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The links on these pages will help you get up to speed on native issues in Canada.
The more you know, the more you can participate in your own affairs,
whether you are of Chapleau Cree, or another first nation.
Lark

General

All about Judicial Reviews (A recourse to bad decisions, and abuse of power by chief, council or governing body)
Sometimes we need a recourse to bad decisions, or what we feel is an abuse of power. Since in Indian country, we have no 'real' ruling body that is Nation-ally* accepted as legitimate, the only avenue for review of a decision is through the federal courts of Canada. In such a review, the issue is looked at as if it were a review of proceedings of a federal board.

The booklet at the other end of this link gives you the basics of the judicial review process.

Consider this: If you have a legitimate reason, think twice about letting lawyers fully direct your activities. If your are clearly right, (and that is very open to interpretation) think about managing your lawyer, and thus managing your costs. You can also get a PDF version there, and save it on your computer for future reference.
* I use 'nation-ally' to indicate our First nations - - We still have not accepted our own authrority structure, and we sit in our own squabbles far too long because we do not have what we consider to be a legitimate ultimate venue for final decision in a dispute. It's time we create that universally accepted (legitimate) function for ourselves.

Canadian Laws: Challenging Online Hate
There are two types of Canadian law that seek to prevent expressions which promote hatred. One type of federal and provincial legislation is designed to prevent the promotion of hate propaganda. The second type of legislation seeks to prohibit the publishing or displaying of discriminatory notices, signs, symbols, emblems or other representations indicating discrimination or an intention to discriminate.The Canadian Human Rights Act forbids the communication of hate messages "by means of a telecommunication undertaking within the legislative authority of Parliament"

A Glossary of Terminology Used in Aboriginal Articles and Discussions

Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples - Final Report

**INDIAN BAND COUNCIL PROCEDURE REGULATIONS**
Chapter 950 - INDIAN ACT - REGULATIONS RESPECTING PROCEDURE AT INDIAN BAND COUNCIL MEETINGS

Corbiere Decision Background, With Questions and Answers)

A Discussion on Aboriginal Funding, Lending, Regulations, and Band Government

The FUTURE of First Nation Funding - Devolution
At one time, the Department of Indian Affairs directly managed the delivery of numerous programs in Indian communities; however, the delivery has now devolved significantly to First Nations. Currently, the Department's primary role is to design and manage funding arrangements that appropriately support program delivery in a manner consistent with devolution and to help First Nations position themselves to assume greater self-government responsibility. As more self-government agreements are negotiated, the Department's role is expected to diminish.

The FUTURE of First Nation TAXATION - Devolution
There is talk of replacing the Indian Act. The Federal Minister of Indian Affairs, Robert Nault, wants to bring in new rules on how First Nations operate. Mr. Nault also wants to beef up funding for Indian Band administrations, but one political scientist thinks some of that funding should come from Band members themselves.

What does self governance mean?
Aboriginal self–government, according to Canada, is the power, granted to aboriginal people within boundaries of Canada, to govern certain activities concerning themselves, within the existing structures of Canadian government, and with accordance to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Aboriginal self–government, according to First Nations, is the power to govern themselves as nations. Much as the Italians or Israelis or Swedes govern themselves, First Nations People want the same recognition to govern themselves as members in the global community.

Anishnaabe Government Compared to the Indian Act
A sample... Indian Act: "Chief and Council are accountable only to the Minister of Indian Affairs." - - Anishnaabe Government: "Council is accountable to e-dbendaagzijig to their own First Nation."("E-dbendaagzijig" means those who belong.)
The United Anishnaabeg Councils of the Chippewa, Mississauga and Pottawatomi, are among the original inhabitants of what is now Ontario. The Chippewa, Mississauga and Pottawatomi Nations are all Anishnaabe ("Nish-naw-be") peoples. Today, they are known as the United Anishnaabeg Councils. The current members of the United Anishnaabeg Councils are the Chippewa Nations of Beausoleil, Georgina Island, and Mnjikaning; the Mississauga Nations of Alderville, Curve Lake, Hiawatha, and Scugog Island; and the Pottawatomi Nation of Moose Deer Point.

