Aboriginal Democracy
Nowhere has Western style Democracy been put to the test and found more wanting than in its effect on the Native Peoples of North America. Perhaps the Nisg'a Treaty in British Columbia, and the creation of the Territory of Nunavut in Northern Canada are indications of long overdue improvements in Democracy.
Native Peoples had a variety of forms of government, but there was a strong thread of democracy running through them. Respect for Nature, the spiritual values of Life, the ned to conserve, the honouring of a person as a person, the respect paid to everyone's opinion at Council, respect for an elected Leader - all these are democratic ideas.
The break-up of the tribal system of government led to a breakdown in their society. there followed a loss of self-respect and pride in their past and loss of hope in their future.
Can this idea of real Democracy revive the Aboriginal peoples? Could real Democracy be adapted to fit native culture and ideas of government? Only a native person can answer that question. But is this not what self-government is all about? The Native Peoples of Canada, and the World, must decide for themselves how to govern themselves.
In Canada, the problem facing land-claim settlement is, 'What is the base line for stepping out into the future?' There must be an acceptance of several premises. One is the fact of Canadian sovereignty over all land and sea within Canada's internationally recognized boundaries. This is an outcome of history. A second is the acceptance by the canadian Government that its treatment of the native peoples in the past was undemocratic and unfair. Future treatment must make up for past mistakes. In keeping with the essential core of Democracy, every native person, status or non-status, has the right to choose how he or she should fit into Canadian society, either under native rules or non-native rules. Areas of ancient habitation, should be given self-rule status, similar to incorporated townships. Ancient hunting/gathering areas should be shared with the Province in respect of resources, and there should be joint control over use and development.
Native Self-government
Canadian aboriginal Peoples are divided into two groups, Status, who live in reservations under the Indian Act, and Non-status, who have lost their position under the Indian Act and the benefits that come with that status. A repeal of the Indian Act, granting self-government would abolish this division and make the native people a whole people, but with different lifestyles. If a native person marries outside the tribe or moves into a city, it does not change him or her as a native person.
Every native person should be able to claim membership of a Tribe, or Nation of Origin, as well as being a Canadian Citizen. If a native person wishes to join the non-native system completely, this should be accepted as freedom of choice. It is analogous to an immigrant from Britain becoming a Canadian Citizen and not voting in British elections, but still being aware of his British roots. Movement back and forward between the groups should be untrammeled to allow for a change in lifestyle.
All extant tribes in Canada would elect a National Council of Elders. This Council divides its number into Task Forces to research and study specific areas of importance to the Native Nation of Canada. The Council's purpose is to ensure the survival of Aboriginal Peoples, not only of Canada, but of the whole World.
There should be direct representation of native people in both Federal and Provincial Houses of Representatives, where their main interests would be in such areas as Education, Culture, and Co-existence.
People choosing the native lifestyle want to live according to the traditions of their race. In this way they are no different from the English and French peoples of Canada. This is where there could be a great variety of systems in place. Depending on the size and nature of the native group, there may be room for three levels - the Tribal Council, The Band Council, and the Village Council.
A large tribal group may be split into Bands for geographical reasons, and find it easier to have a Tribal Council to deal with matters appropriate to be dealt with as a tribal concern. The band Council is a more cohesive unit with several village areas or communities within an enclosed geographical area. The Village Council has an elected Chief who chairs the Council and deals with very local matters.
All the Village Chiefs are members of the band Council, which supplies representatives to the Tribal Council. The Band Council deals with important matters close to the everyday life of the people. The Village Council puts the decisions of the Band Council into effect and deals with individual problems and minor Village matters.
