Featured Resources
Aboriginal Rights are not Human Rights: in Defence of Indigenous Struggles by Peter Kulchyski
This book traces the development of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the Aboriginal rights provisions of the Constitution of Canada and pertinent Canadian legal decisions. While not a critique of the universalistic nature and European origins of human rights, Kulchyski shows how the effective use of aboriginal rights necessitates a clear understanding of their unique nature.
Something New in the Air: the Story of First Peoples Television Broadcasting in Canada by Lorna Roth
Lorna Roth focuses on the regional, national, and global implications of Television Northern Canada and the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN), the only dedicated aboriginal television service in the world and available to every household in Canada with cable and satellite. She shows that by making their programming an integral part of the Canadian broadcasting infrastructure, First Peoples have succeeded in mediating their own historically ruptured pasts and creating a provocative model for media resistance.
Between Consenting Peoples: Political Community and the Meaning of Consent edited by Jeremy Webber and Colin M. Macleod.
In Between Consenting Peoples, leading scholars in legal and political theory look at the various meanings that have been attached to consent as the foundation for political community and law, especially in indigenous contexts. From historical examples to political and legal theory, the authors examine the language of consent and how consent has ordered indigenous societies and shaped their relationships with governments.
Terminology
- "Respected CP Stylebook replete with errors about Inuit" (Nunatsiaq News)Newspaper article. Published December 2017.
- Indigenous Land Stewardship and Environmental Protection from the Alberta Civil Liberties Research CentreThis study explores how to more effectively integrate Indigenous conceptions of land stewardship into development to enhance environmental protection. This necessitates a detailed consideration of the legal duty to consult, environmental assessment processes, and how these systems interact and evolve. In fulfilling this task, this report seeks to build on reform efforts currently underway, and to engage with the dialogue already generated on this issue.
- Indigenous Peoples in Canada: Terminology (Dragonfly Consulting Services Canada)Offers information similar to Indigenous Foundations (above) but with additional information on: Band, Band Councils, Tribal Councils, etc.
- Indigenous Peoples Terminology Guidelines for Usage (Indigenous Corportate Training Inc.)Provides definitions, suggestions for appropriate usage, and cautions for inappropriate or disrespectful usage.
- Indigenous Writes: A guide to First Nations, Métis & Inuit issues in Canada by Chelsea Vowel"The author discusses the fundamental issues--the terminology of relationships; culture and identity; myth-busting; state violence; and land, learning, law and treaties--along with wider social beliefs about these issues."
- Terminology (Indigenous Foundations)Addresses the following terminology: First Nations, Inuit, Métis, Indian, Indigenous, Native, and Peoples (plural).
- What We Mean When We Say Indigenous Land is 'Unceded'This article describes terminology used frequently in land use discussions like "unceded territory" and "land claims."
In the case of the Wet’suwet’en and Coastal GasLink, at issue is a divide between the traditional Wet’suwet’en legal system, Canada’s legal system, those who have stood to protect the land in question and those who want to see the pipeline built." - Vast Indigenous Land Claims in Canada Encompass Parliament Hill(From the New York Times.) The claims are legally thorny, often requiring historians, archaeologists, geographers and geologists to give evidence sometimes stretching back before recorded history to support, or challenge, them.
Terminology Guides for Journalists
"If you are unsure about names and terms, ask the Aboriginal people you’re reporting on which term they prefer." (From Reporting in Indigenous Communities).
- Key Terminology Guidebook (Strategic Alliance of Broadcasters for Aboriginal Reflection)Addresss topics of identity and citizenship; culture and traditions; governance; and rights, policy, and politics. (2012).
- Lexicon and Terminology (Reporting in Indigenous Communities)Includes discussion of the terms: Tribal Affiliation, Indian, Native, Aboriginal, First Nations, and Indigenous.
- Style Guide for Reporting on Indigenous People (Journalists for Human Rights)Includes sections on Indigenous People in Canada, First Nations, Métis, Inuit, and Two Spirit People. Please note that the Inuit section of this guide contains several errors that have been replicated in the Canadian Press Stylebook. (December 2017).
- "Reporting in Indigenous communities: 5 tips to get it right" (CBC)Newspaper article. Published November 2016. Gitxsan journalist Angela Sterritt shares tips on stereotyping, historical context, and other ways to think critically about our sources.
Protectors or Protesters?
- "'We are protectors, not protesters': why I'm fighting the North Dakota pipeline" (The Guardian)Newspaper article. Published August 2016.
- "Protesters? Or land protectors?" (The Independent: Newfoundland & Labrador)Newspaper article. Published October 2016.
- "We Are Land Protectors, Not Protesters" (Buzzfeed)YouTube video. Published September 2016.