The Pros and the Cons of Abolishing the Indian Act (Part 1)

Recent events has brought issues of treaties, reserves, land claims, and the Indian Act to the forefront of political discourse in Canada. The speaker has written extensively on aboriginal history, culture and politics and has a keen understanding of the relationship between Aboriginal Peoples and the Government of Canada. As part of the U of L Native Awareness Week, the speaker will explain the many issues involved regarding the Indian Act. He will also discuss whether a very different relationship between Aboriginal Peoples and the Government of Canada is necessary in order to effect real change and lasting co-operation. Speaker: Paul Chartrand LL.M. Paul Chartrand is now providing consulting and advisory services on Aboriginal issues following a university career specializing in law and policy relating to indigenous peoples. He is from the Metis community of St Laurent Manitoba. He has held academic appointments in universities in Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the USA, including that of tenured Professor of Law at the College of Law at the University of Saskatchewan, Visiting Scholar at Australian National University in Canberra and Director of the Aboriginal Governance graduate program at the University of Winnipeg. The author of some 60 publications, he has advised indigenous organizations on domestic and international issues, including the UN Declaration on The Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Canadian First Ministers Conferences on Aboriginal Constitutional Reform (1984-1991). He served as a commissioner on the federal Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples (RCAP), the Manitoba Aboriginal Justice Implementation Commission (AJIC), and as a founding director of the Aboriginal Healing Foundation. He was also the first President and CEO of the Institute on Indigenous Government in Vancouver. Moderator: Linda Many Guns Date:Thursday, March 6, 2014 Time: 4:00 – 6:00 pm Location: Room PE275, First Choice Saving Centre, University of Lethbridge Free event, free parking, everyone welcome