MPs Vote To Endorse UN Indigenous Declaration

MPs Vote To Endorse UN Indigenous Declaration

Wednesday, April 09, 2008 at 13:13

A resolution was passed in the House of Commons yesterday to endorse the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples — a move that is being welcomed by Aboriginal groups across the nation.

It also called on the Conservative government to fully implement the standards contained in the document.

Canada was one of only four countries to oppose the declaration when it was adopted last September.

The Harper government has since claimed it is not applicable in Canada.

During debate yesterday, Tory MPs argued the declaration would undo centuries of Canadian treaties with Aboriginal peoples.

Treaty 6 international chief Willie Littlechild calls that position “ridiculous”.

Littlechild says the declaration explicitly states that treaties and other agreements with Indigenous peoples are to be honoured and respected.