The struggle for inclusion : aboriginal constitutional discourse in the 1970s and 1980s

Over the past two decades, aboriginal peoples in Canada have become involved in the process of constitutional revision. As they became engaged in constitutional debates, aboriginal peoples developed a discourse that centred on historic rights, past injustices, and differences from the broader Canadi...

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Main Author: Wherrett, Barbara Jill
Language:English
Published: University of British Columbia 2011
Subjects:
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/2429/31220
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spelling ndltd-UBC-oai-circle.library.ubc.ca-2429-312202018-01-05T17:45:58Z The struggle for inclusion : aboriginal constitutional discourse in the 1970s and 1980s Wherrett, Barbara Jill Meech Lake Accord (1987) Indians of North America -- Canada -- Government relations Over the past two decades, aboriginal peoples in Canada have become involved in the process of constitutional revision. As they became engaged in constitutional debates, aboriginal peoples developed a discourse that centred on historic rights, past injustices, and differences from the broader Canadian community. New terms and concepts which described these identities were introduced into constitutional language. An analysis of the testimony of the national aboriginal organizations before Special Joint Committees on the Constitution and the transcripts of the First Ministers' Conferences on Aboriginal Constitutional Matters reveals how aboriginal peoples attempted to reshape the political world through the Constitution. Aboriginal discourse has highlighted the role of the Canadian Constitution as an emblem of status and inclusion in Canadian society. Aboriginal peoples have sought recognition in the Constitution as a way to improve their status and gain symbolic admission into the Canadian state. However, they have sought inclusion according to their own narratives of their history, identity, and aspirations. These separate identities have been reflected in the words they have chosen to describe themselves and their relationship to the Canadian state. Aboriginal constitutional language has served to develop aboriginal identities and alter the terms of Canadian constitutional discourse. The discourse reveals some of the problems posed by aboriginal use of terms such as nation, sovereignty and rights, both for aboriginal and Canadian political leaders. Ultimately, the discourse poses new challenges to concepts of shared Canadian citizenship and identity. Arts, Faculty of Political Science, Department of Graduate 2011-02-11T23:53:21Z 2011-02-11T23:53:21Z 1991 Text Thesis/Dissertation http://hdl.handle.net/2429/31220 eng For non-commercial purposes only, such as research, private study and education. Additional conditions apply, see Terms of Use https://open.library.ubc.ca/terms_of_use. University of British Columbia
collection NDLTD
language English
sources NDLTD
topic Meech Lake Accord (1987)
Indians of North America -- Canada -- Government relations
spellingShingle Meech Lake Accord (1987)
Indians of North America -- Canada -- Government relations
Wherrett, Barbara Jill
The struggle for inclusion : aboriginal constitutional discourse in the 1970s and 1980s
description Over the past two decades, aboriginal peoples in Canada have become involved in the process of constitutional revision. As they became engaged in constitutional debates, aboriginal peoples developed a discourse that centred on historic rights, past injustices, and differences from the broader Canadian community. New terms and concepts which described these identities were introduced into constitutional language. An analysis of the testimony of the national aboriginal organizations before Special Joint Committees on the Constitution and the transcripts of the First Ministers' Conferences on Aboriginal Constitutional Matters reveals how aboriginal peoples attempted to reshape the political world through the Constitution. Aboriginal discourse has highlighted the role of the Canadian Constitution as an emblem of status and inclusion in Canadian society. Aboriginal peoples have sought recognition in the Constitution as a way to improve their status and gain symbolic admission into the Canadian state. However, they have sought inclusion according to their own narratives of their history, identity, and aspirations. These separate identities have been reflected in the words they have chosen to describe themselves and their relationship to the Canadian state. Aboriginal constitutional language has served to develop aboriginal identities and alter the terms of Canadian constitutional discourse. The discourse reveals some of the problems posed by aboriginal use of terms such as nation, sovereignty and rights, both for aboriginal and Canadian political leaders. Ultimately, the discourse poses new challenges to concepts of shared Canadian citizenship and identity. === Arts, Faculty of === Political Science, Department of === Graduate
author Wherrett, Barbara Jill
author_facet Wherrett, Barbara Jill
author_sort Wherrett, Barbara Jill
title The struggle for inclusion : aboriginal constitutional discourse in the 1970s and 1980s
title_short The struggle for inclusion : aboriginal constitutional discourse in the 1970s and 1980s
title_full The struggle for inclusion : aboriginal constitutional discourse in the 1970s and 1980s
title_fullStr The struggle for inclusion : aboriginal constitutional discourse in the 1970s and 1980s
title_full_unstemmed The struggle for inclusion : aboriginal constitutional discourse in the 1970s and 1980s
title_sort struggle for inclusion : aboriginal constitutional discourse in the 1970s and 1980s
publisher University of British Columbia
publishDate 2011
url http://hdl.handle.net/2429/31220
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