June 16, 2021 – Anchorage, Alaska – The Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC) views the passage of Bill C-15 in Canada to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) as an historic step towards supporting the distinct human rights of Indigenous peoples in Canada and those across the globe.
“From an international human rights perspective, Canada’s passage of legislation to implement UNDRIP within Canada sends a strong message to the global community about the importance of Indigenous human rights, the evolution of our rights at the international level, and the need for implementation of our interrelated rights at the domestic level,” said ICC Chair Dalee Sambo Dorough. “The development of UNDRIP took decades to achieve and get over the goal line with its adoption by the UN General Assembly in 2007. Canada abstained at that time and only fully endorsed UNDRIP in November 2010. The passage of Bill C-15 marks an historic milestone for Inuit and our rights. It is an important step toward honoring the solemn obligations undertaken by Canada to take national action and to comprehensively implement the UN Declaration.”
The UNDRIP is an international human rights instrument adopted by the United Nations on September 13, 2007, to affirm the rights that constitute the minimum standards for the survival, dignity and well-being of the Indigenous peoples of the world. It contains 46 articles that together protect collective rights that may not be addressed in other human rights charters that emphasize individual rights, and it also safeguards the individual rights of Indigenous peoples.
Canada’s Bill C-15 will harmonize Canadian law with the UNDRIP. The bill’s summary says it “provides that the Government of Canada must take all measures necessary to ensure that the laws of Canada are consistent with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and must prepare and implement an action plan to achieve the objectives of the Declaration.”
Recently at the Arctic Council’s 12th Ministerial Meeting in Reykjavik, Iceland the resulting Declaration included support for the UNDRIP. “Recognizing the rights and the special circumstances of Indigenous Peoples and the unique role of the Permanent Participants within the Arctic Council and noting the United Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.” ICC continues to advocate for greater inclusion of Indigenous Peoples in decision-making at the Arctic Council.
“The passing of this legislation means there’s hope for Indigenous peoples to be true partners with the Federal Government to prepare an action plan in hopes to end and truly address injustices, combat prejudice, and eliminate all forms of violence and discrimination against Indigenous peoples,” said ICC Canada President Monica Ell-Kanayuk. “The ITK Board of Directors discussed Bill C-15, which is the same Board as ICC Canada. We know this legislation does not go as far as we had wished, and does not include amendments Inuit had submitted. But we will work with it, and continue to advocate for its strong implementation within our democratic institutions.”
ICC Greenland President Hjalmar Dahl stated, “It is a positive development that Canada is stepping forward to get the laws nationally to be consistent with the UNDRIP – and inclusion of language supporting the UN Declaration in the Reykjavik Ministerial gives a good possibility for us to advance our self-determination in regards to meaningful participation in the Arctic Council. Good developments.”
In conclusion, ICC Alaska President Jimmy Stotts commented, “I think that what the Canadian government is doing is a shining example for the rest of the world on the right way to approach the relationship with Indigenous peoples in Canada. We are hopeful that in the future the USA will decide to take a similar approach.”
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Contact:
Kelly Eningowuk
ICC (Alaska)
kelly@iccalaska.org
907-274-9058
Tukumminnguaq Nykjær Olsen
ICC (Greenland)
tukumminnguaq@inuit.org
Stephen Hendrie
ICC (Canada)
type88@post.com
613 668 1923