Congress of Aboriginal Peoples
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Congress of Aboriginal Peoples (CAP) is a Canadian aboriginal organization, whose stated goal is to represent Canadian aboriginals (First Nations and Metis) who do not live on Indian reserves, whether this be an urban, rural or wilderness setting. It was founded in 1971.
Its current chief is Patrick Brazeau, an Algonquin from the Kitigan Zibi reserve in Quebec near Maniwaki. Brazeau, who first served as Vice-Chief since April, 2005, was elected to the position of National Chief in November, 2006. The founding president was Tony Belcourt, (1971 - 1974)
[edit] Political positions
CAP has taken a number of political positions which have placed it at odds with older and higher-profile aboriginal groups in Canada, such as the Assembly of First Nations.
In 2003, CAP endorsed the First Nations Governance Act, a failed bill which was intended to impose standards for transparency and electoral fairness on reserves.
On January 14, 2006, CAP officially endorsed the Conservative Party of Canada for the 2006 federal election. This endorsement was somewhat controversial since the Conservatives had recently suggested they would reconsider the Kelowna Accords.
[edit] References
- ^ 'Aboriginal groups raise alarm over Tory comments', CBC News, January 12, 2006
- ^ 'Off-reserve natives to back Tories', Global National, January 14, 2006
- ^ 'Tories signal shift in aboriginal policy', Globe and Mail, January 16, 2006
