Table of Contents
Foreword ix
Introduction 3
Moving Through the Postcolonial Door
We Truly Have Come a Long Way… 13
Idle No More and Recapturing the Spirit and Intent of the Two Row Wampum 29
On the Parallels, and Differences, between Canada and South Africa 39
Our Shared Histories and the Path of Reconciliation 44
Rights and Recognition
Fiduciary Gridlock and the Inherent Right of Self-Government 57
Translating Hard-Fought-For Rights into Practical and Meaningful Benefits 65
UNDRIP Is the Start, Not the Finishing Line 69
Defining the Path of Reconciliation through Section 35 76
Indigenous Rights Are Human Rights 83
Implementing UNDRIP 98
Governance in the Post-Indian Act World
Toppling the Indian Act Tree 107
First Nations Jurisdiction over Citizenship 113
Holding and Managing Our Lands 118
On Accountability and Transparency 129
Developing a New Fiscal Relationship 134
The Governance Toolkit and Building on OUR Success 140
Building Business Relationships and the Duty to Consult
Economic Development Depends on Self-Government 149
First Nations Are Not a Box to Tick Off 154
Who Owns and Is Responsible for the Water? 162
On Certainty and Why It's Elusive 167
Restoring Balance, Correcting Injustices, and Keeping Vigilant
A Litmus Test for Reconciliation Is the Status of Women 181
Preventing First Contacts with the Criminal Justice System 185
On Sticking Our Necks Out 194
On Obstruction, Denial, and Canada's Failure to Uphold the Rule of Law 203
Each of Us, in Our Own Way, Is a Hiligaxste' 213
Acknowledgments 222
A Note on Terminology and the Speeches 225
Case Law and Legislation Cited 227
Index 229
About the Author 239
