Content area
Abstract
Aboriginal self-government is a contested issue in Canadian society because, at its root, the concept questions Canadians' underlying values. Questioning these values in and of themselves reveals the sources of friction. The tension between liberalism and communitarianism provides a theoretical framework for the issues, while practical examples of how these individualist and collectivist tensions manifest themselves in discussions about rights illuminates the result. A discussion of Aboriginal values suggests that concern for both individuals and communities is not a foreign concept to Aboriginal cultures. Although these may be defined differently than Western culture, similar themes can be compared. Analysis suggests that a liberal theory of group rights can help to inform the liberal perspective but what is also required is a greater understanding of the values that may be similar in scope.
