MKO Advocates at United Nations to “Make UNDRIP Enforceable in Canada”

United Nations, New York Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Inc. (MKO), continues its dedicated efforts at the UN, to make the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) enforceable in Canada.

Despite the passage of Bill C-15, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, in 2021, which ensured the Government of Canada aligned its laws with the objectives of UNDRIP, MKO has identified significant gaps in its enforceability.

In his UN address, Brennan Manoakeesick, MKO’s Director of Intergovernmental Relations, emphasized the need for legislative amendments that go beyond mere aspirations, ensuring that Indigenous rights are protected and upheld in all aspects of Canadian law.

These include:

•  Amending the Interpretation Act to include an “UNDRIP affirmation clause.”
• Ensuring federal laws are interpreted and administered in alignment with UNDRIP.
• Establishing statutory obligations for funding and providing essential services to Indigenous communities.

Manoakeesick’s address was a powerful call to action for the Canadian government to adopt the amendments recommended by MKO and make UNDRIP enforceable in Canada.

“The objective to moving forward is to turn the current legal and constitutional paradigm around 180 degrees to ensure the acknowledged rights of Indigenous peoples and the meaningful exercise of these rights,” said Brennan Manoakeesick, MKO Director of Intergovernmental Relations.

As an NGO in Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), MKO has been at the forefront of advocating for the recognition and implementation of Indigenous rights. Grand Chief Settee and the MKO team also met with the Special Rapporteur in the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Dr. Albert Barume.

MKO calls on the Canadian government to adopt these amendments and make UNDRIP enforceable, ensuring that Indigenous rights are protected and upheld in all aspects of Canadian law.

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For more information:

Jill Macyshon, MKO Communications Officer
Email: jill.macyshon@mkonorth.com
Web: www.mkonation.com

NT4