PRIME MINISTER ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT OF NEW CHIEF COMMISSIONER OF THE INDIAN CLAIMS COMMISSION

June 10, 2003
Ottawa, Ontario

Prime Minister Jean Chrétien today announced the appointment of Renée Dupuis as Chief Commissioner of the Indian Claims Commission, effective immediately. Ms. Dupuis, who has been a commissioner since March 2001, succeeds Phil Fontaine who has resigned.

A member of the Quebec Bar, Renée Dupuis has been in private practice since 1973, where she specializes in the areas of aboriginal, human rights, and administrative law. Since 1972, she has also served as legal advisor to a number of aboriginal groups in Quebec. Ms. Dupuis has developed and delivered many conferences and written numerous studies, articles and publications regarding aboriginal law and aboriginal peoples. Recognized as a specialist in aboriginal and human rights law, she has participated in a variety of public radio and television programs including Dimanche-Magazine, Le Point, Les Actualités, CBC's Counterpoint and Télé-Québec. Ms. Dupuis served as a member of the Canadian Human Rights Commission and is Chair of the Quebec Bar's Committee on Law related to Aboriginal People. She is the recipient of the Quebec Bar Foundation's 2001 Award for her book Le statut juridique des peuples autochtones en droit canadien; the Governor General's 2001 Award for her book Justice for Canada's Aboriginal People and the YWCA's Women of Excellence award 2002 for her contribution to the advancement of women's issues. Ms. Dupuis graduated from the University of Laval with a Bachelor of Arts and a Licence in Law, and later obtained a Master in Public Administration from l'Université du Québec.

On behalf of Canadians, the Prime Minister took the opportunity to thank Mr. Fontaine for his leadership of the Commission during the past two years.

The Indian Claims Commission was established by the Government of Canada in 1991. It is an independent body with authority to hold public inquiries into land claims made by First Nations that have been rejected by the Government of Canada. The Commission also provides mediation to help First Nations and government, at any stage in negotiations, reach claim settlements. The Commission has a staff of approximately 40 people, 50 per cent of whom are aboriginal.

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