The Canadian Constitution, the Charter, and Aboriginal Women's Rights: Conflicts and Dilemmas

This article reviews the scope of the challenges which the Constitution and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms raise for Aboriginal women in Canada. There is a particular focus in this article on the advocacy work of the Native Women's Association of Canada (NWAC). The article begins by discussing the issue of sex equality under the Aboriginal rights found within the Constitution. Following this discussion is an overview of the challenges raised by Aboriginal women with the constitutional review process. In conclusion, the author notes that importance of allowing NWAC's full participation in political discussions. As well, the author asserts the need to constitutionally entrench sex equality rights in any consideration of self-government. [Descriptors: Indigenous Women, Canada]