During the 1980s things, in some ways, began to change radically. Legislation repatriating the Canadian Constitution from the United Kingdom was enacted by Canada's Parliament on December 2, 1981 - it was signed into law at a ceremony in Ottawa by Queen Elizabeth II on April 17, 1982. Some recognition was given to First Nations under Section 35, but this was no revolutionary development. A constitutional conference, mandatory under the provisions of the Constitution, was called to find a method to entrench First Nations self-government. The conference was held and it flopped. Canada was not yet willing to recognize First Nation inherent right to self-government, but at least the proposal is still on the table.

I attended the conference as an observer. The thing I recall most vividly was what a very highly placed provincial official said to an aide, in an unguarded moment, as he walked through the foyer of the building where the conference was being held. Not aware that I was within earshot he stated: "I don't give a fuck what those fucking Indians want, they're not getting it."