UNDRIP in Canada: What It Is, Why It Matters, and Its Role in Reconciliation – ICC

In 2007, the United Nations adopted the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) a global framework for protecting and promoting Indigenous peoples’ rights worldwide. The resolution, which took nearly two decades of negotiations before its formalization, is comprised of 46 articles covering a wide range of subjects. Among these include stipulations on the right to self-determination, economic freedom, cultural preservation, and participation in decision-making processes affecting Indigenous communities.

At its core, UNDRIP emphasizes the importance of self-determination for Indigenous communities, particularly in relation to development projects, resource extraction and self-governance. The principles laid out in UNDRIP are not just aspirational but reflect the global recognition of Indigenous peoples’ inherent rights to autonomy.

In the Canadian context, the adoption of UNDRIP is of particular significance. Canada formally endorsed the Declaration in 2016, followed by the groundbreaking passage of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (UNDRIP Act) in 2021. This legislation mandates that Canadian laws align with UNDRIP’s principles, creating a legal pathway to honour Indigenous rights.

Read More: https://www.indigenouschambermb.ca/2025/01/23/undrip-in-canada-what-it-is-why-it-matters-and-its-role-in-reconciliation/