Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples
Encyclopedia
The Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples (RCAP) was a Canadian
Royal Commission
established in 1991 to address many issues of aboriginal
status that had come to light with recent events such as the Oka Crisis
and the Meech Lake Accord
. The commission culminated in a final report of 4000 pages, published in 1996. To date the federal government has not implemented the RCAP recommendations.Feb 2010 The original report "set out a 20year agenda for implementing changes."
, Inuit
and Métis
), the Government of Canada
, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
and part of the Culture of Canada
as a whole. It proposed specific solutions, rooted in domestic and international experience, to the problems which have plagued those relationships and which confront aboriginal peoples
today. The Commission examined many issues which it deems to be relevant to any or all of the Aboriginal peoples in Canada
. The study of the historical relations between the government and aboriginal people, in order to determine the possibility of Aboriginal self-government, and the legal status of previous agreements that included, the Royal Proclamation of 1763
, the Indian Act
, the Numbered treaties
and Aboriginal case law
.
), Peter Meekison, Viola Robinson, Mary Sillett, and Bertha Wilson
, and was chaired by René Dussault, and Georges Erasmus
. The Commission issued its final report in November 1996. The five-volume, 4,000-page report covered a vast range of issues; its 440 recommendations called for sweeping changes to the relationship between Aboriginal, non-Aboriginal people and the governments in Canada.
Some of the major recommendations included the following:
for forced integration of Aboriginal Peoples. Referring to the abandonment of Aboriginal languages, cultures and traditions
.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
Royal Commission
Royal Commission
In Commonwealth realms and other monarchies a Royal Commission is a major ad-hoc formal public inquiry into a defined issue. They have been held in various countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Saudi Arabia...
established in 1991 to address many issues of aboriginal
Aboriginal peoples in Canada
Aboriginal peoples in Canada comprise the First Nations, Inuit and Métis. The descriptors "Indian" and "Eskimo" have fallen into disuse in Canada and are commonly considered pejorative....
status that had come to light with recent events such as the Oka Crisis
Oka Crisis
The Oka Crisis was a land dispute between a group of Mohawk people and the town of Oka, Quebec, Canada which began on July 11, 1990 and lasted until September 26, 1990. At least one person died as a result...
and the Meech Lake Accord
Meech Lake Accord
The Meech Lake Accord was a package of proposed amendments to the Constitution of Canada negotiated in 1987 by Prime Minister Brian Mulroney and ten provincial premiers. It was intended to persuade the government of the Province of Quebec to endorse the 1982 Canadian Constitution and increase...
. The commission culminated in a final report of 4000 pages, published in 1996. To date the federal government has not implemented the RCAP recommendations.Feb 2010 The original report "set out a 20year agenda for implementing changes."
Scope
The Commission of Inquiry investigate the evolution of the relationship among aboriginal peoples (First NationsFirst Nations
First Nations is a term that collectively refers to various Aboriginal peoples in Canada who are neither Inuit nor Métis. There are currently over 630 recognised First Nations governments or bands spread across Canada, roughly half of which are in the provinces of Ontario and British Columbia. The...
, Inuit
Inuit
The Inuit are a group of culturally similar indigenous peoples inhabiting the Arctic regions of Canada , Denmark , Russia and the United States . Inuit means “the people” in the Inuktitut language...
and Métis
Métis people (Canada)
The Métis are one of the Aboriginal peoples in Canada who trace their descent to mixed First Nations parentage. The term was historically a catch-all describing the offspring of any such union, but within generations the culture syncretised into what is today a distinct aboriginal group, with...
), the Government of Canada
Government of Canada
The Government of Canada, formally Her Majesty's Government, is the system whereby the federation of Canada is administered by a common authority; in Canadian English, the term can mean either the collective set of institutions or specifically the Queen-in-Council...
, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
The Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development is the department of the government of Canada with responsibility for policies relating to Aboriginal peoples...
and part of the Culture of Canada
Culture of Canada
Canadian culture is a term that explains the artistic, musical, literary, culinary, political and social elements that are representative of Canada and Canadians, not only to its own population, but people all over the world. Canada's culture has historically been influenced by European culture and...
as a whole. It proposed specific solutions, rooted in domestic and international experience, to the problems which have plagued those relationships and which confront aboriginal peoples
Indigenous peoples
Indigenous peoples are ethnic groups that are defined as indigenous according to one of the various definitions of the term, there is no universally accepted definition but most of which carry connotations of being the "original inhabitants" of a territory....
today. The Commission examined many issues which it deems to be relevant to any or all of the Aboriginal peoples in Canada
Aboriginal peoples in Canada
Aboriginal peoples in Canada comprise the First Nations, Inuit and Métis. The descriptors "Indian" and "Eskimo" have fallen into disuse in Canada and are commonly considered pejorative....
. The study of the historical relations between the government and aboriginal people, in order to determine the possibility of Aboriginal self-government, and the legal status of previous agreements that included, the Royal Proclamation of 1763
Royal Proclamation of 1763
The Royal Proclamation of 1763 was issued October 7, 1763, by King George III following Great Britain's acquisition of French territory in North America after the end of the French and Indian War/Seven Years' War...
