The Jean Allard I knew was a big man, a strong man, forceful, utterly determined. He had an adequate sense of his worth, but that was based more upon his ideas than on hubris. He had seen enough of the world’s troubles to have the essential humility of one who never...
Historically, Indigenous leaders at the time of treaty signing knew all too well that their traditional means of livelihood were changing with the arrival of settlers and the disappearance of the bison herds on the Prairies. They were realists who cared about their...
Aboriginal activists and their allies in Canada periodically engage in what they call "economic obstruction" against mining, oil, or logging companies. A recent example, one that received international attention, was the blockade of CN rail to protest the Keystone XL...
With the recent passing of Jean Allard (December 5, 2020), our country has lost one of our boldest thinkers. Jean Allard was a descendent of Red River settlers and was deeply involved with Manitoba’s Métis community and the political development of Canada’s...
COVID-19 has left a gaping hole in Quebec’s healthcare system. Lack of nursing personnel, testing shortages, overflooding hospitals and postponed surgeries have turned Quebec’s healthcare into complete chaos. "We must invest in the health-care system, which is in the...
Alarm bells ought to be ringing in Canada. Business, industrial and foreign direct investment have performed pitifully over the past decade, with no reason to believe there will be a turnaround any time soon. As noted by Steven Globerman of Western Washington...
The former Kapyong Barracks site, located on 160 acres of prime Winnipeg real estate, has been vacant since 2004. The Southern Chiefs’ Organization — the organization representing Treaty 1 First Nations in Southern Manitoba — has elected Jerry Daniels of Long Plain...
Graham Lane Canada has had 150 years to deal with a clash of civilizations between a pre-existing indigenous population and a massive influx of, initially, Europeans. With newcomers quickly out-numbering the indigenous population, spreading into lands occupied by...
Graham Lane Recently we have had worrisome news from Northern Manitoba. From the troubles of the Port of Churchill and its rail line, a scare from the Pas’ major employer and thoughts of moving the aboriginal-run casino, to continued plans to shut down parts of the...
Tom Flanagan and Lee Harding / November 2016 This paper examines 21 First Nations in Canada who scored highly on the 2011 Community Well-being Index (CWB), which is computed by researchers at the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs (INAC) after each census. The...
Over the last several decades, indigenous and non-indigenous Canadians have become increasingly interested in issues relating to financial transparency and accountability on Canadian reserves. Indigenous and non-indigenous governments have responded with various...
The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal ruled this week that federal financing of First Nations’ child-welfare services is inadequate and discriminatory, and thus violates the Human Rights Act. Recognizing that it lacks the expertise to reform child welfare, the...
In his speech to the Assembly of First Nations, Prime Minister Trudeau announced that his government will review the First Nations Financial Transparency Act, which requires First Nations to publish audited annual financial statements plus information about the...
Honest, efficient government that respects property rights and the rule of law facilitates the achievement of prosperity and well-being in all jurisdictions, including First Nations. Therefore, it would be useful to have an index of governmental performance for First...