Thomas Flanagan has published a great article in the Globe on restructuring property rights on First Nations communities. I liked how Flanagan distinguished his specific proposal from the famous Dawes General Allotment Act passed by the US Congress in 1887.
The Dawes Act of 1887
The creators of the Dawes Act attempted to use the concept of private property to destroy aboriginal culture. Flanagan makes it clear that his proposal is not aimed at assimilating the First Nations. He just wants to empower them economically.
The Past Speaks 
The approach is promissing indeed. It’s interesting to note that this approach can also be incorporated in the framework of a modernisation of treaties. The Nisga’a Treaty of 2000 (in BC), the first contemporary Indian treaty in Canada, incorporates land ownership within its terms, making the natives true custodians – and owners – of their lands and thus creating an impetus for economic growth.
However, it did not stop there. It also gave the Nisga’a certain legislative and policy powers (more than a municipality, but much less than a province). My feeling is that such a recognition of their collective rights is also a part of the process of empowerment.
@Joel. You wrote: “My feeling is that such a recognition of their collective rights is also a part of the process of empowerment.”
Absolutely.