The Dynamics of Native Politics

Historically, Aboriginal people have had little influence on the development of Native policy from within government; as a result political organizations have been established to lobby government on Native peoples’ issues. Using his experience as director of land claims for the Métis Association of Alberta, Joe Sawchuk explains how these Aboriginal organizations began, how they set their political agendas, and how they are influenced by government funding and internal politics. The record of Native political organizations in Canada has been impressive, yet questions remain if government agendas blunts their effectiveness, and how decreases in funding might affect them in the future.