Annotation:
This paper examines the context of the exemption of Aboriginal nations from the Canadian Human Rights Act under section 67 of the Indian Act. The author begins by outlining some of the positive developments achieved through litigation and legislation in providing for Aboriginal womens equality, but then recognizes that there are still significant gaps in achieving the full range of rights, especially under the Indian Act. She proceeds to review the Canada Human Rights Act and the negotiations which led to the exemption under the Indian Act. The author then considers potential means for addressing the conflict between equality guarantees and the constitutional protection for customary law. [Descriptors: Indigenous Women, Canada]