Grand Chief Delisle welcomes United Nations report on rights of Indigenous peoples
05/13/2014
Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) Grand Chief Michael Ahríhron Delisle, Jr. announced today his contentment with the report on the rights of Indigenous Peoples by United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur James Anaya.
The report to the Human Rights Council is an audit of the challenging relationship between Indigenous people and Canada, in relation to respecting and honoring constitutional, treaty and internationally-recognized rights outlined in the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (“The Declaration”).
The report addresses several issues surrounding governance, consultation, the shortfall of funds for services, and most notably due to the current Bill C-33 legislation controversy, education.
Section .87 of the report reads:
“The Government should work with indigenous peoples to enhance education opportunities for them, and in particular should consult with indigenous peoples,through their representative institutions, to address any outstanding concerns they may have related to the proposed First Nations Education Act, including with respect to adequate funding.”
“This report is critical for First Nations,” said Delisle. “As another legislative infringement of our rights [Bill C-33] is imposed, this report provides clarity to the public, both domestic and internationally, as to why our people are in strong opposition.”
The UN report provides recommendations that the Harper government can follow to address such concerns in a manner that is consistent with The Declaration.
Kahnawà:ke and several other nations will participate in the National Day of Resistance at Parliament Hill in Ottawa on May 14th.
For more information on Kahnawà:ke’s position, visit www.kahnawake.com .
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