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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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PMO Press Office: (613) 957-5555
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