Tansi Nîtôtemtik,
For thousands of years, the Aboriginal people of what is now Canada organized themselves as sovereign nations, with what was essentially governmental jurisdiction over their lands, including property rights. Those rights – of governance and property – were trampled in the stampede of European settlement, colonization and commercial interests. But they were never lost or extinguished.[1] – Centre for First Nations Governance
Indigenous Peoples have always self-governed, even before contact. It is important to understand that Indigenous governance is not a new or novel concept and has been in practice for hundreds of years. Pre-contact, Indigenous Peoples were organized as sovereign nations.[2] Each group exclusively occupied territory, exercised governmental authority and established “their own cultures, economies, governments, and laws.”[3] Indigenous Peoples owned the land they occupied and had property rights and responsibilities regarding the land.[4] It is for this reason that Indigenous rights to lands and natural resources are inherent. Indigenous Peoples occupied, used and cared for the land as sovereign nations prior to European contact.[5]
In the early years, there were six main geographical Indigenous groups:
- Woodland First Nations;
- Iroquoian First Nations;
- Plains First Nations;
- Plateau First Nations;
- Pacific Coast First Nations; and
- Nations of the Mackenzie and Yukon River Basins.[6]
Each group had fewer than 400 members and their social organization differed.[7] For instance, the Iroquoian First Nations, now known as the Haudenosaunee, established permanent communities and developed complete democratic systems of government.[8] They were able to establish these permanent communities as there was an abundance of food supplies, eliminating the need to migrate in search of food.[9] The Plains First Nations was comprised of many individual groups, each with their own chief. However, they also had military societies that policed, organized defences and regulated life for each individual group that comprised the Plains First Nations.[10] That being said, as a whole they had military societies that policed, organized defences and regulated life for each group.[12]
Each Indigenous group had an organized structure and self-governed their communities. Each group was organized according to their unique needs, lifestyle, and values. Family units worked together and leaders were often selected according to skill level and experience.[13]
Before European contact, Indigenous sovereign nations not only had a sacred relationship with the lands they occupied, they also had established laws, cultures, governments and economies. It is important to understand that Indigenous governance is not a new or novel concept and that it actually predates 1700.[14] It is essential that we appreciate and acknowledge the long-standing and established practice of Indigenous governance.
Until Next Time,
Team ReconciliAction YEG
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[1] Centre for First Nations Governance, “A Brief History of our Right to Self-Governance Pre-Contact to Present” at 4 [First Nations Governance].
[2] Ibid at 6.
[3] Ibid.
[4] Ibid.
[5] Ibid.
[6] Government of Canada, “First Nations in Canada,” online: <www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/>.
[7] Ibid.
[8] Ibid.
[9] Ibid.
[10] Ibid.
[11] Ibid.
[12] Ibid.
[13] Ibid.
[14] First Nations Governance, supra note 1 at 7.
