uOttawa Academic expertise - The Indian Act: Reform or Abolish?

Context:

Prime Minister Mark Carney announced an openness to work with First Nations to reform or abolish the Indian Act, which has been governing First Nations status and reserve land in Canada since 1876.

Members of the media may directly contact the following experts:

Robert-Falcon Ouellette (English & French)

Associate Professor, Faculty of Education.

[email protected]

As a Cree scholar, military veteran, and former MP, Professor Ouellette can offer expert commentary on the Indian Act by analyzing how its colonial legislative structures continue to impact Indigenous self-determination, educational governance, and reconciliation in Canada.

"The repeal of the Indian Act is a goal worth considering, but it cannot be achieved without in-depth negotiations with First Nations on what will replace it, and I doubt that Mark Carney has the political mandate, the time, and the political capital necessary to carry out such a fundamental reform, which could also raise significant constitutional issues, particularly in Quebec."

Frankie Young (English only)

Assistant Professor, Common Law, Faculty of Law.

[email protected]

Professor Young's research focuses on the legal issues that impact Indigenous economic development, with a particular emphasis on business organizations law, commercial law, property law, banking and finance law, and section 35 rights.

"Any discussions about abolishing the Indian Act must be led by First Nations leaders so that new forms of governance are self-determined, protect sestion 35 rights and dismantle federal control while also avoiding creating new forms of vulnerability."