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The article discusses the history of self-governance and organization among Canada's Indigenous peoples. Topics include the role of wampum belts in diplomacy conducted by tribes, the social context of reef-net fishing by the Strait Salish people, and the tradition of buffalo hunts among Métis people in relation to self-governance.

The article presents a reprint of Patricia Monture's article on the Indian and Northern Affairs of Canada's initiative to reform the Indian Act (IA) in 2001, which was published in the summer 2002 issue of the magazine. Topics mentioned include the First Nations governance, the areas of focus of the consultation process for the initiative including accountability and elections, and the consequences of the disenfranchising qualities of the IA for Aboriginal women.

An interview is provided with the Canadian national chief of the Assembly of First Nations Perry Bellegarde. When asked about his parents, he comments on the impact that his father's attending of residential schools had on his parenting. He discusses encountering racist attitudes he has experienced as an Indigenous person. When asked about his political career, he recounts chiefs and elders asking him in Cree language to become a leader for his people.

The article focuses on the Canadian court case William v. British Columbia, which dealt with the Canadian government's treaty process with First Nation Indians. Topics include the consultation between the Canadian government and the First Nation leaders, the declaration of aboriginal rights, and land claim and usage rights.

The article reports on the initiatives taken and, challenges faced by, the Canadian government, in bringing First Nation people in the mainstream of the country. The government, as reported, has signed an agreement with Tsawwassen community, under which the community will receive $15.8 million for start-up costs, in exchange for some of their rights and title. However, Gitxsan people, has asked for an alternative agreement, that allows their relationship to the entirety of their territory.

The article discusses the creation of the Canadian territory of Nunavut, formerly part of the Northwest Territories, arising from the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement Act, adopted in 1993. The territory has four official languages: Inuktitut, Inuinnaqtun, English, and French, and is largely comprised of Nunavummiut.

Several corrections to previously printed articles are presented including an article about air quality in airplanes from the June 23, 2007 issue, an article about a class action suit by indigenous Canadians in the May 5, 2007 issue, and an article about computer hacker attacks in the June 30, 2007 issue.

Several letters to the editor are presented in response to articles including "Warm Hearts, Cold Reality" in the August 22, 2016 issue, "We Looked at Each Other and Kind of Knew" in the same issue, and "Mayors: 0/9. MPs 1/14. Councillors: 1/19" in the August 8, 2016 issue.

The article discusses Bernard Valcourt, the Canadian minister for Aborighinal affairs and northern development, and his response to demands of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) for national inquiry into missing and murdered Aboriginal women. Topics include his experience in Aboriginal policy under Prime Minister Brian Mulroney in the 1980's, Valcourt's support of the First Nations Transparency Act, and his negotiations with AFN national chief Shawn Atleo on the First Nations education law.

The article discusses the finances of Canadian First Nations Aboriginal bands, focusing on the implications of the 2013 Canadian First Nations Financial Transparency Act. Topics include the tax-free salaries of Aboriginal politicians, the effects of natural resource development on tribal economics, and the politics of different bands' financial management.

An obituary is presented for First Nations indigenous leader Arthur Manuel.

An interview is presented with Shawn Atleo, Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, an organization of Indians of North America in Canada. Atleo discusses social conditions in his home community of Ahousaht, British Colombia. He says education is the top priority for leaders of Indian tribes and communities in Canada. Atleo discusses his relationship with Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

The article looks at the 2015 Canadian election, focusing on the contest between Niki Ashton of the New Democratic Party (NDP) and Rebecca Chartrand of the Liberal Party in the Churchill-Keewatinook Aski district in Manitoba. It notes Chartrand is from an Indigenous Canadian community and has been involved in political issues including the large number of missing and murdered Indigenous women.

In this article, the author discusses the importance of gaining historical knowledge about the First Nations people of Canada as a necessary step in initiating dialogue between Canadians and First Nations people and correcting the poor social conditions the latter face. She argues for the inclusion of topics related to First Nations within Canadian history curricula, with focus given to Canadian federal First Nations policy.

The article discusses economic growth and development plans by members of First Nations, groups of Aboriginal people in Canada, in 2013. Topics include plans to raise money through a bond issue in capital markets; government funding and bank loans for Aboriginal bands, including Membertou First Nation; and comments on economic conditions for First Nations by Ernie Daniels, president of the First Nations Finance Authority (FNFA).