Canada to support United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples


Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau receives a headdress from the Tsuut'ina First Nation in Canada on March 4, 2016. Photo from Justin Trudeau / Twitter

The Canadian government shifted course and announced support for the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Canada was one of four governments that voted against the declaration in September 2007. But that's changing now that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is in charge.

"We are fully adopting this and working to implement it within the laws of Canada, which is our charter," Indigenous and Northern Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett, one of Trudeau's new appointees, told CBC News.

The United States, Australia and New Zealand were the other no votes against the declaration back in 2007. Along with Canada, all have since decided to support the document, which is not legally binding on any government.

The announcement came at the opening of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues on Monday. Canada, the United States and other nations are attending the meeting, which runs through May 20.

Get the Story:
Canada removing objector status to UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (CBC 5/10)
Canada Says It Will Support UN Indigenous Rights Declaration (AP 5/9)

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