"Indigenous peoples are breaking free from colonial and racist strictures, and Canadian courts have articulated a series of enforceable legal principles whose purpose is to both protect and actualize Aboriginal and treaty rights. Central to this development is a ground swell of increasingly strong aboriginal leaders, supported by strong communities who are forging new law and utilizing important court rulings to implement their rights. These court rulings both direct and guide Crown conduct in consulting and accommodating Aboriginal and treaty rights in a manner which facilitates reconciliation between the Crown and Aboriginal peoples. A key aspect of the reconciliation process is the accommodation of Aboriginal and treaty rights by the Crown in a way which reflects the diverse choices, values and visions of Indigenous peoples in Canada.

However, the consultation and accommodation processes will ultimately lack authenticity and workability unless Aboriginal governance rights are also incorporated into these processes so that decisions affecting Aboriginal and treaty lands, resources and peoples do not constitute a unilateral exercise of Crown authority." (1)

1. http://www.fngovernance.org/pdf/CrownDuty_MM_0208.pdf