Metis-Crown Relations: Rights, Identity, Jurisdiction, and Governance

This book examines the evolving relationship between the Crown (ie federal and provinicial governments) and Canada’s Metis people. It is compromised of papers presented to a national symposium jointly sponsored by the former Law Commission of Canada and the Metis National Council in Winnipeg in February 2006. Contributors include leading academics, lawyers, government officials and Metis leaders. The book analyses the impact of s.35 of the Constitution Act which defines the Metis as an aboriginal people and the aboriginal rights which are guaranteed by the Constitution. Further it examines the recent jurisprudence, particularly R. v. Powley, which has helped to clarify both the meaning and substance of Metis aboriginal rights, and the limits of federal and provincial jurisdiction. Finally the book looks at models of self-governance for Metis communities.

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