The concept of Indigenous self-governance is something I think we’ve all probably heard of before, but what exactly is it?
The Canadian Encyclopedia defines the concept as a “formal structure through which Indigenous communities may control the administration of their people, land, resources and related programs and policies, through agreements with federal and provincial governments.” Basically, it’s an agreement with the federal or provincial government that allows an Indigenous community to make for themselves many of the decisions that the government would otherwise make.
How did this idea develop? Well, with the instatement of the Indian Act of 1876, traditional Indigenous governments were dismantled and replaced with governance in the form of ‘Indian Agents’ and what was then known as the Department of Indian Affairs. This system remained in place until an increasingly growing movement brought to light the idea of Indigenous self-government in the 1960s and 70s. Increasing activism and lobbying led to the Canadian Government affirming the Indigenous right to self-government in the Constitution Act of 1982, as well as in international documents. However, this right is still not completely preserved in the law.
What does Indigenous self-governance look like? Well, while there are several Indigenous groups who have achieved self-governance, the main example of Indigenous self-governance in Canada is the territory of Nunavut. At the same time as the aforementioned activism and lobbying in the 1960s-70s, the Inuit people in northern Canada were in the process of discussing land claims and considering better ways of government. With the formation of the Inuit Tapirisat of Canada, the Inuit people of Northern Canada were ready to submit their first land claim proposal in 1976. This led to a series of negotiations with the Canadian Federal Government, where both parties clashed over whether the preexisting Northwest Territories should be politically divided to create a new territory. Eventually, the idea of creating Nunavut was accepted by the Candian Government, and in 1979, the Northwest Territories were divided into two federal electoral districts - the eastern one (Nunatsiaq) being what went on to become Nunavut. After a plebiscite in which 56% of voters were in favour of division, the debate as to create a new territory was complete. On June 10th, 1993, the Canadian Government passed the Nunavut land Claims Agreement Act and the Nunavut Act. On April 1st, 1999, Nunavut officially became a Canadian territory.
The passing of these two acts was monumental, because the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement was the largest Indigenous land claims agreement in Canadian history, covering hundreds of thousands of kilometres. Nunavut runs itself with a similar system to the other provincial governments, while still affirming the Inuit (and other northern Indigenous peoples) right to govern themselves and represent their interests.
As of 2021, there are 25 Indigenous self-governance agreements in Canada, which involve 43 different Indigenous communities. There are also 50 ongoing negotiations for self-governance at this point in time.
Here is a map of their current self-governance agreement locations (Source: Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada)
Granting Indigenous peoples self-governance is an important step on the path to reconciliation. It provides them with many benefits, such as being able to make decisions for themselves that benefit their communities and aiding Indigenous peoples in regaining a connection to their cultures and traditions.
Sources:
William B. Henderson, "Indigenous Self-Government in Canada," Internet: https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/aboriginal-self-government [December 4th, 2020]
Peter Kikkert, "Nunavut," Internet: https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/nunavut#:~:text=The%20date%20of%20July%209,establishment%20of%20Nunavut%20in%201999. [July 8th, 2021]
Health Disparities Task Group of the Federal/Provincial/Territorial Advisory Committee on Population Health and Health Security, "Reducing Health Disparities – Roles of the Health Sector: Discussion Paper," Internet: //www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/ph-sp/disparities/pdf06/disparities_discussion_paper_e.pdf [December 2004]
Government of Canada, "Self-government," Internet: https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1100100032275/1529354547314 [August 25th, 2020]
The Government of Canada, "Implementation of modern treaties and self-government agreements: Provisional annual report: July 2015 -March 2018" Internet: https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1573225148041/1573225175098 [November 8th, 2019]
Written by: Danica
(Last Modified: August 15th, 2021)