CAP SEEKS GRASSROOTS DIALOGUE
ON ELECTION PRACTICES AND HUMAN RIGHTS
NATIONAL CHIEF WANTS TO HEAR "FROM THE PEOPLE"
ON CUSTOM ELECTIONS AND RIGHTS PROTECTION
(Ottawa ON, October 4, 2007) Canada’s off-reserve Aboriginal peoples are being invited to take part in a dialogue that aims to enhance the protection of rights for First Nations people living away from Indian Act reserves.
The Congress of Aboriginal Peoples (CAP), the national Aboriginal organization that serves as the advocate and voice of Canada’s Aboriginal peoples, is undertaking a series of community meetings concerning custom electoral codes in First Nations communities, and providing information to off-reserve First Nations citizens about the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms as it relates to the conduct of custom elections.
Election codes that are adopted as an alternative to Section 74 of the Indian Act provide the foundation for the exercise of democracy for more than half of the Band Councils in Canada. Many of these alternative election processes – often referred to as “custom” election processes – predate the 1999 Supreme Court of Canada Corbiere decision.
Thirteen information sessions will be held in selected urban areas across the country during the fall of 2007. Through these sessions, grassroots Aboriginal people will have the opportunity to share concerns, issues, aspirations and ideas around the matter of custom band election practices. Dialogue is also being sought on issues of human rights in anticipation of the possible repeal of Section 67 of the Canadian Human Rights Act as it relates to the conduct of custom elections.
CAP National Chief Patrick Brazeau is clear about what he’s hoping to receive through this inclusive program of community dialogue: “It’s tremendously important that grassroots Aboriginal peoples be given the opportunity for unfiltered, honest and open dialogue on some of the fundamental issues affecting the growing number of off-reserve Aboriginal peoples in Canada,” said the National Chief.
“We want to see what best practices there are in the conduct of custom band council elections. We also want to hear about areas where improvement to election practices and the protection of human rights around them, is required,” added Chief Brazeau.
Following the conclusion of the information sessions, CAP will release its analysis and findings to the public and the federal government in early 2008.
The National Chief concluded, “In a country as free and democratic as Canada, it’s important that from time to time, we take stock of the systems in place whose purpose is to protect democracy and defend human rights. We’re hopeful that this dialogue will shed some light on what’s working across the country, while pointing to areas where further action is required.”
A full listing of community meeting locations
and dates is available at www.abo-peoples.org
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For further information, please contact:
Al Fleming
Director
Public Affairs
613-747-6022 (office)
613-867-8696 (mobile)
al@abo-peoples.org
