Harper Challenged By AFN On Racism Elimination Day

Harper Challenged By AFN On Racism Elimination Day

Tuesday, March 18, 2008 at 13:04

Today is the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination — and the Assembly of First Nations is using the occasion to send a message to Ottawa.

AFN National Chief Phil Fontaine notes common experience payments issued to residential school survivors in the last year is a positive step.

However, Fontaine says the AFN continues to wait for Prime Minister Harper to discuss and finalize the appointment of commissioners to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

He also says his group is waiting for the Prime Minister to draft an apology to all former residential school students and their families.

Fontaine is also encouraging Harper to follow the lead of the new government in Australia by reversing its position on the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Canada was one of only a handful of countries worldwide that opposed that statement.