Indigenous people frequently advocate for the right of self-determination, which means that they manage themselves and their land as they see fit, determining their own political, cultural and economic ways.   Prior to colonization, indigenous communities across Canada engaged in self-determination.  Since colonization, many indigenous communities, including Grassy Narrows, seek to regain the right to freely determine what happens on their land and to their community. 

The emerging best practice standard for how industry and government engages in resource extraction activities on indigenous land is defined as  “Free, Prior and Informed Consent”.   A less-strong term than self-determination, free, prior and informed consent argues that a government or company must freely secure the consent of an impacted indigenous community before engaging in resource extraction activities.

Just as there is no consensus amongst the United States on how to manage our country, there is also no unanimity within Grassy Narrows or any other indigenous community as to how they should manage themselves either.  Our responsibility is to provide them with the space to work it out for themselves.  The right to self-determination should be afforded to all Indigenous communities across Canada.