Statement by Minister Wilson-Raybould on International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples

From Department of Justice Canada

August 9, 2017 – Ottawa, Ontario – Justice Canada

The Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, has issued the following statement:

“Today we celebrate the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples and the 10th anniversary of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which was adopted by the General Assembly on September 13, 2007.

“The recognition of rights – in particular the inherent right of self-government and the right to self-determination – is a large part of the foundation of the reconciliation we are committed to realizing here in Canada. The UN Declaration, along with the recently released Principles Respecting the Government of Canada’s Relationship with Indigenous Peoples, will serve as fundamental tools for advancing reconciliation. Our government is moving forward with implementing the UN Declaration through the Working Group of Ministers on the Review of Laws and Policies, as well as other collaborative initiatives and actions.

“As we mark the tenth anniversary of the UN Declaration, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all those who for 25 years, advocated for, drafted and negotiated an international declaration of Indigenous rights. Many Indigenous leaders from Canada were among those who strove to make the UN Declaration a reality. These efforts have helped lay the ground work for a rights-based approach to renewing the Indigenous-Crown relationship based on recognition of rights, respect, cooperation and partnership.

“Reconciliation is a journey, not a destination. Change comes through actions, not words. We – Canada and Indigenous peoples – all have work to do, and it will be challenging. As Indigenous peoples continue to take back control of their lives, Canada as a federation is strengthened. In our country’s 150th year, it is our time to ask what we want the next 150 years to look like and the place Indigenous peoples will have in making Canada an even greater nation.”

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Kathleen Davis
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Office of the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
613-992-4621

Media Relations
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