Liberal Party of Canada - Aboriginal Peoples' Commission

History

The Aboriginal Peoples of Canada include First Nations, Inuit and Métis. The First Nations’ communities throughout Canada have much in common, but each has unique needs, issues and distinctive cultures that are remarkably different from one another and other Aboriginal groups. The Inuit, whose culture was shaped by the demanding northern environment; Métis people, diverse, whose blended traditions from Aboriginal and European forebears are encapsulated, creating another distinct Aboriginal culture. Despite the uniqueness of all Aboriginal Peoples in Canada, there are also many commonalities shared.

With the creation of the Aboriginal Peoples' Commission (APC) in 1990, the Liberal Party of Canada (LPC) became the first and only political party to formally recognize the unique place that Aboriginal Peoples occupy in Canada by providing them the opportunity to represent themselves within a federal party.

Prior to the establishment of the APC, Aboriginal issues were the responsibility of the Standing Committee on Native and Original Peoples' Affairs. There were no provisions within the Party's Constitution to enable Standing Committee members to be involved in other areas of Party business, such as the National Executive or other LPC Standing Committees.

There was, however, an Aboriginal Caucus within the Party and it was their mission to create a commission which would have a greater influence within the Liberal Party of Canada. At the Halifax Policy Convention in 1985, the concept of an Aboriginal Commission was first expressed. This led to the adoption of a priority resolution at the 1986 Biennial Convention endorsing in principle the establishment of an Aboriginal Commission within the Liberal Party of Canada.

To bring about the implementation of this resolution in principle, the National Executive of the Party adopted a further resolution in September 1989 to allow specific constitutional amendments to be voted on at the June 1990 Leadership Convention in Calgary, Alberta. The APC became a reality when the necessary changes to the Party's Constitution were passed.

The mandate of the Aboriginal Peoples' Commission is clearly stated in the Preamble of its Constitution. The Commission represents and promotes the interests of Aboriginal members of the Liberal Party and encourages the active and equitable participation of Aboriginal people at all levels of the Party structure.

Since its inception in 1990, the APC has played an important role in the direction of the Liberal Party of Canada. Through the development of Aboriginal policy, through general elections, and through the Aboriginal caucus, the Commission has successfully represented the concerns of Aboriginal Canadians at the Party level, thereby increasing Aboriginal participation in the broader political system.

The Liberal Party of Canada has begun the process of rebuilding a relationship and has recognized the multiple realities of Aboriginal Peoples. It is within this Party that Aboriginal Peoples finally have an opportunity to have our voices heard and make a contribution to not only the Aboriginal Peoples, but to all of Canada.


Home APC Constitution The Importance of the Aboriginal Vote National Executive Policy Aboriginal Liberal Caucus History Aboriginal Electoral Endowment Fund Contact Us Liberal Party of Canada Français	History The Aboriginal Peoples of Canada include First Nations, Inuit and Métis. The First Nations’ communities throughout Canada have much in common, but each has unique needs, issues and distinctive cultures that are remarkably different from one another and other Aboriginal groups. The Inuit, whose culture was shaped by the demanding northern environment; Métis people, diverse, whose blended traditions from Aboriginal and European forebears are encapsulated, creating another distinct Aboriginal culture. Despite the uniqueness of all Aboriginal Peoples in Canada, there are also many commonalities shared. With the creation of the Aboriginal Peoples' Commission (APC) in 1990, the Liberal Party of Canada (LPC) became the first and only political party to formally recognize the unique place that Aboriginal Peoples occupy in Canada by providing them the opportunity to represent themselves within a federal party. Prior to the establishment of the APC, Aboriginal issues were the responsibility of the Standing Committee on Native and Original Peoples' Affairs. There were no provisions within the Party's Constitution to enable Standing Committee members to be involved in other areas of Party business, such as the National Executive or other LPC Standing Committees. There was, however, an Aboriginal Caucus within the Party and it was their mission to create a commission which would have a greater influence within the Liberal Party of Canada. At the Halifax Policy Convention in 1985, the concept of an Aboriginal Commission was first expressed. This led to the adoption of a priority resolution at the 1986 Biennial Convention endorsing in principle the establishment of an Aboriginal Commission within the Liberal Party of Canada. To bring about the implementation of this resolution in principle, the National Executive of the Party adopted a further resolution in September 1989 to allow specific constitutional amendments to be voted on at the June 1990 Leadership Convention in Calgary, Alberta. The APC became a reality when the necessary changes to the Party's Constitution were passed. The mandate of the Aboriginal Peoples' Commission is clearly stated in the Preamble of its Constitution. The Commission represents and promotes the interests of Aboriginal members of the Liberal Party and encourages the active and equitable participation of Aboriginal people at all levels of the Party structure. Since its inception in 1990, the APC has played an important role in the direction of the Liberal Party of Canada. Through the development of Aboriginal policy, through general elections, and through the Aboriginal caucus, the Commission has successfully represented the concerns of Aboriginal Canadians at the Party level, thereby increasing Aboriginal participation in the broader political system. The Liberal Party of Canada has begun the process of rebuilding a relationship and has recognized the multiple realities of Aboriginal Peoples. It is within this Party that Aboriginal Peoples finally have an opportunity to have our voices heard and make a contribution to not only the Aboriginal Peoples, but to all of Canada.
© Liberal Party of Canada Aboriginal Peoples' Commission 2007. All rights reserved. Authorized by the registered agent for the Liberal Party of Canada.