PRIME MINISTER ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT TO THE INDIAN CLAIMS COMMISSION

October 31, 2002
Ottawa, Ontario

Prime Minister Jean Chrétien today announced the appointment of Jane Dickson-Gilmore as a Commissioner of the Indian Claims Commission, effective immediately.

Jane Dickson-Gilmore, from Ottawa, Ontario, has a significant experience in aboriginal law and in working with aboriginal communities. Currently, she holds the position of Associate Professor in the Law Department of Carleton University, where she teaches such subjects as Aboriginal Community and Restorative Justice and Conflict Resolution. Active in First Nations communities, Ms. Dickson-Gilmore also serves as Project Leader of the Oujé-Bougoumou Cree First Nation Community Justice Project. She provides expert advice to the Smithsonian Institution - National Museum of American Indian on Kahnawake Mohawks and she continues to make presentations to schools on Aboriginal culture, history and politics. She has been called upon to present before the Standing Committee of Justice and Human Rights, as well as to act as an expert witness in proceedings before the Federal Court and Canadian Human Rights Commission. Ms. Dickson-Gilmore graduated from the London School of Economics with a Ph.D. in law and holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts in Criminology from Simon Fraser University.

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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