In his paper “Successful Integration Experiences From Around the World”, Joseph Quesnel examines the response of three diverse countries to the economic and social challenges facing their Indigenous populations: Mexico with its Meso-American peoples, the Japanese with...
Last fall, the Manitoba Premier threw cold water on any discussions over Western separation. During a CTV interview, the Premier informed a reporter that he had no time for that movement. Making a reference to marriage, he said good relationships are not built on...
Talking Points Treaty Annuities The talking points on modernizing treaty annuities are intended to provide an accessible means of conveying the key points to a general audience, with later translations into French and Cree (the largest Indigenous language group in...
Points de discussion _ la modernisation des annuités_ (Talking Points-FRENCH) Les points de discussion sur la modernisation des annuités visent à fournir un moyen de transmettre les points clés à un public général, plus tard avec les traductions en français et en crie...
Some of Canada's best doctors have suffered undue trouble for sharing their concerns with lockdowns, masks, social distancing and COVID-19 vaccines. Authorities in the medical profession have treated these physicians like apparent heretics under the threat of...
The economic consequences of COVID-19 and the shutdown of the economy are difficult to evaluate. But some of them have begun to appear and risk hindering recovery. Inflation is one of these harmful consequences. In the USA, consumer prices jumped 4.2 per cent in the...
Announced cuts to Aboriginal political organizations should not be seen as negative, but are an opportunity to re-focus on results-based priorities
Self-government is the best tool that native band governments have to improve governance. Custom band codes give indigenous communities the ability to design effective, accountable, and transparent governance. However, custom codes aren’t perfect, and they lack established internal resolution mechanisms. Aboriginal Affairs will not intervene in disputes when a band has decided to manage its own elections. Bands are left with no choice but to fight their issues in court.
Some case studies demonstrate that freedom from the Indian Act makes a difference in terms of quality of life for First Nations communities.
A flood of applications for Indian Status in Newfoundland should lead policy makers to re-think how they define membership criteria. In particular, the definition should be as limited as possible and ensure it only includes genuine members.
The federal NDP should stand united with its Manitoba provincial counterpart in supporting legislation that will ensure equitable property division between spouses on First Nations reserves.
The Ring of Fire deposit north of Thunder Bay, Ontario is expected to generate about $120 billion in economic activity over its entire life. The deposit includes chromite (used in stainless steel), as well as copper and nickel. Tony Clement, the treasury board...
First Nations with access to own source revenue can access funds on the bond market that allow them to finance large resource projects.
First Nations governments across the Prairies should support a new financial transparency law because the evidence shows that the best governed bands are the most transparent. They should also support the law because Frontier Centre data shows that most Prairie band members support financial transparency.
The Indian Act is an outdated and paternalistic law that impedes economic progress for First Nations communities across Canada. Fortunately, positive policy reform may be on the way. Recently, Saskatchewan MP Rob Clarke introduced a private member’s bill (Bill C-428)...