Recent intellectual and policy work on Aboriginal-state relations in the context of Canadian federalism has not kept pace with an increasingly socio-demographically diverse Aboriginal population which has complex relationships with non-Aboriginal peoples and governments. This volume of Canada: The State of the Federation suggests that this disjuncture between policy and reality needs to be addressed with fresh ideas and governance models that recognize the autonomy of Aboriginal populations and their interdependent relationships with non-Aboriginal societies and governments.

Drawn from a variety of disciplines and perspectives and including a cross-section of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal voices, Canada: The State of the Federation, 2003 assesses whether self-rule, shared-rule, and intergovernmental policies are sufficiently flexible to adapt to the challenges of federal reform.

Contributors include Frances Abele (Carleton University), Chris Andersen (University of Alberta), Philip Awashish (commissioner on the Cree-Naskapi Commission), Gordon Christie (University of British Columbia), Roger Gibbins (University of Calgary), Joyce Green (University of Regina), Calvin Hanselmann (Government of Canada), David C. Hawkes (Carleton University), Kiera Ladner (University of Western Ontario), Michael Murphy (Queen's University), Ronalda Murphy (Dalhousie University), Michael Orsini (University of Ottawa), Evelyn J. Peters (University of Saskatchewan), Michael J. Prince (University of Victoria) Colin H. Scott (McGill University), and Annis May Timpson (University of Edinburgh).