Native women's issues to be studied

Page 7

Carrier Sekani Tribal Chief Mavis Erickson has been appointed by Indian Affairs Minister Bob Nault to conduct a six-month study which will result in recommendations on the protection of rights for First Nations women.

The appointment was announced May 12. Erickson, whose term as elected tribal chief for the Prince George, B.C.-based tribal organization expires in late June, will be a special representative "with a wide-ranging mandate to make recommendations both under the Indian Act and outside of it," an Indian Affairs press release stated.

The study will begin in June. Erickson's report to the minister is due in November.

"Mavis A. Erickson's role will be to help us build a vision of our relationship that reflects the unique role and place of First Nations women in society today," said Nault. "The current legislative framework of the Indian Act does not reflect the reality of the role that First Nations women play in their communities."

Indian Affairs officials say the study will focus on three main areas of concern: the administration of the Indian Act and its provisions that negatively affect First Nations women; potential gaps in the Indian Act, such as the division of matrimonial real property on reserve upon marital breakdown; and areas outside the Indian Act that would challenge new relationships the government might attempt to build.

"We have a chance to take a leadership role and make positive change without sitting back until the courts decide for us," said Nault. "To me, it's clear that we have to do something to address the obstacles and limitations of this legislation. It's equally clear to me that we need to work together with First Nations to move ahead with any work that has an impact on the Indian Act."

This is seen as part of the minister's plan to begin a process that will change or replace the Indian Act. Assistant deputy minister Gordon Shanks told Windspeaker in late April that the minister wants to revamp or replace the act but he's aware that a previous attempt to do so - initiated by former minister Ron Irwin in 1996 - died on the order paper, in part because of opposition from the Assembly of First Nations.

The Native Women's Association in Erickson's own province is suing the government to protect matrimonial assets of divorced Native women because the Indian Act does not protect them. There are also concerns regarding membership, registration, wills and estates, elections, Indian moneys and land provisions.

Erickson was not available to comment. The Nadleh Whut'en band member (although she is a Nak'azdli citizen from her late parents' community of Nak'azdli, near Fort St. James, B. C.) has received three university degrees. She has a master of laws degree from Harvard law school, a law degree from the University of British Columbia and she has a bachelor of arts degree in history from the University of British Columbia. She is also a lawyer, and finally, she teaches in the First Nations Studies Department at the University of Northern British Columbia.