Aboriginal Self Government

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A variety of social problems in Aboriginal communities which are the continued result of a legacy of colonialism, as well as of more contemporary socioeconomic issues, continue to be the driving forces behind a movement for Aboriginal self-government. In order for self-government to be an effective method of addressing socioeconomic problems facing the contemporary general Aboriginal community, action by or treaties with the federal, provincial or territorial governments may sometimes be beneficial, but they cannot be relied upon. The federal and provincial governments have been ineffective, overall, in the resolution of socioeconomic problems which are the central legacy of colonialism. A solution to Aboriginals’ socioeconomic problems, therefore, must involve Aboriginal institutions of self-government strong enough to address these legacies of colonialism in a partnership, but not subordinate or dependent relationship, with the Canadian government. The majority of First Nations bands, or small communities, and reserves are still subject to the Federal government’s “Indian Act”, which keeps the balance of power shifted to a great extent in favour of the Federal government. At the turn of the 20th century, the Canadian government still had the legal authority to make unilateral decisions, even involving the termination of treaties negotiated with Aboriginal communities. Furthermore, some of these treaties involving land claims which remained had, as of 1990, been unresolved for over fifteen years. This is in spite of the fact that even the federal government has recognized the settling of land claims as an essential part of Aboriginal communities’ economic development. Aboriginals themselves clearly believe that not only land claims, but control over their affairs in general, is essential to their ability to uphold their rights in the context of Canadian

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