by Aboriginal people. Consultations began by meeting with the First Nation, Métis and Inuit national political bodies: the Assembly of First Nations, the Native Council of Canada, the Métis National Council, the Inuit Tapirisat of Canada, the National Association of Friendship Centres and the Native Women’s Association of Canada. The Commission wanted the realities of life of Aboriginal people to be understood by all Canadians because all Canadians will have to contribute to possible solutions and support the implementation of these solutions. The ultimate goal, therefore, was to create a public education program. The Commission also wanted to hear the views of all Canadians who wanted to participate in the process and for them all to have an opportunity, so accessibility was front and centre. Details from phone lines through languages were looked after by the Commission and an Intervenor Participation program was established. It was explicitly noted by the federal government that the Royal Commission was not established as a substitute for constitutional reform which the government feels is another avenue to address Aboriginal concerns. (Fredere)
This final report consisted of five volumes, two of which dealt with background history of Aboriginal peoples in Canada, one discussing social issues facing Aboriginal peoples today, and two remaining volumes proposing solutions to many of these issues. These solutions would be implemented over a 20-year period, with increased federal spending on Aboriginal peoples of 1.5 billion dollars annually for the first 5 years, increasing to 2 billion dollars annually for the remaining 15 (parl.gc.ca). Four main areas required early action: healing, economic development, human resources development, and the building of Aboriginal institutions. RCAP recommended hundreds of changes of all kinds, some of which were considerable. One such recommendation called for the creation of an Aboriginal Parliament, first to advise and then, as a third Parliamentary chamber, to supplement the existing House of Commons and Senate’ (Elliott 201). It was found that a Royal Proclamation would be required to cement Canada’s commitment to new Aboriginal relationships and recognition of Aboriginal nations and government forms. Other major findings included establishing a dual Aboriginal/Canadian citizenship, and an Aboriginal constitutional veto for any matter affecting Aboriginal constitutional rights (Elliott 201). The annual government spending would go towards improving various areas of Aboriginal life. Improving housing and water systems, dealing with high suicide rates, small business assistance, and increased assistance in Aboriginal education and training. As Aboriginal populations are growing at twice the rate of Canada’s population, with over 50% of the Aboriginal population being under the age of 25, areas of education and job creation are of increasing concern (parl.gc.ca).
Created on May 31, 1991, the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples was a massive project and over its five-year life span several papers were released discussing various issues affecting the Aboriginal peoples. These issues included topics such as suicide, self-government, extinguishment of Aboriginal title, and Quebec secession among others. In November 1996, the final 3537 page Report of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples (RCAP) was released.
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