Aboriginal women’s rights as “existing rights” Canada

ID:	HARP-466
Title:	Aboriginal women’s rights as “existing rights” Canada
Source:	Canadian Woman Studies , v.15(2/3) Spring/Summer, 1995 pg 34-38
Parties:
Dispute Resolution Organ:
Year:	1995
Pages:	0
Author(s):
Keywords:	anti-discrimination, Canada, constitution, discrimination, human rights, non-discrimination, racial discrimination, woman, civil and political rights, indigenous people, minority rights
Abstract:	Aboriginal women of Canada have struggled since 1967 to have their right to identity and their civil and political rights recognized. Part of this battle included changing century-old provisions in the Indian Act which banished women from their families and communities by forcing them to give up their Indian status, Band membership, and, essentially, their identity as Aboriginal women if they married outside their race (Leslie and Macguire 25). The Tory government amended the Indian Act in June 1985 through Bill C-31. Aboriginal women’s struggle continues, however, as some Indian Chiefs are trying to overturn the amendments in court, claiming they interfere with their jurisdiction to determine membership in their own communities. It is my position that the civil and political rights of Indian women are fundamental human rights, and that they are Aboriginal rights which are now recognized under section 35(1) of the Constitution Act, 1982. These rights have never be extinguished and they continue to exist.
Secured:	False
Download Article:	9461-9515-1-PB.pdf