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Fontaine, Simon and Chartier
congratulate Canadian Parliament for their support of
the United Nations Declaration on Rights of Indigenous
Peoples Politics
OTTAWA, April 9, 2007 - The National
Chief of the Assembly of First Nations Phil Fontaine,
the President of the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami Mary Simon
and the President of the Metis National Council Clement
Chartier together announced their overwhelming support
for yesterday's decision by the Canadian Parliament
to endorse the United Nations Declaration on the Rights
of Indigenous Peoples on April 8, 2008.
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"I am very optimistic about the
support demonstrated yesterday by Members of Parliament
who voted on a motion that called for the government
to endorse the United Nations Declaration on the Rights
of Indigenous Peoples as adopted by the United Nations
General Assembly on 13th September, 2007," Phil
Fontaine, National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations
noted. "I am pleased that the majority of MPs showed
their support for this internationally supported Declaration
and I look forward to working with those supporters
to implement the human right standards noted in the
Declaration. I would also encourage all provincial and
territorial governments to adopt motions of support
for this very important Declaration like the Government
of Northwest Territories did."
"The UN Declaration promotes
minimum human rights standards necessary to the 'survival,
dignity
and well-being of the Indigenous peoples of the world.'
These include the right of self-determination, protections
from discrimination and genocide, and recognition of
rights to lands, territories and
resources that are essential to the identity, health
and livelihood of Indigenous peoples," Mary Simon
National Leader for Inuit of Canada stated. "That
this Parliament now acknowledges this standard is an
important touchstone in the relations between the government
and the indigenous populations." Clem Chartier,
President of the Métis National Council also
recognizes "the important step gained in the majority
will of Parliament who represent the majority of Canadians
to support a fundamental human rights instrument that
bolsters the rights of all Indigenous peoples."
"The Métis Nation in solidarity
with all Indigenous peoples in Canada look forward to
the full implementation of the Declaration at home,"
he said.
During the House of Commons debate
over the resolution, government spokespersons claimed
that the Declaration would undo centuries of Canadian
treaties with Indigenous peoples despite the
fact that the UN Declaration explicitly states that
treaties and other agreements with Indigenous
peoples are to be respected.
The Declaration also contains numerous
provisions which explicitly state that it is to be balanced
against other human rights protections and interpreted
in accordance with principles of democracy,
good governance and respect for the rights of all.
The Assembly of First Nations is the
national organization representing First Nations citizens
in
Canada. ITK is the national voice of Canada's Inuit.
The MNC represents Metis people in Canada.
Assembly of First Nations
Amnesty International Canada
Canadian Friends Service Committee (Quakers)
First Nations Summit Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou
Istchee)
International Organization of Indigenous Resource Development
(IOIRD)
Inuit Circumpolar Council (Canada)
Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami
KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives
Native Women's Association of Canada
For more information:
Joshua Kirkey
A/Team Lead of Communications and Education
(613) 722-3033 ext. 231, mobile (613) 290-5680
or toll free (800) 461-4043
jkirkey@nwac-hq.org
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