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

'i%e appointment of an Indian claim c0iOinnLssion imst be based upon afundamental policy that Canada's native Indians ;,lust 'aow achicvc fullcquality prithou-t loss of aboririnal, :loraditory 2nd usufructor-y rizhts.Indians should havo the rights aiid iwivilegos to be represented on theclairn conmission and to participabr: equally with the Fedora1 authorityin assessing xnd warding compensation to participate equally with thoFedora1 authority in assessing and awardbl~ canpensation to Indim:;who have othorwisa had their lands and other rights alienated.The Provine3 should racognize that Indians arc tax payinj residentseithsr directly or indircctlq for >ihich Lhey get very little provincial. .services in return. i c . c c e r a ~'-thatti no L n o i q o ~ u ~l o w .. .c -. I- t of e- 0 rolrincLLl-semrices to Indim'The Foderal Governiiiont should ensure that provincialberviccs be provided to Indians without discrimination.The Province of ritish Columbia has collected considerable taxes froclIndian lands where the status of said lands as to alienation andsurrender is ques tioncd by the Indian 2eoplss.A lands claim coiz~ssionshould investigate the claims of Indians i;~ respect to collection ofthese back taxes and in rospoct to tho constitutional title andownership of these lands.5. -3Gu~atig1-Indian rights to pursue education in any educational institution inCanada have not been fully recognized and should therefore be forinallyset out in appropriate legislation.Indian children also should havethe full right to be ..nrollad in a kindergarten on or off reserveswithout restriction.Education of Indians is of paramount import~mceto social and sconomic development and it is mandatory that unlkitedpre-school traininz be provided to Indian children.