, the Indian Act
Indian Act
The Indian Act , R.S., 1951, c. I-5, is a Canadian statute that concerns registered Indians, their bands, and the system of Indian reserves...
, the Numbered treaties
Numbered Treaties
The numbered treaties are a series of eleven treaties signed between the aboriginal peoples in Canada and the reigning Monarch of Canada from 1871 to 1921. It was the Government of Canada who created the policy, commissioned the Treaty Commissioners and ratified the agreements...
and Aboriginal case law
Canadian Aboriginal law
Canadian Aboriginal law is the body of Canadian law that concerns a variety of issues related to aboriginal peoples in Canada. Aboriginal law provides certain rights to land and traditional practices...
.
Final report
Members of the Commission traveled to numerous Aboriginal communities to interview Aboriginal peoples on their past and current condition. The commission consisted of several high-profile Aboriginal members and jurists, including Paul Chartrand (Commissioner of the Aboriginal Justice Implementation CommissionAboriginal Justice Implementation Commission
The Aboriginal Justice Implementation Commission was created by the Government of Manitoba, Canada in November, 1999, and issued its final report on June 29, 2001. The purpose was "to develop an action plan based on the original Aboriginal Justice Inquiry recommendations."-External links:**...
), Peter Meekison, Viola Robinson, Mary Sillett, and Bertha Wilson
Bertha Wilson
Bertha Wernham Wilson, CC was a Canadian jurist and the first woman Puisne Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada.-Early life:...
, and was chaired by René Dussault, and Georges Erasmus
Georges Erasmus
Georges Henry Erasmus, OC is a Canadian Aboriginal politician. He was the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations from 1985 to 1991....
. The Commission issued its final report in November 1996. The five-volume, 4,000-page report covered a vast range of issues; its 440 recommendations called for sweeping changes to the relationship between Aboriginal, non-Aboriginal people and the governments in Canada.
Some of the major recommendations included the following:
- Legislation, including a new Royal Proclamation stating Canada’s commitment to a new relationship and companion legislation setting out a treaty process and recognition of Aboriginal nations and governments.
- Recognition of an Aboriginal order of government, subject to the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, with authority over matters related to the good government and welfare of Aboriginal peoples and their territories.
- Replacement of the federal Department of Indian Affairs with two departments, one to implement the new relationship with Aboriginal nations and one to provide services for non-self-governing communities.
- Creation of an Aboriginal parliament.
- Expansion of the Aboriginal land and resource base.
- Recognition of Métis self-government, provision of a land base, and recognition of Métis rights to hunt and fish on Crown land.
- Initiatives to address social, education, health (Indian Health Transfer PolicyIndian Health Transfer Policy (Canada)The Indian Health Transfer Policy of Canada, provided a framework for the assumption of control of health services by Aboriginal Canadians and set forth a developmental approach to transfer centred on the concept of self-determination in health. Through this process, the decision to enter into...
) and housing needs, including the training of 10,000 health professionals over a ten-year period, the establishment of an Aboriginal peoples’ university, and recognition of Aboriginal nations’ authority over child welfare.
Criticism
In an uncharacteristic move, Erasmus denounced the historical role of the Roman Catholic Church in CanadaRoman Catholicism in Canada
The Catholic Church in Canada is part of the worldwide Catholic Church, under the spiritual leadership of the Pope and the Canadian Bishops Conference. It has the largest number of followers of a religion in Canada with 46% of Canadians baptized as Catholics...
for forced integration of Aboriginal Peoples. Referring to the abandonment of Aboriginal languages, cultures and traditions
Native American mythology
Native American mythology is the body of traditional narratives associated with Native American religion from a mythographical perspective. Native American belief systems include many sacred narratives. Such spiritual stories are deeply based in Nature and are rich with the symbolism of seasons,...
.
See also
- The Canadian Crown and Aboriginal peoples
- Indian RegisterIndian RegisterThe Indian Register is the official record of Status Indians or Registered Indians in Canada. Status Indians have rights and benefits that are not granted to unregistered Indians, Inuit, or Métis, the chief benefits of which include the granting of reserves and of rights associated with them, an...
- Congress of Aboriginal PeoplesCongress of Aboriginal PeoplesCongress of Aboriginal Peoples founded in 1971 as the Native Council of Canada, is a Canadian aboriginal organization, that represents Aboriginal Peoples who live off Indian reserves, either in urban and rural areas across Canada.Each CAP affiliate has its own constitution and is separately...
- Aboriginal Justice Implementation CommissionAboriginal Justice Implementation CommissionThe Aboriginal Justice Implementation Commission was created by the Government of Manitoba, Canada in November, 1999, and issued its final report on June 29, 2001. The purpose was "to develop an action plan based on the original Aboriginal Justice Inquiry recommendations."-External links:**...
- Human rights in CanadaHuman rights in CanadaSince signing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948, the Canadian government has attempted to make universal human rights a part of Canadian law...