Bill S-4 is An Act respecting family homes situated on First Nation reserves and matrimonial interests or rights in or to structures and lands situated on those reserves. The short title is: Family Homes on Reserves and Matrimonial Interests or Rights Act. The bill was introduced in the Senate in March 2010 and had its…
Continue reading…about Bill S-4 – An Empty Shell of a Legislative Promise
In my previous blog on Bill C-3, I argued that we should not agree to pass the bill as it currently reads. I made this argument despite the fact that I, personally, stand to gain from Bill C-3. In my opinion, the more important issue is whether our children, siblings, cousins and future community members…
Continue reading…about Bill C-3 – Not a Catastrophe if it Does not Pass
I know that this blog may be a little off-topic from my usual discussions, but this issue is too important to let slide. A very senior person in Aboriginal politics has made an absolutely insane statement about my Mi’kmaq Nation, our governance practices and our traditions. The record now has to be set straight so…
Continue reading…about Vote-Buying in Burnt Church a Cultural Tradition?
This blog is a summary of my initial reaction to the debates on Bill C-3 that took place in the House on Tuesday, May 25, 2010. It is quite clear to me that there is a huge divide between the unanimous voices of Aboriginal peoples on this issue and that of the government. Even the…
Dear Minister Strahl; RE: Bill C-3 I understand that next week the House will start debate at the report stage of Bill C-3. Please accept this letter as my official request for you to make meaningful amendments to the bill in order to finally end gender discrimination. Barring substantive amendments, I would ask that you…
Continue reading…about Copy of Letter sent to Minister of INAC asking Canada to Amend Bill C-3
Bill C-3 – An An Act to promote gender equity in Indian registration by responding to the Court of Appeal for British Columbia decision in McIvor v. Canada (Registrar of Indian and Northern Affairs)(Gender Equity in Indian Registration Act). This Bill was introduced in the House on March 11, 2010. Debates at second reading were…
What follows is an excerpt from my presentation that I will be delivering to the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs which is studying a draft of Bill C-3 – Gender Equity in Indian Registration Act. Once I make the presentation, I will post my entire presentation online on my website: www.nonstatusindian.com. Part of the problem…
Continue reading…about Excerpts of My Presentation to the Standing Committee on Bill C-3
As with all my blogs, the contents are my own personal views and should never be taken as legal advice. In my last blog, I provided some of my concerns with regards to Bill C-3 Gender Equity in Indian Registration Act which was introduced on March 11, 2010. The purpose of this blog will be…
Continue reading…about Bill C-3 Creates More Discrimination than it Remedies
Sharon McIvor went to court to challenge the gender discrimination in section 6 of the Indian Act, 1985. Registration under the Indian Act provides greater entitlements to Indian men who married out (married a non-Indian) and their descendants as compared with Indian women who married out. McIvor won both at trial and on appeal and…
Continue reading…about UPDATED – Bill C-3 – Gender Equity in Indian Registration Act
So by now, everyone has heard of the McIvor case and knows that the registration provisions of the Indian Act, otherwise referred to as “status”, will be amended as a result. The question remains: what are we going to do about the discrimination that won’t be addressed by those amendments? For anyone who hasn’t heard…
Continue reading…about McIvor is Just the Start – The Indian Act is Full of Discrimination