| Abstract: | Recent trends in Canadian aboriginal-government relations are examined by way of an interactionist perspective on race and ethnic relations. Employing Blumer's notion of group interaction as socially constructed and collectively defined, aboriginal-government relations are proposed to have undergone a reassessment in response to various developments. This is particular true of the situation in Canada where Native Indians have become actively involved in a ‘collective redefinition’ of their relational status. Failure, however, to achieve a constitutionally-based self-governing position has cast light on the politics of aboriginal renewal. In applying Blumer's interactionist perspective, debate over the direction of aboriginal-government relations are shown to embody both competing images and definitions, as well as shifting tactics and adjustments. |
