AFN Renews Call For Full Support Of UN Declaration

AFN Renews Call For Full Support Of UN Declaration

Monday, September 13, 2010 at 14:35

It was three years ago today that the United Nations passed the declaration affirming the rights of Indigenous peoples.

Among other things, the measure states that Indigenous people are equal to all others and that the rights affirmed in treaties and other arrangements between states and Indigenous peoples are, in some situations, matters of international concern.

At the time the declaration was adopted, Canada was one of the few counties around the world to refuse to sign it.

Since that time, Ottawa has given the declaration qualified support.

That still isn’t good enough for Shawn Atleo.

The national chief of the Assembly of First Nations says the declaration is a very important statement on behalf of First Nations people.

He says if Canada were to endorse the declaration fully, it would signal the beginning of a new era between both sides.