As First Nations citizens, we have inherent Indigenous and Human Rights.
Many of us also have Treaty Rights.
The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) was adopted by the General Assembly on September 13, 2007, by a majority of 143 states in favour, 4 votes against (Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States) and 11 abstentions.
Years later Canada and the other four countries that voted against reversed their positions and now support UNDRIP.
Today, UNDRIP is the most comprehensive international instrument on the rights of Indigenous peoples. It establishes a universal framework of minimum standards for the survival, dignity and well-being of the Indigenous peoples of the world and it elaborates on existing human rights standards and fundamental freedoms as they apply to the specific situation of Indigenous peoples.
For more information on UNDRIP and the story of how it came to be visit:
Canadian Museum for Human Rights: UNDRIP
Booklet: United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
For additional information on the United Nations and UNDRIP visit:
