United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (Canada)

Statement in support of Education Jurisdiction Agreements in British Columbia

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, August 10, 2023
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Through the conclusion of these self-government agreements, the Participating First Nations now have recognized law-making authority over Kindergarten-Grade 12 education on their lands.

Key Points: 
  • Through the conclusion of these self-government agreements, the Participating First Nations now have recognized law-making authority over Kindergarten-Grade 12 education on their lands.
  • Implementing these Education Jurisdiction Agreements recognizes the First Nations' inherent rights of self-determination and self-government.
  • This year, we have collectively replaced the Education Jurisdiction Framework Agreement (EJFA) to better reflect the changing landscape of education jurisdiction in British Columbia now that Education Jurisdiction Agreements are being implemented by Participating First Nations and FNEA has become operational.
  • The discussions over education jurisdiction in British Columbia have been underway for over 20 years.

First Regional Energy and Resource Tables Collaboration Framework for Accelerating a Low-Carbon Economy Released

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, June 27, 2023
Carbon, United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (Canada), Richard Bond (political executive), Aborigine, Collaboration, First Nations, Aviation, Rights, Strategic Innovation Fund, Forest, Natural Resources, Wood, Investment, Economic development, Federation, Transport, UBCIC, Environment, Mining, Area studies, Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs, Semiahmoo First Nation, Innovation, Research, Government, Indigenous self-government in Canada, First Nations Summit, Leadership Council, AVL, Natural Resources Canada, Climate change, Fossil, Water, Beclometasone, Path, Union, Rural area, United Nations, Hydrogen, Equal, GHG, Capacity building, Ecosystem, Health, Renewable energy, Creative industries, Table, Indigenous

The Canada– British Columbia Regional Energy and Resource Tables (B.C.

Key Points: 
  • The Canada– British Columbia Regional Energy and Resource Tables (B.C.
  • The Collaboration Framework is the first of its kind to emerge from the nine Regional Tables launched to date.
  • "The Regional Energy and Resource Tables initiative represents an important opportunity to foster and grow First Nations' participation in clean energy projects.
  • "The Regional Energy and Resource Tables are a novel initiative that allow us to seize the enormous economic opportunities associated with building a net-zero economy.

How Indigenous economic development corporations can support a just, low-carbon energy transition

Retrieved on: 
Monday, June 26, 2023
People, Partnership, United Nations, United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (Canada), Disruptor (video game), Fishery, First Nations, Rights, Research, Wind, Forestry, Gross domestic product, National Band Council of Australia, Mining, Band, Biomass, Ownership, EDC, Whaling, Renewable energy, Indigenous

A growing number of First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities are establishing economic development corporations (EDCs), of which many are involved in the renewable energy sector.

Key Points: 
  • A growing number of First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities are establishing economic development corporations (EDCs), of which many are involved in the renewable energy sector.
  • The role of Indigenous EDCs in the renewable energy sector has so far been unclear.
  • Today, Indigenous communities are involved in hundreds of large renewable energy projects and thousands of small ones.

Renewable energy

    • As a business, the EDC may enter into partnerships and joint ventures, including owning renewable energy projects.
    • In partnership with the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business, we surveyed and interviewed eight representatives of First Nation EDCs with active renewable energy projects.
    • Indigenous communities can be involved in renewable energy projects in a number of ways.

Benefits of ownership

    • These types of agreements typically offer less control and economic benefits compared to when a community has meaningful or full ownership shares in a project.
    • Although all types of governance and ownership structures will likely provide some form of economic benefits, Indigenous ownership in a renewable energy project offers more control over decision-making and community pride.

Financial risks

    • Despite the stronger benefits of ownership, our findings show Indigenous communities own few large renewable energy projects.
    • Our interviews confirmed that not every community strives for whole ownership in renewable energy projects.
    • Some interviewees pointed out that the financial risk of greater project ownership may be too high for their community to take on.
    • With the right support, more EDCs could be involved in the development of renewable energy projects.

Métis National Council Joins Announcement of the Release of UNDRIP Action Plan

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, June 22, 2023
United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (Canada), United Nations, Member, Assembly, Action plan, Rights, Indigenous peoples, Human, Assembly of First Nations, Government, MNC, Accession Declaration Act 1910, UN Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief, Action, National Council, National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking, UN, Cassidy, Indigenous self-government in Canada, First Nations, Federation, Property management

“Today’s release by Canada of the Action Plan to advance Métis rights and needs indicates the potential for reconciliation and better days moving forward.

Key Points: 
  • “Today’s release by Canada of the Action Plan to advance Métis rights and needs indicates the potential for reconciliation and better days moving forward.
  • While the Action Plan is not perfect, the Métis National Council recognizes the work Canada has done to draft the Action Plan working with Indigenous governments and representative institutions.
  • The Action Plan is a “living document” and the Métis National Council (MNC) will continue to work with Canada to implement the measures set out in the Action Plan.
  • Since 1983, the Métis National Council has been the national and international voice of the Métis Nation within Canada.

Call for Minister of Justice to Not Exclude Congress of Aboriginal Peoples (CAP) from Equitable Access to Rights

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, June 21, 2023
United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (Canada), United Nations, Justice, The Honourable, CAP, Congress of Aboriginal Peoples, Indigenous peoples, Rights, UNDRIP, Government, Parliament, Congress, National Indigenous Peoples Day, National Council, Letter, UNDA, Whaling, Property management

Additionally, the letter asserts that this exclusion is an "attempt to further colonize and assimilate our communities, who represent all Aboriginal distinctions, including off-reserve status and non-status Indians, Métis, and Southern Inuit Indigenous peoples."

Key Points: 
  • Additionally, the letter asserts that this exclusion is an "attempt to further colonize and assimilate our communities, who represent all Aboriginal distinctions, including off-reserve status and non-status Indians, Métis, and Southern Inuit Indigenous peoples."
  • It urges the government to:
    Uphold the rights of CAP's communities and ensure equitable access to the measures outlined in the UNDA Action Plan.
  • Take action on all measures provided by CAP and its communities that were not included in the final UNDA Action Plan.
  • The Congress of Aboriginal Peoples represents the interests of Métis, status and non-status Indians, and Southern Inuit Indigenous People living off-reserve.

New amendments to the First Nations Fiscal Management Act receive Royal Assent

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, June 20, 2023
Exercise, FMA, Optimism, United Nations, Senate, United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (Canada), Commons, Act, NPO FunX, First Nations, Royal assent, Quality of life, Rights, Naut'sa mawt Tribal Council, House of Commons of Canada, UNDRIP, House of Commons, The Act, Government, Parliament, Indigenous peoples, FMB, Economic development, Indigenous self-government in Canada, Financial management, House, Legislation, Mining, Property management, Crown

"These amendments to the First Nations Fiscal Management Act will support Indigenous communities to advance self-determination and socio-economic development.

Key Points: 
  • "These amendments to the First Nations Fiscal Management Act will support Indigenous communities to advance self-determination and socio-economic development.
  • The First Nations Fiscal Management Act first received Royal Assent on March 23, 2005, and came into force on April 1, 2006.
  • The First Nations Fiscal Management Act is optional legislation that provides First Nations governments with authority over financial management, property taxation and local revenues, and financing for infrastructure and economic development.
  • Since the adoption of the First Nations Fiscal Management Act, 348 First Nations have chosen to participate under the Act.

Government of Canada and Assembly of First Nations chart a joint path for new and updated priorities on climate action

Retrieved on: 
Monday, June 19, 2023
Indigenous Services Canada, Communication, Partnership, United Nations, United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (Canada), Assembly, Natural Resources Canada, Infrastructure Canada, Policy, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Rights, Woman, Joint committee, First Nations, Climate change, Crown, Elder, Assembly of First Nations, Government, First, Biodiversity loss, Report, Nature, Annual report, Crown–Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, Indigenous self-government in Canada, Environment, Region, Government of Canada, Renewable energy, Whaling, QC, Indigenous

Today, the Assembly of First Nations and the Government of Canada released the fifth Annual Report of the Joint Committee on Climate Action.

Key Points: 
  • Today, the Assembly of First Nations and the Government of Canada released the fifth Annual Report of the Joint Committee on Climate Action.
  • The Joint Committee on Climate Action also advanced the development of a First Nations Climate Leadership Agenda through comprehensive dialogue with First Nations' leaders from across the country.
  • The Joint Committee on Climate Action commits to holding discussions and making progress on five priorities in 2023:
    Reviewing federal clean growth and climate change policy and programs through the First Nations Climate Lens.
  • The Joint Committee on Climate Action seeks to promote First Nations' full and effective participation in federal climate action.

Stronger chemicals management and the right to a healthy environment: Canada's cornerstone environmental law has been modernized

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, June 14, 2023
Advertising, Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, Food and Drugs Act, Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, United Nations, The Honourable, Senate, United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (Canada), CEPA, Commons, London Protocol, Cancer, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Rights, Climate change, Canadian House of Commons Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development, Mercury, Rotterdam Convention, Reproduction, Government, Sale, Science, Parliament, River, Asbestos, BPA, Government of Canada, Environment, Environmental Protection Act, Health, FDA, House, Food, Legislation, Lake, Environmental remediation, Nursing

The Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA) is one of Canada's core environmental laws to fight pollution and protect the environment and Canadians from its effects.

Key Points: 
  • The Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA) is one of Canada's core environmental laws to fight pollution and protect the environment and Canadians from its effects.
  • CEPA provides the tools to address a wide range of pollution sources, including from chemicals, biotechnology products, vehicles, engines, fuels, hazardous wastes, and environmental emergencies.
  • "The world has changed in the last 20 years, and as of today, Canada's cornerstone environmental law has changed with it.
  • The modernization of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) responds to a changing global chemicals landscape and consideration of new science.

Muskeg Lake Cree Nation and Canada announce a new roadmap for advancing reconciliation and self-determination

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, June 13, 2023
Letter, Partnership, United Nations, United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (Canada), First Nations, Quality of life, Rights, Government, Treaty 6, Indigenous peoples, Indigenous rights, Letter of understanding, Indian Act, Child, Economic development, Indigenous self-government in Canada, Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Health, Malahat First Nation, Oil, Mining, Medical device, Crown, Muskeg Lake Cree Nation

This includes child and family services, policing and justice reform, public safety, health and other initiatives designed to promote community well-being and advance reconciliation.

Key Points: 
  • This includes child and family services, policing and justice reform, public safety, health and other initiatives designed to promote community well-being and advance reconciliation.
  • "Muskeg Lake Cree Nation is taking these steps that affirm and uphold our inherent right of self-government, based on our Treaty relationship with the Crown.
  • We acknowledge the Muskeg Lake leaders of the past that never departed from upholding our inherent rights and Treaty relationship."
  • "Today we are marking an important step toward a renewed relationship with Muskeg Lake Cree Nation.

Taking action to ensure all federal laws uphold Aboriginal and treaty rights

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, June 8, 2023
Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982, Partnership, Constitution Act, 1982, United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (Canada), United Nations, Justice, Senate, Feedback, Aborigine, Department of Justice (Canada), State Affairs Commission of North Korea, Rights, Indigenous peoples, Language, Constitution Act, Government, Section 5 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Organization, Interpretation Act 1889, Interpretation Act, Crown–Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, First Nations, Indigenous self-government in Canada, United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Interpretation, Constitution, Legislation, Whaling, Indigenous

Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982 affirms Aboriginal and treaty rights of Indigenous peoples in Canada.

Key Points: 
  • Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982 affirms Aboriginal and treaty rights of Indigenous peoples in Canada.
  • Aboriginal rights, also referred to as Indigenous rights, are the collective rights of First Nations, Inuit and Métis as the original peoples of Canada.
  • Treaty rights are rights set out in either a historic or modern treaty.
  • Rather, it would promote a consistent approach by clearly stating that all federal laws (including statues and regulations) are to be interpreted as upholding section 35 Aboriginal and treaty rights.