HUFFINGTON POST – The recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission were on the agenda of Canada’s premiers, meeting at Happy Valley-Goose Bay earlier this week. The Premiers did more than discuss the wide-ranging recommendations. They took the unusual step of endorsing the lengthy list, with Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Paul Davis saying, “We will together, jointly, make this happen.” It was a remarkable commitment, all the more so given the troubled history for provincial leaders on this file. Read More.
Tag Archives: Aboriginal Peoples
Tsilhqot’in ruling brings Canada to the table
GLOBE AND MAIL – This summer’s Tsilhqot’in aboriginal title decision was one of those rare Supreme Court of Canada rulings that points the country in a new direction, challenging governments, business and the general public to rethink the fundamental elements of national governance. READ MORE
Supreme Court has clarified aboriginal land rights: Coates
YUKON NEWS – The Yukon should be paying attention to two recent Supreme Court of Canada decisions on aboriginal land rights, says Ken Coates, senior fellow with the Macdonald-Laurier Institute.
Canada’s top court has issued two big decisions in the past month on the extent of First Nation control over land and resources.
In the first decision, the Supreme Court of Canada declared that the Tsilhqot’in First Nation has aboriginal title to its traditional territory, a vast swath of central B.C.
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Ruling ‘opens door’ for Metis land claims – Interesting times ahead, predicts Doucette
STARPHOENIX – A recent Supreme Court ruling will bolster First Nations land claims, but it also “opens the door” for Metis claims, says Metis Nation, Saskatchewan President Robert Doucette.
“I think it really opens the door. This will make times very interesting for Metis people,” Doucette said Sunday at the annual Back to Batoche festival approximately 75 kilometres northeast of Saskatoon.
Two University of Saskatchewan experts say Doucette could be right, development that could have a major implications. U of S Canada Research chair Ken Coates compared the ruling’s effect to the ripples caused by a stone thrown in a calm lake.
Tsilhqot’in ruling means ‘a stronger seat at the table’ for First Nations
THE HILL TIMES – First Nations have a much stronger bargaining position in negotiating with industry and governments over some $650-billion in planned resource development across the country following the Supreme Court’s recent ruling in favour of the Tsilhqot’in First Nation in British Columbia, say legal experts and indigenous activists.
First Nations hold the key to the Northern Gateway pipeline
GLOBE AND MAIL – The government of Canada has made an obvious and much-anticipated decision on the Northern Gateway pipeline, but the debate is far from over. Based on the report of the Joint Review Panel, which recommended approval subject to important modifications and conditions, and the government’s strong commitment to resource development, few expected the plan to be rejected.
Report arguing for mineral rights transfer to First Nations controversial
THE HILL TIMES – A Fraser Institute report calling for provincial governments to transfer control of non-energy mineral rights to aboriginal communities has experts talking about the proposal, with not everyone agreeing it’s a realistic policy move.
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Ken Coates speaks about the fix for Northern Gateway
SUN NEWS – Ken Coates, Senior Fellow, Macdonald-Laurier Institute speaks with Lorne Gunter about how natural resource wealth will shape relationships with between Aboriginal communities and the federal government.
Government Isn’t Only Key to Progress for Aboriginal People
THESTAR.COM – The answer to problems of Canada’s indigenous peoples is not, as UN rapporteur James Anaya suggests, more government action and investment alone. Read More
Scientific Wrangling Over Natural Gas and Climate Obscures the Need for Real Action
At its impressive Vancouver gathering, National Geographic asked a simple question: Is natural gas the bridge to a sustainable energy future? The meeting brought together an impressive group of industry specialists, community representatives, environmental activists, and Aboriginal leaders. The frank discussions ranged from highly specialized, technical observations to emotional appeals for environmental protection. No consensus emerged, but the open conversation provided an excellent indication of the range of options about natural gas alternatives for the world’s pending energy crisis.
The Great Energy Challenge Blog Post, National Geographic
Casino talks ‘positive first step’ expert says
THE STAR PHOENIX – Ken Coates comments on discussions of a possible sale of the Moose Jaw and Regina casinos to the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations. Read about his thoughts here.
New Beginnings: How Canada’s Natural Resource Wealth Could Re-shape Relations with Aboriginal People
The Way Out: New thinking about Aboriginal engagement and energy infrastructure to the West Coast
Education Gap Hurts Rural, Aboriginal Communities
THE WESTERN PRODUCER – In this op-ed Ken Coates highlights the challenges preventing rural and Aboriginal learners from accessing quality education.
Global Governance is a Two Way Street: James Anaya’s Visit to Canada
Internationalization and global governance occupy two-way streets, even for a wealthy country like Canada. For generations, Canadians have viewed the UN and other global governance institutions as operating in a single direction: taking resources from the well-to-do nations and redistributing them to poorer countries or regions in crisis. This country has been comfortable with this approach for a long time, dispatching peace-keeping troops, sending foreign aid and supporting many humanitarian and social justice initiatives around the world.
The Rise of the Fourth World Blog Post, CIGI Online.
Serving Rural and Aboriginal Communities: A Serious Gap in Educational Innovation
THE EVOLLLUTION – In this op-ed Ken Coates highlights the challenges preventing rural and Aboriginal leaners from accessing quality education.
From aspiration to inspiration: UNDRIP finding deep traction in Indigenous communities
Public discussion of UNDRIP has been surprisingly limited, both in Canada and on the international scene. The dramatic two-stage passage of the agreement – the initial positive vote by the UN General Assembly and the subsequent acceptance of the declaration by Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the USA – seemed to be a promising start that quickly lost political momentum. Aside from occasional mentions by Aboriginal leaders, the Declaration has languished on the pile of once-promising UN agreements, honored more in the breach than by concerted action.
The Rise of the Fourth World Blog Post, CIGI online.
UNDRIP Changes Indigenous Peoples Articulation of Both Problems and Solutions
The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) was defined at the time of its passage as an “aspirational document.” Those governments that resisted the declaration — Canada, United States, Australia and New Zealand in 2007 and which signed on later in 2010 — worried that the creation of international law on Aboriginal rights would elevate Indigenous expectations. This is precisely what appears to be happening.
The Rise of the Fourth World Blog Post, CIGI online
Northern Town of La Ronge Partners with Johnson-Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy
LAC LA RONGE NEWS – Students in Ken Coates’ course, JSGS 863: Aboriginal Peoples and Public Policy entered into an agreement with the town of La Ronge to work on a project analyzing community services in the town.
UNDRIP: Shifting From Global Aspiration to Local Realization
The Rise of the Fourth World Blog Post, CIGI online