1. Minorities and Social Conflicts
Multiculturalism
Women’s Empowerment
Aboriginal Rights

2. Multiculturalism Act 1988
Bill C-93 was enacted in Parliament to provide a legal framework for existing multiculturalism policies across Canada
Aimed to reinforce racial and cultural equality with legal authority
Ensured all federal institutions took into account the multicultural reality in Canada

3. Empowerment?
Women’s empowerment in North America is often illustrated by their freedom of sexuality
However
Other more conservative cultures may view open sexuality and a lack of modesty as the normalization of exploitation of women's bodies
Major debate relevant to the post 9/11 era regaurding the burka

4. Oka Crisis
The Oka Crisis was a 78-day standoff (11 July–26 September 1990) between Mohawk protesters, police, and army. At the heart of the crisis was the proposed expansion of a golf course and development of condominiums on disputed land that included a Mohawk burial ground.

5. Oka Crisis Significance
Served as a wake up call to the government and people of Canada that Aboriginal people were going to fight for their rights
The crisis played an important role in the establishment of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples

6. Phil Fontaine
1990 Fontaine became one of the first people to speak publicly about the physical, psychological, and sexual abuse he received while a student at the residential schools.
called for a public inquiry.
This led other former students to open up about their experiences
June 11, 2008 apology from the Canadian government

7. Assembly of First Nations
In 1982, it was formed to represent all Aboriginal peoples in their dealings with the federal government
Pressured political leaders for legal recognition of Aboriginal rights

8. Assembly of First Nations Victory
As a result of their lobbying, Aboriginal rights were implemented in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms
ALSO
1985 Parliament passed Bill C-31 which gave Aboriginal Band councils the power to decide who had the right to live on reserves

9. Desire for Self-Government
Aboriginal peoples argued that self- government would give them the right to manage resources and gain control of their education, culture, and justice systems
Give them then power to manage the social and political elements of their communities

10. Types of Land Claims
Specific Claims
Comprehensive Claims
Arisen in areas where treaties between Aboriginal peoples and the federal government have been signed, but the terms have not been kept
Ex. Agreed upon size of reserve lands have decreased as land was taken away for building projects
Have questioned the ownership of land in large parts of Canada that were never surrendered by treaty
BC Treaties

11. BC Treaties
Most land claims in BC are Comprehensive as Aboriginal nations never officially gave up their land claims to most of what is now BC
The Royal Proclamation of declared that “any lands whatever which have not been ceded to or purchased by us…are reserved to the..Indians”

12. BC Treaties
Opponents of the Royal Proclamation say this is not valid as BC was not known to the British when the proclamation was made
They assert the rights of discover and conquer
Some First Nations have no proof of continuous occupation of the land

13. Supreme Court Rules on Aboriginal Title
In 1997, the Supreme Court of Canada defined Aboriginal title
Ruled that Aboriginal groups could claim ownership of land if they can prove that they occupied the land before the Canadian government claimed sovereignty, and that they occupied it continuously and exclusively

14. Nisga’a Land Dispute
1912 Nisga’a became the first group to make a land claim against the Canadian government
Indian Act makes it illegal to raise funds for land claims
1968 they take the fight to court
1991 the BC government recognized Aboriginal title and the Nisga’a right to self government

15. Nisga’a Land Settlement
1996 Settlement gave them
a small percentage of their original claimed lands
Ownership of forests
Partial profits from fisheries and hydro development
Rights to develop their own municipal gov and police
Paid $196 million for lost lands
Agree to become taxpayers and give up status

16. Nunavut
Created in 1999, and resulted from the largest land treaty negotiated in Canada
Gave the Inuit political control over 2 million square kilometers of the eastern arctic
Argued that they occupied the land before the Canadian government claimed sovereignty, and that they occupied it continuously and exclusively

17. Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples
Created after the Oka Crisis to study issues affecting Aboriginal peoples
Concluded that sweeping changes were needed to help mend the relationship between Aboriginal peoples and government
Presented strategies to help end economic divide between Aboriginal peoples and non- Aboriginal peoples

18. Canada Gets an F in Aboriginal Affairs
2001 the Assembly of First Nations evaluated how the government was acting on the recommendations
Results were
1 in 4 First Nations children in poverty compared to 1 in 6 Canadian children
Life expectancy 7.4 years less for men and 5.2 years less for women than non-Aboriginal peoples
Unemployment over 50% and rises to over 60% for those without high school education
Canada voted against the UN Declaration on the Rights of Aboriginal Peoples