Indigenous Self-Government and Self-Determination

Today, we will delve into the topic of Indigenous self-government and self-determination in Canada. This is a complex and multifaceted issue, and we will be drawing upon various scholarly resources to enhance our understanding.

To begin, let's define our key terms. Indigenous self-government refers to the formal structures and processes through which Indigenous communities manage their own affairs. It encompasses a broad range of governance models, from traditional systems based on Indigenous customs and laws, to modern institutions that blend Indigenous and non-Indigenous practices.

Self-determination, on the other hand, is a broader concept. It refers to the right of Indigenous peoples to freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social, and cultural development. It's about having control over the decisions that affect their lives and communities.

Now, let's look at some of the models of Indigenous self-government in Canada. One of the papers we'll reference is "Indigenous Self-Government in Canada: An Examination of the Inherent Right of Self-Government" by John Borrows. Borrows discusses the inherent right of self-government, which is recognized in Canadian law. This right allows Indigenous communities to govern their own affairs in areas such as education, land management, and resource allocation.

Another model is the self-government agreements. These are formal agreements between Indigenous communities and the federal government that outline the powers and responsibilities of each party. An example is the Nisga'a Final Agreement, which was the first modern treaty in British Columbia and the first in Canada to include self-government provisions.

We'll also discuss the role of treaties in Indigenous self-government. Treaties are legal agreements between the Crown and Indigenous nations, and they have played a significant role in shaping the landscape of Indigenous self-government in Canada. We'll delve into the specific case of Treaty 9, as discussed in the paper "Treaty 9 and the Responsibilities of the Crown" by Thomas Isaac and Anthony Knox.

Lastly, we'll examine the concept of self-determination and its implications for Indigenous communities in Canada. We'll reference the paper "Indigenous Self-Determination: The Root of Government Policies in Canada" by Yale Belanger and Gabrielle Slowey. This paper discusses how self-determination has been interpreted and implemented in Canada, and the impact it has had on Indigenous communities.

That concludes our overview for today. I encourage you to start reading the articles mentioned, and come prepared with questions for our next class. Remember, understanding these issues is not just about learning history, but about recognizing the ongoing struggles and successes of Indigenous communities in their pursuit of self-government and self-determination.

Sources:

• Borrows, J. (n.d.). Indigenous Self-Government in Canada: An Examination of the Inherent Right of Self-Government. 

• Isaac, T., & Knox, A. (n.d.). Treaty 9 and the Responsibilities of the Crown. 

• Belanger, Y., & Slowey, G. (n.d.). Indigenous Self-Determination: The Root of Government Policies in Canada. 

Some Canadian Examples of Indigenous Self-Government

• Pimicikamak government - An Indigenous self-government representing the Cross Lake First Nation in Manitoba.

• Self-Government - Métis Nation of Ontario - The Métis Nation of Ontario has been working towards self-government, recognizing the inherent right of Métis communities to govern their own affairs.

• Self Government - Whitecap Dakota First Nation - The Whitecap Dakota First Nation is a self-governing Indigenous Nation located near Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

• Anishinaabe Governance - The Anishinaabe Nation in Treaty#3 has been working towards self-governance.

• Governance - Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation - The Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation have established their own governance structures and laws.

• A Sovereign Path Forward - Real People's Media - This article discusses the path towards sovereignty and self-governance for Indigenous Nations in Canada.

• shíshálh Nation Self-Government Act - This is a federal law that recognizes the self-governance of the shíshálh Nation in British Columbia.

• Whitecap Dakota set to become 1st self-governing First Nation in Sask - A news article about the Whitecap Dakota First Nation becoming the first self-governing First Nation in Saskatchewan.

• Self-Government - NWT Métis Nation - The Northwest Territories Métis Nation has been working towards self-government.

• Anishinabek Nation and Canada celebrate key milestone on historic self-government agreement - This article discusses a historic self-government agreement between the Anishinabek Nation and the Canadian government.