Report to the Canadian Human Rights Commission on the Treatment of the Innu of Labrador by the Government of Canada

by
Professors Constance Backhouse and Donald M. McRae
Faculty of Law, University of Ottawa
26 March 2002

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Executive Summary
Background
The Innu of Labrador
The Innu and the Government

I. Implementation of the 1993 Recommendations by the Government of Canada

A. The Formal Acknowledgement of the Federal Government’s Constitutional Responsibility
B. The Abrogation of Funding Arrangements with Newfoundland/Labrador and Commencement of Direct Arrangements with the Innu

The Continuing Role of the Province
The Issue of Registration
The Actual Funding Situation

C. Direct Negotiations with the Innu in respect of Self-Government
D. Relocation of the Mushuau Innu

The Physical Environment
The Financing of the Project
The Management of the Project
Innu Involvement in the Project
The Social, and Economic Aspects of Relocation

E. The Funding to Implement the Recommendations

II. The Implications of the Recommendations of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples
III. The Issue of Land Claims
IV. Canada’s International Human Rights Commitments
V. The Implications of the Government's Failure to Provide the Innu with Treatment Equal to That of Other First Nations for the Period 1949 to 2001
VI. Recommendations

A. Recognition, Registration and Self-Government
B. Innu Education and Health

Education
Health

C. Relocation of the Mushuau Innu
D. The Relationship Between the Innu and the Government

VII. Conclusion

Summary of Conclusions
Summary of Recommendations

Annex A: Summary of Conclusions from 1993 Report
Annex B: List of Interviews Conducted for the 2002 Report
Annex C: Biographical Notes on the Authors

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