Indigenous and human rights organizations stand in solidarity with Chief
Theresa Spence in her appeal for full respect for Aboriginal and Treaty rights
by the government of Canada. There is an urgent need for Canada to demonstrate
genuine respect and long-term commitment, initiated by a meeting between First
Nations’ leadership, the Prime Minister and the Governor General.
Full honour and implementation of Indigenous peoples' Treaties are crucial to
the evolution of Canada and the principle of federalism. Cooperative and
harmonious relations cannot be achieved by devaluing Treaties or by unilateral
government actions.
We firmly support grassroots actions of the "Idle No More" movement. It has
put the spotlight on federal policy and legislative agendas that are trampling
the inherent rights of Indigenous peoples affirmed in domestic and international
law.
Human rights – not colonialism
In 2012, the Supreme Court of Canada highlighted "the history of colonialism,
displacement, and residential schools and how that history continues to
translate into lower educational attainment, lower incomes, higher unemployment,
higher rates of substance abuse and suicide, and ... higher levels of
incarceration".
Canada must abandon out-dated, discriminatory approaches from the colonial
era, especially in relation to Indigenous peoples' lands, territories and
resources. What is urgently required is a principled framework consistent with
international human rights law.
Currently countless amendments and laws are being adopted that undermine
Indigenous peoples’ human rights, including Treaty rights. These legislative
measures were developed with little or no consultation with Aboriginal peoples
and without their consent. Such actions erode democracy, the rule of law and
integrity of Parliament.
Indigenous peoples’ rights and related government duties are an integral part
of Canada’s Constitution. They are affirmed in the
UN Declaration on the
Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The government should address this grievous
situation in good faith. Justice, peace and reconciliation remain crucial
objectives.
The omnibus budget bill C-45 introduced far-reaching changes. Amendments
include changes to complex land provisions in the
Indian Act that
compound existing problems. It also re-writes environmental laws, including
Navigable Waters Protection Act, Fisheries Act and
Hazardous
Materials Information Review Act, which were used to promote and
protect a sustainable environment, clean water and healthy oceans. The
integrity of the environment is being assaulted, to the detriment of present and
future generations.
Canada is estimated to contain nearly 32,000 major lakes and more than 2.25
million rivers. Yet a new
Navigation Protection Act reduces federal
environmental oversight and covers only 3 oceans, 97 lakes, and portions of 62
rivers. Certain key rivers in British Columbia along the path of the proposed
Northern Gateway pipeline are not included.
Resource development projects on traditional lands of Indigenous peoples will
be much less likely to be subject to rigorous public environmental impact
assessment. These changes are on top of cutbacks on environmental safeguards
already passed in the previous omnibus budget bill C-38. As concluded by the
David Suzuki Foundation: "In reality, amendments to environmental laws account
for about half of the 452-page bill. These amendments will weaken Canada’s
capacity for environmental governance, threatening our land, climate and
water."
International human rights standards require that decisions affecting the
rights of Indigenous peoples be made with their full and effective
participation. In the face of very serious issues concerning lands and resources
of Indigenous peoples, the appropriate standard is free, prior and informed
consent.
Canada’s Supreme Court has said that the "Crown ... cannot cavalierly run
roughshod over Aboriginal interests". There must be "reconciliation" between
the power of the state and the pre-existing sovereignty of Indigenous peoples.
"In all its dealings with Aboriginal peoples ... the Crown must act honourably.
Nothing less is required".
It is tragic that a hunger strike and Canada-wide protests are necessary, in
order for Indigenous peoples to bring attention to violations of their dignity,
Treaties and human rights. Our organizations strongly support human rights
education. We urge all Canadians to engage with Indigenous peoples, to help
educate others, and to support the current movement of awareness raising and
ensuring vital reforms.
For more information on events in your area, please see
www.idlenomore.ca.
Supported by:
Amnesty International Canada
Arctic Athabaskan Council
Assembly of
First Nations of Québec and Labrador/Assemblée des Premières Nations du Québec
et du Labrador
Canadian Friends Service Committee (Quakers)
Chiefs of
Ontario
Dene Nation/AFN Regional Office (NWT)
Earthroots
Federation of
Saskatchewan Indian Nations
First Nations Summit
First Peoples Human
Rights Coalition
Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee)
Haudenosaunee
of Kanehsatake
KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives
Lawyers
Rights Watch Canada
MiningWatch Canada
Union of British Columbia Indian
Chiefs
For further information contact John Tackaberry, Media Relations
(613)744-7667 #236
jtackaberry@amnesty.ca
