本研究的主要對象是考察位於加拿大西部的英屬哥倫比亞 Sechelt原住民族自治區，由其所完成的 Sechelt Indian Band Self-Government Act（1986）。本研究將採取「結構聚焦式比較方法」進行考察，具體而言，即是要建構一個「概念架構」來引導後續研究的進行，以強化因果關係的觀察。首先就程序而言，究竟加拿大 Sechelt原住民族是在何種動機下，要求政府承認他們的自治權？到底加拿大政府為甚麼會願意同意 Sechelt原住民族的修法？究竟加拿大原住民族權利運動者與政府互動的場域何在？接著就實質內容來看，我們想要了解 Sechelt自治協定的內容，包含自治的依據、範圍與模式、權限、土地權的安排、以及財源。

In this study, we intend to look into how Sechelt Indigenous Peoples have exercised their rights to self-government. Specifically, we will examine three dimensions: political contexts and processes, institutional buildings, and practical challenges. Methodologically, we will employ the so-called structured focused comparison. In other words, we will construct a conceptual framework, where major variables are juxtaposed to reveal their causal relationships. It is expected that this framework will guide our inquiry without losing our path in idiosyncratic factors. We will then embark on our studies by endeavoring to answering three questions. Procedurally, under what circumstances and motivation did the Indigenous Peoples demand their rights to self-government? Why did the Canadian federal and provincial government yield to indigenous demands? Where were the major arenas for contestations? Substantively, we like to explore the contents of the self-government agreements, including legal bases, magnitudes and modes, powers, land rights, and financial guarantees. Finally, we will contrast these arrangements with the proposals made in Taiwan, with a particular interest in how challenges have been resolved.