AFN Chief Perry Bellegarde. File photo.
Assembly of First Nations Chief Perry Bellegarde is encouraged that Canada will now be supporting the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
The federal government removed its objector status to the UN declaration, which recognizes Indigenous peoples’ basic human rights, as well as rights to self-determination and language, equality and land, among others.
Bellegarde was at the United Nations Permanent Forum for Indigenous Issues last week in New York City and says the federal government has removed any lingering doubts respecting Canada’s position and put Canada formally on record as fully committed to the standard of free, prior and informed consent expressed in the UN Declaration.
The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) was adopted by the General Assembly in 2007. Canada did not vote in favor, and it wasn’t until last year that the current government decided to become a full supporter of the declaration.
Bellegarde says since the adoption of the UN Declaration 10 years ago, a great deal of work has been done and significant progress has been made in acknowledging the importance of Indigenous peoples’ rights as a human rights priority.
“This session of the UN Permanent Forum was especially notable because discussions here have potential to bring us a step closer to greater participation and recognition as Indigenous peoples in UN bodies, including the General Assembly,” he said.
Bellegarde says the AFN will be working on a joint action plan with the federal government for the implementation of the declaration from the world body.
“The next step is to work with Indigenous peoples to develop a National Action Plan for implementation as required by Canada’s international obligations – a plan and a process to establish joint decision-making on all matters that impact our rights,” said Bellegarde.
He says the international standard is free, prior, and informed consent and that states should never undertake unilateral actions impacting our inherent rights, title and jurisdiction – nothing about us without us.
Bellegarde says the two sides will be working on rebuilding the important relationship between Indigenous peoples and the rest of Canadian society to close the gaps that have been created over the past century.
“There will be more respect for treaty rights and inherent rights and provide that hope and inspiration for our young men and women”, he added.
Bellegarde says that there should be political processes in place to make sure that all treaty rights are honored rather than having to deal with them in the Supreme Court.