Overview

Expanding Knowledge

National Aboriginal Initiative

The Commission’s National Aboriginal Initiative coordinates Commission activities related to First Nations and Aboriginal issues, with an emphasis on knowledge development, prevention and alternative dispute resolution.

1. Objective
2. Repeal of Section 67 of the CHRA 
3. Statements, Reports, Projects and Policies
4. Publications
5. Links and Resources
6. Related Information
7. Contact Information

1. Objective

The National Aboriginal Initiative's objective is to strengthen relations with Aboriginal groups and foster a dialogue on how to incorporate the unique context of First Nations communities into human rights protection mechanisms. Its focus is on making the Commission’s programs more accessible and culturally sensitive to First Nations people and communities, and on supporting First Nations human rights.

2. Repeal of Section 67 of the CHRA

Section 67 of the Canadian Human Rights Act restricts the ability of First Nations people living on reserve to file a complaint against band councils or the federal government. The Commission has long sought repeal of this section. In its 2005 report A Matter of Rights, the Commission looked at the reasons for repealing section 67 and what steps need to be taken post-repeal to ensure that First Nations people have access to an effective system for the resolution of human rights.

• Canadian Human Rights Commission Applauds Extension of Rights Laws to First Nations (News Release, June 2008)
• Canadian Human Rights Commission applauds passage of Bill C-21 in the House of Commons (News Release, May 2008)
• Still a Matter of Rights (Report, January 2008)
• Government of Canada news release – bill reinstated (November 2007)
• Meetings of the Standing Committee on Bill C-44, An Act to amend the Canadian Human Rights Act (Spring 2007)
• Commission Appearance before the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development on Bill C-44 (April 2007)
• CHRC news release (December 2006)
• Message from Commissioner Langtry (December 2006)
• A Matter of Rights  (Report, October 2005)

3.  Statements, Reports, Projects and Policies

• Public Statement on the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
• Alternative Dispute Resolution in Aboriginal Contexts: A Critical Review (Research paper, April 2007)
• Treatment of the Innu of Labrador (Report, 2002)
• Aboriginal Employment Preferences Policy

4. Publications

• CHRC Publications, Reports and Other Materials
• Universal Declaration of Human Rights
  • Inuktitut
  • Mi'kmaq
  • Ojibway
  • Swampy Cree
• Multilingual Information Sheets (outline of the discriminatory grounds under the Canadian Human Rights Act)
  • Dakota
  • Inuktitut
  • James Bay Cree
  • Michif
  • Ojibway
  • Oji-cree
  • Swampy Cree  

5. Links and Resources

• CHRC Links
• Aboriginal Canada Portal
• Aboriginal Justice Strategy
• Government of Canada Links
• Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development
• Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission – Plan for the Investigation and Resolution of Aboriginal Complaints 

6. Related Information

• Preventing Discrimination
• Employment Equity
• Dispute Resolution

7. Contact Information

National Aboriginal Initiative
175 Hargrave Street, Room 750
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 3R8
Telephone: (204) 983-2189
Toll Free: 1-866-772-4880
TTY: 1-866-772-4840
Fax: (204) 983-6132

E-mail: info.com@chrc-ccdp.ca