Indian Act Changes
Click to read Bill C-7.
Bill C-7 has passed first reading in the Parliament of Canada. As of May 2003, it is currently being debated in a parliamentary committee. Two committee members (NDP & Bloc Quebecois) have received Eagle Feathers from the Aboriginal observers, for speaking out against the bill.
These changes to the Indian Act cover areas of how Band Councils are elected, accountability, Band law authority & enforcement, legal status, and application of the Canadian Charter of Rights.
The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) and the Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) are opposed to this bill, including many regional Aboriginal organizations. The Congress of Aboriginal Peoples utilized federal funding to create an awareness of the bill with its membership. A similar situation occurred when a group of Aboriginal women broke away from NWAC and formed the National Aboriginal Women’s Association (NAWA), and utilized federal funds for similar purposes as CAP.