The BC Indian Position Paper, Draft Copy - Union of British ...

Je desire recognition by the governments and by thc other Cana-1' ilciil2, \ P'&+A .citizons as the nativ&ab nglnes of this land and to have OUTl r\aboriginalrights respectad accordingly./The Federal ,;ovurnment imst oxercise its ?overs to insure theprotection of Indian rights and privilez~s for our culturalheritage to be preserved.C. CIVIL 3IGi.Tl'SIndians need to be providad with opportunities in: education, edploy-elent, housing, health improvement, cormnity facilities and servicesand other such items.In order to achieve these opportunfties a period of time mst elapsein which Indians anjoy spocial rights, spscial civic privileges, specialprotectiva legislation.'The Federal ;ovcrnnient has passed coilsidcra?3le legislation providingspecial privileges to i;~inority groups particularly in regard to restric-tive immigration.Recent discrirniiiato-qj lezislation was passed protec-ting the French languaxe and sivin~ protection to the French cultura..Jc expect similar protection of Indian 1angv.ageSand Indian cultur-.Frosent legislation affecting 1ndians.L~ discriclinatory, restrictiv~ andprojudicial to tho human and civil rights of the Indian people.doconsider that our aboriginal ri,zhts take preccdenco ovor all existinglegislation.Various aspects to be considered in rovisinz legislation areoutlined herein.1. ~s~itutign~l-L~~s&a.t_i~ni- -Jo nsr-d legislation to protect our unicpe aboriginal status within thecontext of tho Canadian constitutioii.It is necessary that the presentIndian ict be substantially revised, mil that constitutional guarantees