Aboriginal Self-Determination Off a Land Base

Sherry L. Douglas-Keetch was a library technician in Longford Mills, Ontario.

John Weinstein is president of the Public Policy Nexus Group, based in Ottawa. He is former staff advisor to both the Native Council of Canada and the Métis National Council.

This background paper is part of a series produced by the Project on Aboriginal Peoples and Constitutional Reform. The Project’s research is aimed at clarifying concepts pertaining to aboriginal self-government. The Project also seeks to broaden public understanding on the subject.

Aboriginal Self-Determination concerns the situation of landless aboriginal peoples not stressed in the constitutional talks with Native people. These people live in the larger Canadian society, not on reserves. Section 37 of the Constitution does not clearly state how aboriginal self-determination off a land base will take place. The legislation does address many related issues.

This little book is divided into three sections, and handles a difficult legal subject very well. One drawback is that there are no references listed at the end. This is possibly because very little has been written on the subject.

In conclusion, Weinstein recommends a “bottom-up” approach to aboriginal constitutional participation. Some options are given to increase political representation of native peoples.

This book would be useful to individuals seeking information on the whole picture of aboriginal peoples and constitutional reform.