A coalition of Indigenous governments and organizations are descending on New York this week for the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.
According to the Assembly of First Nations, themselves along with representatives from PAGC and Black Lake Denesuline First Nation will use the forum to rebuke Canada for mass incarceration of Indigenous Peoples.
According to the AFN, Indigenous people represent 5% of the Canadian population, but 33% of the population of people in federal prisons are Indigenous.
“This is systemic racism rooted in colonialism, not individual failure,” said PAGC Grand Chief Brian Hardlotte.
The Grand Chief would point to the case of Joey Toutsaint as an example of the “profound” harm that this system continues to inflict on Indigenous People.
Toutsaint, a member of Black Lake Denesuline First Nation, was held for over 3,000 days in intermittent solitary confinement in violation of U.N. rules.
“These conditions are driving disproportionate rates of self-harm and suicide and constitute a serious threat to the health and well-being of Indigenous Peoples,” said Hardlotte.
The Indigenous groups and leaders are also calling for more funding and authority to Indigenous governments and organizations to battle the high incarceration rates.
“Governments at all levels in Canada must follow the lead of First Nations to restore our ways of justice, healing, and reconciliation,” said AFN National Chief Cindy Woodhouse-Nepinak.
“The solution is clear, respect our right to self-determination and end the mass incareration of Indigenous peoples,” added Grand Chief Hardlotte.
The 25th session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Peoples will run until early May.
(TOP PHOTO – PAGC Grand Chief Brian Hardlotte. File photo)