Congress of Aboriginal Peoples

Congress of Aboriginal Peoples
Abbreviation	CAP
Formation	1971
Type	Aboriginal organization
Legal status	active
Purpose/focus	advocate and public voice, educator and network
Headquarters	Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Region served	Canada
Official languages	English, French
National Chief	Betty Ann Lavallee
Staff	10
Volunteers	Numerous
Website	CAP

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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 reserves, either in urban and rural areas across Canada.^[1]

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.^[1]

Political positions

In 2003, CAP endorsed the "First Nations Governance Act",^[2] a failed bill which was intended to impose standards for transparency and electoral fairness on reserves. ^[1]

On January 14, 2006, CAP officially endorsed the Conservative Party of Canada for the 2006 federal election. ^[2] This endorsement was somewhat controversial since the Conservatives had recently suggested they would reconsider the Kelowna Accords. ^[3]

National Chief

The current National Chief is Betty Ann Lavalee from the "New Brunswick Aboriginal Peoples Council". Lavalee was elected on September 13, 2009 at the Congress' Annual General Meeting, which was held in Ottawa, Ontario.^[3] 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:

• Patrick Brazeau (2006-2009)
• Dwight Dorey (1999-2006)
• Harry Daniels (1997-1999)
• Jim Sinclair (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 Belcourt (1971–1974).

Affiliate organizations

Also known as provincial/territorial organizations, or PTOs,CAP has affiliate Aboriginal organizations in Canada'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^[4] 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.^[1]

The following are a list of the organizations that associate with CAP, as of November 20, 2009:^[5]

• Aboriginal Affairs Coalition of Saskatchewan^[6]
• Alliance Autochtone du Quebec Inc^[7]
• Aboriginal Council of Manitoba^[8]
• Federation of Newfoundland Indians^[9]
• Labrador Metis Nation ^[10]
• New Brunswick Aboriginal Peoples Council ^[11]
• Native Council of Nova Scotia ^[12]
• Native Council of Prince Edward Island^[13]
• Ontario Coalition of Aboriginal Peoples^[14]
• United Native Nations Society (British Columbia)^[15]

See also

Aboriginal peoples in Canada portal

• Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
• Indian Register
• Indian Act
• Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples
• The Canadian Crown and Aboriginal peoples

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} "Congress of Aboriginal Peoples Affiliates". http://www.abo-peoples.org/affiliates.html. Retrieved 2009-11-20. 
2. ^ "BILL C-7: THE FIRST NATIONS GOVERNANCE ACT". Library of Parliament. Mary C. Hurley. http://www2.parl.gc.ca/Sites/LOP/LegislativeSummaries/Bills_ls.asp?lang=E&ls=C7&source=library_prb&Parl=37&Ses=2. Retrieved 2009-11-20. 
3. ^ "The Congress of Aboriginal Peoples elects new Chief" (pdf). http://www.abo-peoples.org/CAP/Media/PDF/13-sept-09.pdf. Retrieved 2009-11-20. 
4. ^ "By-Laws of the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples". http://www.abo-peoples.org/about/bylaws.html. Retrieved 2009-11-20. 
5. ^ "Congress of Aboriginal Peoples News: November 20, 2009". http://www.abo-peoples.org/CAP/About/Affiliates/Affiliates.html. Retrieved 2009-11-20. 
6. ^ "CAP Affiliate - Aboriginal Affairs Coalition of Saskatchewan Inc". http://www.abo-peoples.org/affiliates/aacs.html. Retrieved 2009-11-20. 
7. ^ "Alliance autochtone du Québec". http://www.aaqnaq.com/fr/index.cfm. Retrieved 2009-11-20. 
8. ^ "Aboriginal Council of Manitoba". http://index.abcouncil.org/index.php. Retrieved 2009-11-20. 
9. ^ "Federation of Newfoundland Indians". http://www.fni.nf.ca/. Retrieved 2009-11-20. 
10. ^ "Labrador Metis Nation". http://www.labradormetis.ca/home/33. Retrieved 2009-11-20. 
11. ^ "New Brunswick Aboriginal Peoples Council". http://www.nbapc.org/. Retrieved 2009-11-20. 
12. ^ "Native Council of Nova Scotia". http://ncns.ca/. Retrieved 2009-11-20. 
13. ^ "Native Council of Prince Edward Island". http://www.ncpei.com/. Retrieved 2009-11-20. 
14. ^ "Ontario Coalition of Aboriginal Peoples". http://www.o-cap.ca/article/about-ocap--121.asp. Retrieved 2009-11-20. 
15. ^ "United Native Nations Society". http://www.unns.bc.ca/. Retrieved 2009-11-20. 

• ^ 'Off-reserve natives to back Tories', Global National, January 14, 2006

External links

• Congress of Aboriginal Peoples (Government of Canada)