Draft II: The Aboriginal Constitutional Package of 1992: Its Hidden Sting
A second draft, dated 7 October 1992, of Walter Rudnicki's paper "The Aboriginal Constitutional Package of 1992: Its Hidden Sting". This paper examines attempted changes to the Canadian Constitution (specifically the Meech Lake Accord and the Charlottetown Accord), the effects these changes would have on Canada's indigenous population, and the stances of the various provinces and territories on the status of indigenous peoples. Rudnicki closes with recommendations regarding the Charlottetown Accord: that the aboriginal package should be rejected in its present form; that it may be desirable to seek a court injunction that halts further consideration of the amendments until proper procedure for ratification and consent is determined; and that the rejection of the constitutional amendments should be on the basis that the best that is possible is not good enough, that the acceptance of these amendments would result in the assimilation and extinction of indigenous peoples as a distinct population. Appendices are attached including tables contrasting the constitutional and operational tracks of the government's plans and a series of editorial cartoons relating to the constitutional package. Another folder containing a duplicate of this paper has the following written on the inside of the folder in Rudnicki's handwriting: "Hidden Sting: This paper got wide circulation in Indian communities. Also distributed at all-chiefs meeting in Squamish, BC, which was called by AFN to ratify Charlottetown proposals. Effect was rejection by Indians at Squamish and in community votes. In 1994 - paper also given to Bertha Wilson by Royal Commission member (Rosalie Tizya). Wilson response was that paper 'interesting'."
Draft: The Aboriginal Constitutional Package of 1992: Its Hidden Sting
A draft, dated 4 September 1992, of Walter Rudnicki's paper "The Aboriginal Constitutional Package of 1992: Its Hidden Sting". This paper examines attempted changes to the Canadian Constitution (specifically the Meech Lake Accord and the Charlottetown Accord), the effects these changes would have on Canada's indigenous population, and the stances of the various provinces and territories on the status of indigenous peoples. Rudnicki closes with recommendations regarding the Charlottetown Accord: that the aboriginal package should be rejected in its present form; that it may be desirable to seek a court injunction that halts further consideration of the amendments until proper procedure for ratification and consent is determined; and that the rejection of the constitutional amendments should be on the basis that the best that is possible is not good enough, that the acceptance of these amendments would result in the assimilation and extinction of indigenous peoples as a distinct population.
Drawing: "They've Even Done Away With Indian Summer"
A cartoon depicting indigenous people looking at a newspaper, the headline of which refers to new federal laws regarding aboriginal self-governance and land claims.
Kelowna draft #2
A handwritten draft of a speech Walter Rudnicki was preparing to give at Kelowna, British Columbia. Rudnicki writes of his experience with the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, and discusses the history of relations between the Canadian government and indigenous peoples.
Metis Land Claims Study: Destruction of Records
A report, written by Walter Rudnicki for Policy Development Group Limited on 12 April 1979. The report examines the process of file destruction, and the implications of this destruction, during the period between 1830 and 1959, with particular reference to reports, letters, and other documents which may have a bearing on the special rights and claims of Metis people. Rudnicki includes appendices of relevant legislation and directives regarding the destruction of records in 1954.
Milly Poplar speech to Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs
A speech written by Walter Rudnicki for Milly Poplar. Poplar addressed the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs at their 34th annual general assembly at the Landmark Hotel in Vancouver on 13-15 November, 2002. The speech discusses the issues of land claims and indigenous sovereignty.
Native Claims: Summary and Implications
A report prepared by Walter Rudnicki for Manitoba Premier Ed Schreyer on the summary and implications of indigenous land claims. Prefaced by a memo from Rudnicki to Schreyer, the report details the historical and legal background of native land claims in Canada, including information on treaties and the nature of past land claims. Rudnicki also includes an appendix in which he defines certain terms used within his report.
No Other Way
A typed paper by Walter Rudnicki, prepared for the Native Council of Canada and Assembly of First Nations during the constitutional patriation debate. This paper is dated 26 November 1981, and discusses the historical status of indigenous peoples in Canada from 1867 until 1981; the proposed actions of Munro and Trudeau to redefine and reshape indigenous and treaty rights; and Rudnicki's own proposed approach to aboriginal self-governance.
Notes: 2 -- 1876-1960 Indian Act Tyranny
A folder of handwritten notes made by Walter Rudnicki on the history of the Indian Act in Canada. The notes were made in preparation for an unidentified presentation. The events referenced in the notes occurred from 1876 to 1960. Transparencies of editorial cartoons drawn by Rudnicki are also included.
Notes: 5 -- 1971-2001 - White Paper Goes Underground
A folder of handwritten and typed notes made by Walter Rudnicki on the evolution of the Canadian government's--led by both Conservatives and Liberals--opinion of Jean Chrétien's 1969 White Paper, which proposed the abolition of the Indian Act. The notes were made in preparation for an unidentified presentation. Transparencies of editorial cartoons drawn by Rudnicki are also included.
Notes: 7 -- What's Ahead? Feds
A folder of handwritten and typed notes made by Walter Rudnicki on the future of the Canadian federal government's attitude and approaches to the sovereignty of indigenous peoples.
Notes: 8 -- What's Ahead? AFN
A folder of handwritten and typed notes made by Walter Rudnicki on the future of the Assembly of First Nations.
Notes: B -- Treaty Making
A folder of handwritten notes made by Walter Rudnicki on the history of treaty-making in Canada. Rudnicki defines treaties and discusses the history and implications of past treaties made between the Canadian government and indigenous peoples. The notes were made in preparation for an unidentified presentation.
Notes: Historical Background
A folder of handwritten notes made by Walter Rudnicki on the history of indigenous-government relations in Canada. The notes were made in preparation for an unidentified presentation. The events referenced in the notes occurred from the early days of European colonisation of North America to 1930. Transparencies of editorial cartoons drawn by Rudnicki are also included.
Notes:4 -- 1968-1971 White Paper
A folder of handwritten and typed notes made by Walter Rudnicki on the creation of Jean Chrétien's 1969 White Paper, which proposed the abolition of the Indian Act. The notes were made in preparation for an unidentified presentation. Transparencies of editorial cartoons drawn by Rudnicki are also included.
Presentation: Indigenous/Federal Governance
Notes from a presentation given by Walter Rudnicki on the issues of aboriginal sovereignty and governance. The presentation notes include several political cartoons drawn by Rudnicki. There are several pages of text assigned to each slide that would have been shown during the presentation. Rudnicki discusses the history of indigenous governance by the government of Canada, and points out ways in which indigenous peoples could regain self-sovereignty.
The James Bay Settlement: Background and Implications
A typed nine-page document detailing the background and implications of the James Bay And Northern Quebec Agreement. This paper, written by Walter Rudnicki in 1976, discusses the area and people affected by the settlement, the historical background of native title to the land, the legal basis for native property rights in Canada, and a summary of the legal proceedings regarding the James Bay settlement.