Module 10 Indigenous Governance | June 8-10

Department of Indigenous Services

The Ministry of the Government of Canada which delivers most of the funding and services to Indigenous peoples and their governments. For most of its existence it was overtly colonial and even today, is often accused of not having moved away from its colonial origins.

Fiduciary Duty

The idea that the Crown has an obligation to act in the best interests of First Nations people. Fulfillment of the Treaties: The honouring of both the spirit and the intent of the treaties, not just the legal obligations.

Guerin Decision

A Supreme Court ruling where the court ruled that the Crown has a fiduciary duty towards First Nations people. This was partially based on the Royal Proclamation which became part of the Constitution in 1982 with Section 25.

Sustainable development

model of economic growth that seeks to use renewable resources so as not to destroy the environment in which human beings have to live and to assure life and livelihoods for future generations

Treaty Land Entitlement Act (TLE)

An agreement between the governments of Saskatchewan and Canada along with various bands in Saskatchewan, to provide money and land to enlarge reserves which were deliberately short-changed at their creation.

Dubois & Saunders – "Just Do It!": Carving Out a Space for the Métis in Canadian Federalism Summary

The authors examine how Métis peoples have sought political recognition within Canada's federal system. They argue that Métis communities have often been overlooked in discussions of Indigenous rights and federalism despite their unique identity and constitutional status.

Dubois & Saunders – "Just Do It!": Carving Out a Space for the Métis in Canadian Federalism Main Point

The Métis have actively created political space for themselves within Canadian federalism and deserve greater recognition and inclusion.

What is the main argument of the article?

Métis peoples have worked to secure recognition and political space within Canadian federalism.

Why have Métis peoples faced challenges?

They have often been excluded from federal and Indigenous policy discussions.

What does the article emphasize about Métis identity?

It is distinct from First Nations and Inuit identities.

What role does federalism play?

It shapes how governments recognize and interact with Métis communities.

What is the authors' conclusion?

Greater recognition of Métis political rights is necessary.

Crawford – A Security Regime Among Democracies: Cooperation Among Iroquois Nations Summary

Crawford studies the Iroquois Confederacy as an example of a successful security regime among democratic nations. The article challenges the assumption that democratic cooperation is a modern Western phenomenon by showing how Indigenous nations developed stable systems of peace, diplomacy, and conflict resolution.

Crawford – A Security Regime Among Democracies: Cooperation Among Iroquois Nations Main Argument

The Iroquois Confederacy demonstrates that democratic cooperation and collective security existed long before modern Western international organizations.

What is Crawford's main argument?

The Iroquois Confederacy functioned as an effective democratic security regime.

What is a security regime?

A system in which political communities cooperate to maintain peace and security.

Why is the Iroquois Confederacy important?

It demonstrates long-standing Indigenous traditions of democratic governance and diplomacy.

What common assumption does Crawford challenge?

That democratic international cooperation originated only in Europe.

How did the Iroquois maintain peace?

Through institutions, diplomacy, consensus-building, and shared rules.

Why is this article significant in political science?

It broadens understanding of democracy and international relations beyond Western examples.