"With the Appropriate Qualifications": Aboriginal People and Employment Equity [Canadian Women Studies Vol 26 Iss 3-4]

"Despite the many statutes and even constitutional documents that propose to implement a society free of racism and discrimination, immense barriers still exist that prevent us from reaching our full potential. The Canadian government has implemented measures to ensure that employment equity becomes a reality. The four designated groups--women, Aboriginal Peoples, visible minorities, and people with disabilities--have statutory and constitutional measures designed to increase their employment. The focus of this paper, Aboriginal Peoples, reflects my experience as a Mi'kmaq woman facing barriers to employment due to my race/gender. I will critically analyze the barriers and propose suggestions for change. This paper also explores the construct of employment equity in Canada. First, I examine the vision of employment equity through legislation and constitutional instruments and explore the law in Canada that supports employment equity. Second, I explore the reality that Aboriginal faculty encounter in the workplace."