The Incremental Path to Indigenous Self-Governance

Achieving self-governance for Indigenous communities in Canada and British Columbia is a noble goal. It is a very alive conversation and already happening in many instances. 

Just picture it: an Indigenous nation taking charge of its own destiny, making decisions that truly reflect the needs and aspirations of its people. 

But while the idea is enticing, the path to making it a reality is challenging. There are great examples of nations and their leaders who have spent numerous years pursuing their vision of self-government. There is so much to unlearn and relearn. 

Achieving self-governance is a complex and multifaceted process – it isn’t something that happens overnight, nor is it the responsibility of any single individual or group. 

Instead, it takes a collaborative effort, with each step building on the last. Incremental progress is the key to success. Taking “baby steps” is what I’ve often heard elders say is what is needed to achieve the ultimate goal of self-governance.

Let's take a closer look at what it really takes to start the journey of incremental self-governance.

Defining Indigenous Self-Governance

Indigenous self-governance simply describes a formal structure that allows Indigenous nations to administer their land, people,resources, and policies through agreements with other levels of federal and provincial governments. 

The concept allows Indigenous nations to express their distinctive identities while maintaining their relationship with Canada, her Provinces and their people. 

It’s important to keep in mind that before European colonization, Indigenous nations of what’s now known as Canada exercised rights and powers over their territories for thousands of years. 

In fact, nations had complex governance and socio-economic systems rooted in their social, cultural, and spiritual values.

Indigenous self-governance seeks to restore these inherent rights. 

It means restructuring current forms of government to recognize and uphold Indigenous rights, including the inherent right to self-government. 

Self-governance is a key pathway to development and economic growth that can offer tremendous benefit for Indigenous communities.

The Current State of Indigenous Self-Governance

Unless an Indigenous community has negotiated a formal self-government agreement, it's likely that it is currently governed by the Indian Act. 

Under the Indian Act, communities elect chiefs and councils to make decisions on their behalf and pass by-laws in a limited number of areas.  To date, 25 self-government agreements across Canada are in place, involving 43 Indigenous communities.  In addition, approximately 50 self-government negotiations are underway across the country. 

These discussions are at various stages of the negotiation process – in many cases, they are being negotiated in alignment with modern treaties.

Foundational Questions

Before any community can dive headfirst into self-governance, it needs to lay some solid groundwork. 

Think of it as building the framework for a house. You need to know who's part of the community, who's not, who's a citizen, and who's not. 

Establishing clear membership criteria and processes is key. These are the people who have a voice in decision-making.

Once you're a citizen, then what? 

This is where leadership comes into play. Who leads the community? Who makes the decisions? How are these leaders chosen? What principles guide their decisions? 

These are the foundational questions that need answers, and each individual community will need to wrestle with them.

To navigate these challenges, Indigenous nations must focus on core governance, determining areas of legislative authority and developing Indigenous legal orders.

Blending Tradition with Progress

The prevailing culture forms the bedrock of any community. It's what defines who we are. 

But in today's world, with its rapid pace of change, balancing tradition with progress is crucial.  We need to preserve cultural heritage while adapting to the demands of the modern world. 

Finding that delicate balance is essential for the success of any self-governing community. Involving elders and youth as well as other special groups to inform the engagement process is always a good thing and works positively.

Long-Term Vision

Self-governance isn't just about the here and now - it's about planning for the future.  Leaders need to think in terms of decades and even centuries. 

What do they want their community or nation to look like in 50, 100 or even 200 years? 

Having a long-term vision allows leaders to set goals and chart a course for generations to come. For Indigenous nations, drafting their own constitution can be helpful in this process. Doing so represents a bold act of self-determination, allowing space for cultural preservation, plus governance tailored to the community’s specific needs.

Empowering Leaders and Communities

Leadership is about more than making decisions – it's also about empowering others to lead. Building capacity at every level of a community is vital for long-term success.  From grassroots activists and community leaders to national policymakers, everyone needs to be equipped with the skills and knowledge to meaningfully contribute to the journey of self-governance.

In addition, there's no one-size-fits-all approach to reaching self-governance.  Every community is unique, with its own set of challenges and opportunities. 

It's essential to explore all available options and leverage the existing tools and resources that align with the community’s goals.  Whether it's establishing new institutions or revising existing legislation, every opportunity should be considered.

Preserving Culture, Reclaiming Identity

For many Indigenous communities, the journey toward self-governance is also a journey of cultural revitalization. 

In many communities, centuries of colonization have eroded traditional practices and beliefs, but reclaiming cultural identity is essential for true self-determination. 

In this case, self-governance is more about reconnecting with a community’s history and incorporating traditional knowledge into people’s everyday lives.

A Journey of Resilience and Renewal

The path to self-governance isn’t an easy one, but it's a journey worth taking. 

By building solid community foundations, preserving cultural heritage, and embracing incremental progress, we can create a future where communities are empowered to chart their own course. 

It's a journey of resilience, renewal – and above all, self-determination.