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The Canadian Coalition of Algonquin Citizens is asking all Algonquins to send a clear united voice to the Canadian government to put action behind its proposed new relationship with the Aboriginal people of Canada by working to ensure that Indigenous people have international protection. The time has come to achieve what has eluded Indigenous peoples for far too long; a strong and effective international instrument elaborating their fundamental human rights.
Ten years ago an expert body of the United Nations brought forward a draft Declaration intended to establish minimum, global standards for the protection of the human rights of Indigenous peoples. The UN General Assembly called for the adoption of this Declaration as a major objective of the International Decade of the World's Indigenous People. The draft Declaration calls on all states to respect, protect and promote the right of Indigenous peoples to control their own lives and futures, to maintain and continue to develop their unique cultures and ways of life, and the to control and benefit from their lands, territories and resources. These fundamental human rights must not be denied A number of states, including Canada, spoke out strongly on rights vital to the well being and security of Indigenous peoples such as the right to self determination.
Sadly however, Canada's recent contributions to these negotiations have not been constructive. For example, in the area of lands and resource rights, Canada has suggested replacing the proposed international standards found in the draft declaration with a call for states to uphold national laws and practices, however flawed or biased they may be. Canadian human rights and social justice organizations are welcoming Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham's recent statement of support for the proposed United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, but continue to urge Canada to rethink its negotiation strategy so that real progress can be made toward the timely adoption of the much needed human rights standard.
With the support of the Grand Council of the Crees, four major Canadian human rights organizations -- Amnesty International Canada, Canadian Friends Service Committee, KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives and Rights and Democracy -- have called on the government to demonstrate publicly that its negotiating position on the Declaration will help advance the human rights protections so badly needed by Indigenous peoples around the world. The human rights organizations also called on the government of Canada to help advance the negotiation process by and that none of the articles of the Declaration should be subject to loop-hole language that condones lower or non-existent national standards. The four human rights organizations are urging members of the public to let the government know that they support a strong Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
"Effective international protection for the rights of Indigenous peoples is important not only to Indigenous peoples but to all Canadians," said Margaret Clare Ford, Clerk of the Canadian Friends Service Committee. "All Canadians should join us in urging their government to make a clear public commitment to a principled and constructive negotiating position that will see a meaningful Declaration on Indigenous Rights adopted by the United Nations."
In a recent media release dated April 13, 2005 Louise Arbour, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, at a meeting in Geneva said;” The UN draft Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples must be finalized and adopted within the next two years.”
“Be assured of my commitment, and that of my team, to provide all the assistance needed to help advance the adoption of the Declaration,” she told the meeting. Calling Indigenous peoples rights “a critical challenge for the international human rights system,” Ms. Arbour’s commitment to seeing the Declaration adopted in a timely manner is an important step toward the realization of international standards for indigenous peoples’ rights protected within the international human rights system.
“These are all encouraging developments that we hope will continue,” said Jean-Louis Roy, President of Rights & Democracy. “However, for real change to occur, States will have to accept that many of their current objections to the draft Declaration contradict their responsibilities to uphold and promote the rights of indigenous peoples already enshrined in existing international treaties, including the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.” (Rights & Democracy is a non-partisan organization with an international mandate. It was created by Canada's Parliament in 1988 to encourage and support the universal values of human rights and the promotion of democratic institutions and practices around the world.)
What can you do?
* Decide to take action by allowing your name to be included amongst other concerned Algonquins.
* Pass on this information and encourage others to participate as well.
* Ensure that your Aboriginal leaders are taking an effective role in asserting your inherent rights within the global community, thereby strengthening your rights, and the rights of future Algonquins, here in Canada.
* Insist on being informed about matters affecting your Indigenous rights.
* Demand that the government of Canada be held accountable to ethically and honestly meet its obligations in relation to the Aboriginal people of Canada.
Canada should promote and Sign the Draft Declaration on Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
* Ask that the Canadian government work to ensure that the process of advancing the Declaration can continue with a realistic timetable and process.
* Urge the Canadian government to use its influence to encourage other states to work constructively toward timely adoption of the Declaration.
* Welcome the positive role played by Canada in fostering dialogue between states and Indigenous peoples during this year’s meetings of the UN Working Group on the draft Declaration and point out that this dialogue has contributed to significant progress. Insist on greater positive action.
* Express concern that effective international standards are urgently needed to help ensure that the human rights of Indigenous peoples are recognized, protected and promoted in every region of the world. |
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The Canadian Coalition Of Algonquin Citizens
Mission
The Canadian Coalition Of Algonquin Citizens is an organization of individuals and groups working to defend and promote the human and collective rights of Algonquin peoples residing within the Canadian Federation. Our Mission is to Preserve, Promote and Advance the Culture, Health, Economic, Educational and Social Well Being of our People, - including our History, Natural Environment, Social Adaptations, Language and Spirituality- inclusive of All People of Algonquin Descent and Association residing within the Federation of Canada. This includes the right to self-determination affirmed in the Canadian Constitution, and acknowledged in the Charter of the United Nations, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The Canadian Coalition Of Algonquin Citizens works with individuals, local, regional, national and international organizations to promote recognition of the rights of Algonquin people, to improve dialogue between governments and Algonquin people, to encourage participation in the democratic process and access to resources for Algonquin people.
Vision
The Canadian Coalition Of Algonquin Citizens envisions the development of a unified Algonquin Nation reflective of the diverse responses to the many historical, political, social and environmental challenges faced by this proud Nation. The Canadian Coalition Of Algonquin Citizens establishes a unified voice which embodies the values, interests and priorities of all its members. Our actions shall be reflective of culturally and socially responsible values and principles agreeable to our history and accountable to our future as a distinct Indigenous society. |
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