A Brief Introduction to Aboriginal Law in Canada

INDIAN STATUS AND BAND MEMBERSHIP ISSUES - Court Cases
- Staff of the Parliamentary Research Branch (PRB) of the Library of Parliament -
The documents at this site were originally prepared for general distribution to Canadian Parliamentarians to provide background and analysis of issues that may arise in the course of their Parliamentary duties. They are made available as a service to the public.
In 1985, amendments to the Indian Act (Bill C-31) removed a number of discriminatory provisions from the Act. One result has been a significant increase in the size of the status Indian population. The changes also increased band control over membership and other aspects of community life. While eliminating some problems, in the ensuing decade the amendments have introduced a number of new political, social and financial issues for Indian communities. In recent years, membership-related disputes, often tied directly to Bill C-31, have resulted in a number of significant court cases.

Native Affairs Secretariat (ONAS)
The Ontario Native Affairs Secretariat (ONAS) supports the Minister Responsible for Native Affairs. The Secretariat provides corporate Aboriginal policy development and management support, and negotiates and settles land claims.The Secretariat also monitors where appropriate, self-government negotiations led by the federal government.

An Introduction to Aboriginal Claims in Canada
Debate about Aboriginal land rights has engulfed Canada for many years. Aboriginal groups (Inuit, Indian, Metis} have placed their claims before the provincial and federal governments, but these claims have been repeatedly shelved. First Nations in Canada have signed agreements with the Crown, called treaties. There are three groups of treaties: Pre-Confederation Treaties, Numbered Treaties, and Modern Treaties (Land Claims).

Muskeg Lake Urban Reserve Negotiations (INAC)
The Muskeg Lake Cree Nation and the City of Saskatoon forged into uncharted territory when they negotiated the details for their urban reserve. While reserves in urban areas, such as Musqueam in Vancouver and St. Mary's in Fredericton-Nashwaaksis are not unique, they became urban because cities expanded around them. The establishment of a new reserve on land previously under municipal jurisdiction was precedent-setting.

Social and Economic Impacts of Aboriginal Land Claim Settlements (Aboriginal Affairs, BC)
Aboriginal land claims have occurred in many countries and are ongoing today. Over the last twenty- five years, modern treaties and a variety of other land claim settlements have taken place in several countries including Canada, USA, Australia, and New Zealand. Resolution of land claims has occurred for a number of reasons. Land claim settlements have taken several forms. The Comprehensive Claims Settlement Process in Canada was initiated in the 1970's to address outstanding aboriginal claims, generally where treaties did not exist. In an international context, comprehensive settlements refer to any settlement that involves a range of components such as transfer of title to land ownership, cash, rights to resources, and involvement in resource and economic management. While there is no blueprint for land claim settlements, there are common factors which have emerged, particularly for those of a comprehensive nature.


Business - Economic Development

A Handbook of Financial Terms

THE PROCUREMENT STRATEGY FOR ABORIGINAL BUSINESS (INAC)

Key Aboriginal Documents (Business)


Health

The First Nations and Inuit Health Branch (FNIHB - Health Canada)


Self Government

The Elected Band System Versus Traditional Forms of Native Government

The Oldest Living Participatory Democracy on Earth
The people of the Six Nations, also known by the French term, Iroquois Confederacy, call themselves the Hau de no sau nee (ho dee noe sho nee) or People of the Longhouse. Located in the northeastern region of North America, originally the Six Nations was five and included the Mohawks, Oneidas, Onondagas, Cayugas, and Senecas. The sixth nation, the Tuscaroras, migrated into Iroquois country in the early eighteenth century. Together these peoples comprise the oldest living participatory democracy on earth. Their story, and governance truly based on the consent of the governed, contains a great deal of life-promoting intelligence for those of us not familiar with this area of North American history.


Aboriginal Justice

Prospects for Aboriginal Justice in Canada
Though calls for changes in the realms of both aboriginal-governmental relations and aboriginal justice come from many quarters, just what these changes might entail, and how they will dovetail with the dominant Euro-Canadian governmental and justice systems, are still a matter of some discussion and debate.