Congress of Aboriginal Peoples
Encyclopedia
Congress of Aboriginal Peoples (CAP) founded in 1971 as the Native Council of Canada, is a Canadian
aboriginal
organization, that represents Aboriginal Peoples (First Nations
and Métis
) who live off Indian reserve
s, either in urban and rural areas across Canada
.
Each CAP affiliate has its own constitution and is separately funded under the federal Aboriginal Representative Organization Program (AROP). CAP's bylaws require affiliation be limited to one organization per province or territory. In effect, these affiliates are the corporate members of CAP, which does not, itself, have individual memberships.
On January 14, 2006, CAP officially endorsed the Conservative Party of Canada
for the 2006 federal election
. This endorsement was somewhat controversial since the Conservatives had recently suggested they would reconsider the Kelowna Accords.
Aboriginal Peoples Council". Lavalee was elected on September 13, 2009 at the Congress' Annual General Meeting, which was held in Ottawa
, Ontario
. Prior to Lavalee being elected, Kevin Daniels
served in the position on an Interim basis after the previous Chief Patrick Brazeau
was appointed to the Senate of Canada. Past National Chiefs include:
's respective provinces and territories, whom chose CAP to represent them at a National level. Each organization holds its own Constitution
and By-laws, as well are individually funded through Government of Canada
programs. CAP's By-laws only allow one organization per province or territory. Each PTO has membership policies, and CAP does not have individual memberships. CAP also provides some funding to the organizations, although the kinds of programs and services, as well as the amount of funding available, varies considerably for each province or territory. Each PTO must be in good standing in order to attend the Congress' Annual General Assembly, normally held each Fall. Affiliate organizations also are required to provide proof of being an organization and in good standing. Each PTO also has a respective provincial Chief and President, whom make up the Board of Directors for CAP.
The following are a list of the organizations that associate with CAP, as of November 20, 2009:
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
aboriginal
Aboriginal peoples in Canada
Aboriginal peoples in Canada comprise the First Nations, Inuit and Métis. The descriptors "Indian" and "Eskimo" have fallen into disuse in Canada and are commonly considered pejorative....
organization, that represents Aboriginal Peoples (First Nations
First Nations
First Nations is a term that collectively refers to various Aboriginal peoples in Canada who are neither Inuit nor Métis. There are currently over 630 recognised First Nations governments or bands spread across Canada, roughly half of which are in the provinces of Ontario and British Columbia. The...
and Métis
Métis people (Canada)
The Métis are one of the Aboriginal peoples in Canada who trace their descent to mixed First Nations parentage. The term was historically a catch-all describing the offspring of any such union, but within generations the culture syncretised into what is today a distinct aboriginal group, with...
) who live off Indian reserve
Indian reserve
In Canada, an Indian reserve is specified by the Indian Act as a "tract of land, the legal title to which is vested in Her Majesty, that has been set apart by Her Majesty for the use and benefit of a band." The Act also specifies that land reserved for the use and benefit of a band which is not...
s, either in urban and rural areas across Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
Each CAP affiliate has its own constitution and is separately funded under the federal Aboriginal Representative Organization Program (AROP). CAP's bylaws require affiliation be limited to one organization per province or territory. In effect, these affiliates are the corporate members of CAP, which does not, itself, have individual memberships.
Political positions
In 2003, CAP endorsed the "First Nations Governance Act", a failed bill which was intended to impose standards for transparency and electoral fairness on reserves.On January 14, 2006, CAP officially endorsed the Conservative Party of Canada
Conservative Party of Canada
The Conservative Party of Canada , is a political party in Canada which was formed by the merger of the Canadian Alliance and the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada in 2003. It is positioned on the right of the Canadian political spectrum...
for the 2006 federal election
Canadian federal election, 2006
The 2006 Canadian federal election was held on January 23, 2006, to elect members of the Canadian House of Commons of the 39th Parliament of Canada. The Conservative Party of Canada won the greatest number of seats: 40.3% of seats, or 124 out of 308, up from 99 seats in 2004, and 36.3% of votes:...
. This endorsement was somewhat controversial since the Conservatives had recently suggested they would reconsider the Kelowna Accords.
National Chief
The current National Chief is Betty Ann Lavalee from the "New BrunswickNew Brunswick
New Brunswick is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the only province in the federation that is constitutionally bilingual . The provincial capital is Fredericton and Saint John is the most populous city. Greater Moncton is the largest Census Metropolitan Area...
