From National Post · Donna Kennedy-Glans · · 1m 10s
Indian Act Paternalism and Constitutional Lock-In
Manitoba's premier calls for Indian Act abolition while BC courts entrench Indigenous land rights secretly.
In brief
Manitoba's premier calls for Indian Act abolition while BC courts entrench Indigenous land rights secretly. The Indian Act should be abolished but constitutional lock-ins and secret land transfers undermine Indigenous self-determination. Originally reported by National Post.
Indian Act's history
The Indian Act is a race-based form of identification that has no place in a modern country.
“The Indian Act is a race-based form of identification that has no place in a modern country”
Political promises
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew called for Indian Act abolition while Prime Minister Mark Carney labeled it racist and anachronistic.
BC court case
The Haida Nation secured a constitutional declaration of Aboriginal title to Haida Gwaii through a consent order.
Legal secrecy
Provincial and federal governments quietly transferred 400 Crown land parcels with confidential agreements.
Conservative stance
New BC premier-designate Lorne Doerkson pledged to repeal the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.
Legal conflict
Section 35 consent orders cannot be undone by future governments while land transfers happen secretly.
Youth leadership
Young Indigenous leaders demand practical solutions over political promises for self-determination.
Systemic issue
Secret constitutional entrenchment and Crown land transfers undermine Indigenous self-determination despite promises of reform.
The headline
The Indian Act should be abolished but constitutional lock-ins and secret land transfers undermine Indigenous self-determination.
