Aboriginal peoples and Canadian federalism : an overview / by Douglas M. Brown.: Z1-1991/1-41-142E-PDF

“The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the issues involved in the intersection of Aboriginal rights, interests and perspectives and the Canadian federal system as a whole. The intent is not to attempt to fit Aboriginal aspirations or positions into the Procrustean bed of Canadian federalism. The authors' own biases should be stated at the outset as in favour of a continuing and viable federal community of Canada, one which includes Aboriginal Peoples as much as possible on their own terms. That having been said, this paper is not meant to be prescriptive except to point out the several avenues for further inquiry, debate and negotiation. Rather the objective is to present a broad discussion of the federal system in Canada as it affects Aboriginal interests, exploring issues and options which may or may not entail the full integration of Aboriginal Peoples into the federal community. In the process, this paper will illuminate some of the potential for adaptation in the federal system to meet the requirements of Aboriginal self-determination, as well as the ways in which Aboriginal political culture and institutions can help to redefine the meaning of Canadian federalism. As outlined further in this text, there is a potentially large range of options for framing the basic relationship of Aboriginal Peoples and the Canadian state, from international sovereignty through confederal solutions to integration within the existing federal system. While this paper reaches a conclusion favouring the latter option, we also discuss, where appropriate, the significance of other options"--Intro., p. 3-4.

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Publication information
Department/Agency Canada. Privy Council Office.
Canada. Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples.
Title Aboriginal peoples and Canadian federalism : an overview / by Douglas M. Brown.
Publication type Monograph
Language [English]
Format Electronic
Electronic document
Note(s) Historical publication digitized by the Privy Council Office of Canada.
Cover title.
"Paper prepared for the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples."
Includes bibliographical references.
Publishing information [Ottawa] : Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, [1995]
Author / Contributor Brown, Douglas M.(Douglas Mitchell),1954-
Description i, 91 p.
Catalogue number
  • Z1-1991/1-41-142E-PDF
Edition Rev. August, 1995.
Subject terms Commissions of inquiry
Aboriginal peoples
Federal government
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