Take Action
Faith in the Declaration is a website dedicated to Bill C-15. This coalition of various faith groups sets out 5 actions you can take, including sending your version of the letter below, to see that the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People’s is fully adopted in Canada. Join in.
The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples is the most comprehensive international human rights instrument to specifically address Indigenous Peoples’ economic, social, cultural, political, civil, spiritual and environmental rights. In its own words, the Declaration sets out minimum standards necessary for the “dignity, survival and well-being” of Indigenous Peoples.
The UN General Assembly overwhelmingly adopted the Declaration on 13 September 2007. This historic adoption followed more than 20 years of deliberation and debate in which Indigenous Peoples worked directly with states to elaborate upon and advance their human rights.
The Declaration affirms the inherent or pre-existing collective human rights of Indigenous Peoples, as well as the human rights of Indigenous individuals. It provides a framework for justice and reconciliation, applying existing human rights standards to the specific historical, cultural and social circumstances of Indigenous Peoples.
The Honourable Dan Christmas,
Chair, Senate Standing Committee, Aboriginal Peoples, Senate of Canada
Dear Senator,
I write not only to express my support for Bill C-15, An Act respecting the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, but more importantly, to encourage you and your fellow Senators to expedite its passage in the Senate.
As you are aware, a very similar Bill, C-262, was previously passed by the House of Commons but unfortunately died in the Senate when the 2019 election was called. We cannot again miss this essential step towards reconciliation. Please prioritize Bill C-15 so that this legislation can be passed by the Senate before the Summer 2021 recess.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action #48 denotes the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (Declaration) as the framework for reconciliation. The Calls for Justice from the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls also assert the Declaration’s significance in upholding Indigenous peoples’ fundamental and inherent rights.
As a person of faith, I believe that reconciliation with Indigenous peoples is paramount to our common wellbeing. As a citizen, I intend to continue in the urgent work for the recognition and implementation of Indigenous peoples’ human rights so that justice becomes a hallmark of our collective future.
Implementation of the Declaration is unfinished business for Canada. The Senate has an historic opportunity to contribute to a proud legacy for our country’s journey towards reconciliation with the Indigenous peoples of this land. I urge you to take up this challenge by moving Bill C-15 to Royal Assent as quickly as possible and before Parliament adjourns for the summer.