Perhaps it has to do with the history of …

Report To Parliament - On The Readiness Of First Nations Communities And Organizations To Comply With The Canadian Human Rights Act, Naiomi Metallic

Reports & Public Policy Documents

Enacted in 1977, the Canadian Human Rights Act (CHRA) aims to ensure equality of opportunity and freedom from discrimination in federal jurisdiction. At the time that the CHRA was passed, however, it was understood that adjustments would have to be made before the federal government and First Nations operating under the Indian Act could be fully compliant with the new law. As a result, section 67 of the CHRA explicitly shielded the federal government and First Nations community governments from complaints of discrimination relating to actions arising from or pursuant to the Indian Act. This was intended to be a …

Beyond Blood: Rethinking Aboriginal Identity And Belonging, Pamela Palmater

PhD Dissertations

The traditional Aboriginal Nations in Canada, like the Mi'kmaq, Mohawk, or Maliseet, have been divided into multiple Indian bands. Their vast traditional territories have been taken up for settlement and the little land that remains in their possession is concentrated in tiny reserves. Similarly, traditional Aboriginal identities have been divided into so many legal and political units, that even families can be divided along these same lines. Many Aboriginal people now identify as status and non-status Indians, with further sub-categories like 6(1) and 6(2) status Indians, or original members and restored members. Single communities can be bitterly divided along these …

An Empty Shell Of A Treaty Promise: R. V. Marshall And The Rights Of The Non-Status Indians, Pamela Palmater

Dalhousie Law Journal

One of the difficult issues presented by R. v. Marshall is that of who is a Mi'kmaq person, or more generally who is entitled to claim to be a beneficiary of the Treaties of 1760-61. This paper examines a number of possible approaches to this matter, including ones based on residence (on or off reserve), descent and the terms of the Indian Act. It notes the deficiencies of existing tests and of Canadian case law that has addressed Aboriginal identity in other contexts. It concludes by noting that the negotiations which must follow in the wake of Marshall present the …

A Note About In The Rapids, Wendy Whitecloud

Dalhousie Law Journal

In The Rapids presents the views of the authors regarding First Nations people in Canada and the issues confronting them as individuals, within their nations, and within their communities. Mary Ellen Turpel and Ovide Mercredi are both First Nations Individuals. They share their own points of view and provide information with respect to these issues in their book. Throughout the book the authors share information by canvassing issues like the significance of Treaties to First Nations people; the provisions of the Indian Act and its effects on First Nations people; disputes over lands and resources; the social consequences of the …