Final answer:
The Canadian constitution protects the rights of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis groups to maintain their cultural heritage and to not be interfered with. These rights include self-governance and representation, which have been historically undermined but are now recognized as inherent rights within Canadian law.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Canadian constitution acknowledges the distinct groups of Indigenous Peoples: First Nations, Inuit, and Métis. These groups are recognized based on their unique history, languages, cultures, and spiritual beliefs. Elements of the Charter aim to protect the rights of these groups, ensuring they are not interfered with and guard their rich cultural heritage. Over 1.5 million individuals in Canada identify with one of these groups.
Over time, there have been numerous treaties established between European governments and Indigenous Peoples, often focusing on hunting and fishing rights, religious practices, and trade relations. The 1876 Indian Act and subsequent policies have impacted the land rights and self-governance of Indigenous communities. Self-government agreements, such as those signed by Canadian Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Carolyn Bennett, offer the Métis peoples, and other Indigenous groups, a path to greater autonomy.
Contemporary issues still involve the repercussions of disregarded treaties and the struggle for increased representation and self-governance. This struggle acknowledges that Indigenous Peoples were the original governing entities of Canada and had not willingly surrendered their sovereignty to European settlers, which is supported by the Canadian Constitution.