First Nations in Special Interest Groups
First Nations in Special Interest Groups
First Nations Peoples, more than other Canadians, may have a vested interest in pursuing or joining an interest/pressure group. The needs and demands of particular First Nations are often not met by those who govern them. They have constant issues with regards to natural resources, interpretation of treaty, and funding from Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, just to name a few. These issues, among others are taking place at not only the provincial level, but more so the federal level. This makes it vital to give all First Nations People an opportunity to belong to a group which may allow their voices to be heard. At the municipal level Chiefs are elected to govern reserves. At the provincial level, here in Saskatchewan, we have the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations. At the federal level there is the Assembly of First Nations. An interest group which is an “organization that pursues the common interest of groups of people, particularly by trying to influence the making and implementation of public policies” is exactly what the Assembly of First Nations is. This paper will discuss the AFN and how that particular interest group is beneficial to all First Nations across Canada. It will also discuss the problems that arise for such a group. And than it will end with the argument of why the AFN is good for all First Nations People and a summary of all points argued throughout the paper.
Background of the AFN? Prior to becoming the AFN, the group was known as the National Indian Brotherhood. This group disbanded form the previous National Indian Council and moved on with the Treaty and Status people forming the NIB. Early on in the late 1960’s, gaining recognition was troubling. It was difficult for all First Nations to get on the same page.
But when the Federal Liberals revealed the White Paper in 1969, which called for the assimilation of all FN peoples into mainstream Canada, The NIB quickly
First Nations Peoples, more than other Canadians, may have a vested interest in pursuing or joining an interest/pressure group. The needs and demands of particular First Nations are often not met by those who govern them. They have constant issues with regards to natural resources, interpretation of treaty, and funding from Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, just to name a few. These issues, among others are taking place at not only the provincial level, but more so the federal level. This makes it vital to give all First Nations People an opportunity to belong to a group which may allow their voices to be heard. At the municipal level Chiefs are elected to govern reserves. At the provincial level, here in Saskatchewan, we have the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations. At the federal level there is the Assembly of First Nations. An interest group which is an “organization that pursues the common interest of groups of people, particularly by trying to influence the making and implementation of public policies” is exactly what the Assembly of First Nations is. This paper will discuss the AFN and how that particular interest group is beneficial to all First Nations across Canada. It will also discuss the problems that arise for such a group. And than it will end with the argument of why the AFN is good for all First Nations People and a summary of all points argued throughout the paper.
Background of the AFN? Prior to becoming the AFN, the group was known as the National Indian Brotherhood. This group disbanded form the previous National Indian Council and moved on with the Treaty and Status people forming the NIB. Early on in the late 1960’s, gaining recognition was troubling. It was difficult for all First Nations to get on the same page.
But when the Federal Liberals revealed the White Paper in 1969, which called for the assimilation of all FN peoples into mainstream Canada, The NIB quickly
Bibliography: "Assembly Of First Nations News and Media National Chief Atleo Opening Remarks - AFN Water Rights Conference." Assmebly Of First Nations. 9 March 2012 <http://www.afn.ca/index.php/en/news-media/latest-news/national-chief-atleo-opening-remarks-afn-water-rights-conference>. Cairns, Alan C. Citrizens Plus. Vancouver: UBC PRESS, 2000. Dunn, Eric Mintz Livianna Tossutti Christopher. Democracy, Diversity, and Good Government. Toronto : Pearson Canada, 2011. Gadacz, James S. Frideres Rene R. Aboriginal Peoples IN Canada. Toronto: Pearson Canada, 2005. -------------------------------------------- [ 1 ]. Eric Mitz, Livianna Tossutti, Christopher Dunn, Democracy, Diversity, and Good Government (Toronto, Pearson Canada: 2011) 172 [ 2 ]. James S Frideres and Rene R. Gadacz, Aboriginal Peoples in Canada (Toronto, Ontario: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2005) 326 [ 3 ]. Alan C. Cairns, Citizens Plus (UBC Press, 2000) 84. [ 4 ]. Assembly of First Nations National Chief Atleo Opening Remarks – AFN Water Rights Conference, 9 March 2012< http://www.afn.ca/index.php/en/news-media/latest-news/national-chief-atleo-opening-remarks-afn-water-rights-conference>