Assembly of First Nations

AFN Regional Chief of Alberta

P.O. Box 1688, Maskwacis, AB T0C 1N0
Phone: (780) 585-4238 Fax: (780) 585-4297

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Press Statement
Regional Chief Craig Makinaws Statement on Canadas Unqualified Support for
the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
May 16, 2016, Maskwacis, AB: Carolyn Bennett, the Minister of Indigenous and
Northern Affairs, announced during the 15th Session of the United Nations Forum on
Indigenous Issues, Canadas unqualified support for the United Nations Declaration on
the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).
I join Indigenous Peoples in welcoming Canadas unqualified support for UNDRIP,
however I am also cautious of Canadas stated intention to breathe new life to sec. 35 of
the Constitution and comments that a legislative framework is not necessary to
implement UNDRIP. Real change, reconciliation and unqualified support will come
from change to government policies, practice and laws. A legislative framework is
needed to implement UNDRIP, and it must be developed in full and meaningful
consultation with Indigenous Peoples.
The Declaration itself calls on governments to work together with Indigenous Peoples
to create laws, shape policies, and provide funds to implement the Declaration.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commissions Calls to Action, calls upon the federal
government to implement UNDRIP as a framework for reconciliation and in
consultation and cooperation with Indigenous Peoples develop a national action plan to
achieve the Declarations objectives.
The Declaration is a international document developed by Indigenous Peoples from all
over the world, and contains 46 articles which address Indigenous Peoples right to selfdetermination, cultural identity, free prior and informed consent, protection from
discrimination, and addresses life, liberty, culture, security, religion, language, education,
media, employment, participation, development, lands and resources, self-government,
and Indigenous laws.
The Working Group responsible for drafting the Declaration considered other human
rights agreements and conventions affecting Indigenous Peoples such as the ILO
Convention 169, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and the Convention on the

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Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, and sets out the minimum
standard for how governments should respect the individual and collective rights of
Indigenous Peoples.
The United Nations adopted UNDRIP in 2007, however Canada, the United States, New
Zealand and Australia refused to endorse it. Canada reversed their position in 2010,
however they regularly used terms like non-binding and aspirational. Statements were
made that the existing laws and policy such as the Constitution Act, 1982 and the Charter
of Rights and Freedoms were sufficient and no change would be required.
Indigenous Peoples have been waiting a long time for real change. Canada has
prospered while First Nations children and families on reserve ranked 63rd on the Human
Development Index. First Nations have to go to the courts to have our constitutionally
protected Aboriginal and Treaty rights upheld. Recently, the Canadian Human Rights
Tribunal ruled that Canada discriminates against children and families on reserve. The
road has been long.
The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) is of
special significance to the Indigenous Peoples of Maskwacis. Many individuals from
Alberta and this territory worked tirelessly for more than 45 years for the recognition and
protection of Indigenous rights. Maskwacis Nations played a key role in preventing the
patriation of the Canadian Constitution until Aboriginal and Treaty rights were protected
and entrenched in the Act. Wilton Littlechild, who was also on the legal team fighting for
this recognition was chair of the United Nations Working Group, which began drafting
the Declaration in 1985.
Craig Makinaw is the elected Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Regional Chief for
Alberta.
- 30 For more information contact:
Ann Gladue-Buffalo (587) 588 7254