Indigenous Self-Determination. Legitimising Claims to Sovereignty by First Nations Peoples

• Main Author: Harding, David
• Other Authors: Thomsen, Robert, Hale, Nanette
• Format: Book Part
• Language: English
• Published: P.I.E.-Peter Lang 2005
• Subjects: Canada; First Nations
• Online Access: https://pure.au.dk/portal/da/publications/indigenous-selfdetermination-legitimising-claims-to-sovereignty-by-first-nations-peoples(123bf980-b4f1-11db-bee9-02004c4f4f50).html

First Nations Peoples in Canada have been increasingly assertive in pursuing self-determination and sovereignty. A continuation of this trend should not be taken for granted however. What is seen as a legitimate assertion of rights be First Nations can be viewed as special treatment by Canadians at-large. In order to consolidate and increase gains in sovereignty, First Nations must reassert their claims to be soeverign peoples. The two key elements to this are cultural and economic. First Nations must maintain their cultural viatality and viability through means such as language preservation. Furthermore, they must demonstrate economic viability as sovereign units. This article discusses a number of means to achieve these objectives.