Political Revitalization in Canadian Native Indian Societies

Abstract

At present, the federal government is engaged in community-based self-government negotiations with a number of Indian bands and tribal groups across Canada with the objective of bringing about legislative arrangements for a limited form of self-government outside the Indian Act. An important part of these negotiations involves the federal government's promise to allow the incorporation of “customary or traditional structures,” where desired, into redesigned Indian governments. This article explores the difficulties confronting Indian leaders in their attempts to revitalize traditional governing practices within their respective communities. Through a comparison of traditional and contemporary governing practices in two plains Indian societies, the Blood and Peigan Nations, this article addresses the question of whether present Indian government, which represents an externally imposed form based on the Indian Act, has been institutionalized within these communities. If institutionalization has occurred, then a return to traditional governing practices, the author argues, is effectively precluded. After analyzing traditional and contemporary governing practices the author concludes that strong traditionalist orientations remain within these Indian communities, thus providing the opportunity for political revitalization.

Policy Paradigms and Policy Change

“…These organizations were in a constant state of turmoil, as they attempted to achieve some kind of consensus among various Aboriginal groups about their own vision of the future. Nevertheless, during this period these groups began to develop the political expertise required to wage a long-term campaign in favor of their interpretation of Aboriginal rights (Hall, T., 1986;Long, 1990;Long & Boldt, 1987;Tennant, 1982Tennant, , 1983Tennant, , 1990Weaver, 1986). Paralleling developments in Alaska and elsewhere (Case, 1984;Ervin, 1981Ervin, , 1987, these organizations engaged in numerous activities, ranging from protests and demonstrations to court challenges and media campaigns aimed at altering the political and administrative status quo.…”

Spinning wheels: Surmounting the Indian Act’s impact on traditional Indigenous governance

“…Prior to European settlement, North America was inhabited by “independent self‐governing Indigenous nations, with their own distinct cultures, languages, and systems of law and government” (Murphy : 113). The basic political unit of self‐governing traditional First Nations was extended families most often organized by clans (Alfred ; Beatty, Berndahl and Poelzer ; Boissoneau ; Borrows ; Helin ; Long ; Snow ). Clans as the foundation of governance was reiterated by the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples [RCAP] which stated that “In most Indigenous nations, political life has always been closely connected with family” (, Volume 2, Chapter 3, Section 1.2).…”

“…Since congregation called for order, the extended families consented to appoint a tribal council that provided direction and ensured all clans were fairly represented in decision‐making (Snow ). Models of loosely structured political organizations include the Bloods and the Peigan whose “tribal councils were loosely formed groups of clan Chiefs, assembling occasionally to deal with matters affecting more than one band or family grouping” (Long : 759).…”

“…In the more unstructured and egalitarian systems of traditional governance, such as those of Prairie First Nations, direct democracy also existed because “rule was by consensus. Every member of every clan had a right to be involved in the making of decisions that affected them, both individually and collectively” (Long : 765). Consensus provided the opportunity for all nation members to express their views because decisions did not pass until everyone agreed.…”

“…In non‐hereditary hierarchal and egalitarian governance systems, clan members unanimously agreed to the appointment of a relative to lead their clan and represent its interests at the collective political table. Thus, a nation’s central governing body typically consisted of leaders from each clan (Long ).…”