Aboriginal Peoples Council". Lavalee was elected on September 13, 2009 at the Congress' Annual General Meeting, which was held in Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
. Prior to Lavalee being elected, Kevin Daniels
Kevin Daniels
Kevin Dwight Daniels Jr. but known as Kevin Daniels is an American actor who started his career with a supporting role in the 1998 film Twelfth Night, or What You Will by director Nicholas Hytner....
served in the position on an Interim basis after the previous Chief Patrick Brazeau
Patrick Brazeau
Patrick Brazeau is a Canadian aboriginal activist and senator sitting with the Conservative Party. At the age of , he is the youngest current Senator. From February 2006 until January 2009 he held the position of national chief of the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples.Brazeau is an Algonquin from the...
was appointed to the Senate of Canada. Past National Chiefs include:
- Patrick Brazeau (2006–2009)
- Dwight Dorey (1999–2006)
- Harry Daniels (1997–1999)
- Jim SinclairJim Sinclair (politician)Jim Sinclair is a Non-Status Indian leader from Saskatchewan Canada. Despite his Non-Status, rather than Métis, background, for many years he was one of the pre-eminent Métis leaders in Canada...
(1994–1996) - Ron George (1992–1994)
- Dan Smith (1991–1992)
- Viola Robinson (1990–1991)
- Chris McCormick (National Spokesperson -1988-1990)
- Smokey Bruyere (1981–1988)
- Harry Daniels (1976–1981)
- Gloria George (1975–1976)
- Kermit Moore (1974–1975)
- Tony BelcourtTony BelcourtTony Belcourt is a Métis Rights leader and activist in Canada. He is best known for his work as the founding President of the Métis Nation of Ontario in 1993 and his leaderhship through the Powley Case in 2003...
(1971–1974).
Affiliate organizations
Also known as provincial/territorial organizations, or PTOs,CAP has affiliate Aboriginal organizations in CanadaCanada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
's respective provinces and territories, whom chose CAP to represent them at a National level. Each organization holds its own Constitution
Constitution
A constitution is a set of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organization is governed. These rules together make up, i.e. constitute, what the entity is...
and By-laws, as well are individually funded through Government of Canada
Government of Canada
The Government of Canada, formally Her Majesty's Government, is the system whereby the federation of Canada is administered by a common authority; in Canadian English, the term can mean either the collective set of institutions or specifically the Queen-in-Council...
programs. CAP's By-laws only allow one organization per province or territory. Each PTO has membership policies, and CAP does not have individual memberships. CAP also provides some funding to the organizations, although the kinds of programs and services, as well as the amount of funding available, varies considerably for each province or territory. Each PTO must be in good standing in order to attend the Congress' Annual General Assembly, normally held each Fall. Affiliate organizations also are required to provide proof of being an organization and in good standing. Each PTO also has a respective provincial Chief and President, whom make up the Board of Directors for CAP.
The following are a list of the organizations that associate with CAP, as of November 20, 2009:
- Aboriginal Affairs Coalition of Saskatchewan
- Alliance Autochtone du Quebec Inc
- Aboriginal Council of Manitoba
- Federation of Newfoundland Indians
- Labrador Métis Nation
- New Brunswick Aboriginal Peoples Council
- Native Council of Nova Scotia
- Native Council of Prince Edward Island
- Ontario Coalition of Aboriginal Peoples
- United Native Nations Society (British Columbia)
See also
- Indian and Northern Affairs CanadaIndian and Northern Affairs CanadaThe Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development is the department of the government of Canada with responsibility for policies relating to Aboriginal peoples...
- Indian RegisterIndian RegisterThe Indian Register is the official record of Status Indians or Registered Indians in Canada. Status Indians have rights and benefits that are not granted to unregistered Indians, Inuit, or Métis, the chief benefits of which include the granting of reserves and of rights associated with them, an...
- Indian ActIndian ActThe Indian Act , R.S., 1951, c. I-5, is a Canadian statute that concerns registered Indians, their bands, and the system of Indian reserves...
- Royal Commission on Aboriginal PeoplesRoyal Commission on Aboriginal PeoplesThe Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples was a Canadian Royal Commission established in 1991 to address many issues of aboriginal status that had come to light with recent events such as the Oka Crisis and the Meech Lake Accord. The commission culminated in a final report of 4000 pages,...
- The Canadian Crown and Aboriginal peoples
External links
- Congress of Aboriginal Peoples (Government of CanadaGovernment of CanadaThe Government of Canada, formally Her Majesty's Government, is the system whereby the federation of Canada is administered by a common authority; in Canadian English, the term can mean either the collective set of institutions or specifically the Queen-in-Council...
)