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Native leaders threaten to block ferries, roads over treaty disputes
Jeff Rud and Lindsay Kines, Times Colonist
Published: Monday, October 15, 2007
http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/scntory.html?id=49161070-48fc-403c-9f7d-c141289c28aa&k=79570
Tsawwasssen chief addresses legislature as first urban treaty introduced
By John Bermingham, The Province
Published: Tuesday, October 16, 2007
http://www.canada.com/theprovince/news/story.html?id=ec45a4b4-2d48-441e-9fd9-e93d554c73ba&k=58646
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http://www.nafc-aboriginal.com/PDF/UN%20Declaration%20on%20the%20Rights
%20of%20Indigenous%20Peoples%20-%20September%2014%202007.pdf
National Association of Friendship Centres
275 MacLaren Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K2P 0L9
September 14, 2007
For Immediate Release
Press Release
Canada's failure to adopt the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples ‘major defeat’ for urban Aboriginal peoples, says the NAFC
(September 14, 2007) – Ottawa, Ontario – The NAFC is deeply disappointed that the Government of Canada (Canada) voted against Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. It was unfortunate that Canada dismissed the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as not being “meaningful and effective”.
Canada’s action sends a provocative message to the international community that it does not support what has been described by the United Nations as a ‘triumph for indigenous peoples around the world’.
Canada missed a historic opportunity to take a leadership role in its commitment to human rights, yet, has chosen to stand outside the circle of the international community as it celebrates a major victory in establishing international human rights standards for Aboriginal peoples.
The NAFC is disappointed that the reasons stated for voting against the Declaration were as ‘clear as mud’ as Canada described the some of the text of Declaration as overly broad, unclear and capable of a wide variety of interpretations, faulty, unduly restrictive. Canada even speculated that the Declaration as non-binding document may establish a complete veto power over legislative action.
The NAFC believes that Canada’s actions tarnishes its reputation in not standing with the international community as it works to set the minimum international standards for the protection and promotion of the rights of indigenous peoples. In the spirit of transparency and accountability, existing and future laws, policies, and programs on urban Aboriginal peoples may not meet or be consistent with these minimal standards.
Canadians have stood proud as Canada has heeded the call from the United Nations and the international community to support those more unfortunate around the world, yet, the United Nations and the international community asked for our support and, in an unprecedented move, the Canada turned its back.
The National Association of Friendship Centres is a national Aboriginal organization providing programs and services to 116 Friendship Centres across the country.
Contact:
Peter Dinsdale
Executive Director
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Work (613) 563-4844 ext. 318
Cell (613) 327-5270
www.nafc.ca
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